How long do chicken eggs take to hatch?

Chicken eggs hatch in 21 days. Mississippi State runs a forced-air incubator at 100°F and the University of Missouri targets 99.5°F; a still-air incubator needs to read 2 to 3 degrees higher at the top of the eggs. A day either side of 21 is not unusual, because warm incubators run fast and cool ones run slow.

Lockdown is the final stretch (the last 3 days for chickens, starting after day 18) when you stop turning the eggs, raise humidity to about 65–70%, and keep the incubator closed so chicks can position for hatch.

When should I candle my eggs?

For chicken eggs, Mississippi State suggests a first test after 4 to 7 days, to spot veining and remove clear eggs, and a second after 14 to 16 days. Candle in a dark room and handle the eggs gently so they don't cool much.

Why didn't my eggs hatch on the expected day?

Temperature is the usual suspect. An incubator that runs consistently cool produces a late hatch and one that runs warm produces an early one, and Mississippi State notes that a thermometer off by one degree for 21 days can seriously interfere with the embryos. Eggs stored more than about a week before setting also hatch less reliably.

Why does the calculator show a hatch window for some species?

Because the references disagree. Goose eggs are listed at 28 to 34 days by one extension service and 29 to 31 by another, and emus range from 46 to 58. Where sources differ we plan on the day they converge on and show the full span, so an early pip doesn't surprise you.

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Egg incubation calculator

Enter the day you set your eggs and get your whole hatch on a timeline — candling days, lockdown, and hatch day — for 16 species from chickens to emus. Or start from the day you want chicks and work backwards.

What are you hatching?Date eggs were set

The classic 21-day hatch, and the one number every source agrees on. Stop turning after day 18, raise the humidity, and keep the lid shut until the chicks are dry.

0
Set eggsWed, October 7, 2026
Eggs go in the incubator. Begin turning (or confirm the auto-turner is on).
7
First candlingWed, October 14, 2026
Look for spider-web veining. Remove clears and early quitters.
14
Second candlingWed, October 21, 2026
Embryos should fill most of the egg with a clear air cell. Remove any quitters.
18
LockdownSun, October 25, 2026
Stop turning, raise humidity, and keep the incubator closed until hatch.
21
Hatch dayWed, October 28, 2026
Pips and zips! Leave the chicks in until fluffy and dry, up to 24 hours.

Incubator settings for chicken eggs

Temperature: 100°F forced-air (add 2–3°F in a still-air incubator)
Humidity to day 18: about 54–59% (wet bulb 85–87°F)
Humidity for the hatch: about 68% (wet bulb 90°F)
Stop turning: after day 18
Open the vents further: day 18

Settings from Mississippi State: Important Incubation Factors. Your incubator's manual wins if it disagrees.

Downloads a .ics file that works with Apple, Google, and Outlook calendars.

Incubation periods by species

“Plan on” is the day the calendar uses. “Sources say” is the full span across the references we read, so you know how early to be ready. Each species has its own page with the settings and what every source prints.

Species	Plan on	Sources say	Stop turning after	Candle around
Chicken	21 days	21 days	day 18	days 7 & 14
Coturnix Quail	17 days	16–18 days	day 15	days 6 & 11
Bobwhite Quail	23 days	23–24 days	day 20	days 8 & 15
Chukar Partridge	23 days	22–24 days	day 20	days 8 & 15
Duck	28 days	28 days	day 25	days 9 & 18
Muscovy Duck	35 days	33–37 days	day 31	days 12 & 23
Turkey	28 days	28 days	day 25	days 9 & 18
Goose	30 days	28–34 days	day 25	days 10 & 20
Guinea Fowl	28 days	26–28 days	day 25	days 9 & 18
Pheasant	24 days	23–28 days	day 21	days 8 & 16
Peafowl	28 days	28–30 days	day 25	days 9 & 18
Grouse	25 days	25 days	day 22	days 8 & 16
Pigeon	17 days	17 days	day 15	days 6 & 11
Ostrich	42 days	36–45 days	day 38	—
Emu	52 days	46–58 days	day 48	—
Rhea	40 days	36–44 days	day 36	—

Hatching your first clutch? Start with our beginner's guide to backyard chickens and browse breed profiles to pick who goes in the incubator next.

Common questions

How long do chicken eggs take to hatch?: Chicken eggs hatch in 21 days. Mississippi State runs a forced-air incubator at 100°F and the University of Missouri targets 99.5°F; a still-air incubator needs to read 2 to 3 degrees higher at the top of the eggs. A day either side of 21 is not unusual, because warm incubators run fast and cool ones run slow.
What is lockdown?: Lockdown is the final stretch (the last 3 days for chickens, starting after day 18) when you stop turning the eggs, raise humidity to about 65–70%, and keep the incubator closed so chicks can position for hatch.
When should I candle my eggs?: For chicken eggs, Mississippi State suggests a first test after 4 to 7 days, to spot veining and remove clear eggs, and a second after 14 to 16 days. Candle in a dark room and handle the eggs gently so they don't cool much.
Why didn't my eggs hatch on the expected day?: Temperature is the usual suspect. An incubator that runs consistently cool produces a late hatch and one that runs warm produces an early one, and Mississippi State notes that a thermometer off by one degree for 21 days can seriously interfere with the embryos. Eggs stored more than about a week before setting also hatch less reliably.
Why does the calculator show a hatch window for some species?: Because the references disagree. Goose eggs are listed at 28 to 34 days by one extension service and 29 to 31 by another, and emus range from 46 to 58. Where sources differ we plan on the day they converge on and show the full span, so an early pip doesn't surprise you.

Where these numbers come from

Important Incubation Factors. Mississippi State University Extension.
Development of the Chick (ASC-195). Tony Pescatore and Jacquie Jacob, University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension. December 2012.
Hatching and Brooding Small Numbers of Chicks (AG-FO-0631). Melvin L. Hamre, Minnesota Extension Service, University of Minnesota. Reviewed 1990.
Care and Incubation of Hatching Eggs. Dr. Tom W. Smith, Mississippi State University, Poultry Science.
Testing Incubated Eggs for Embryo Development. Mississippi State University Extension.
Raising Ratites: Ostriches, Emu, and Rheas (PNW 494). James C. Hermes, Pacific Northwest Extension (Oregon State University). July 1996.
Reproduction of Ratites. Thomas N. Tully, Jr., DVM, Merck Veterinary Manual. Reviewed July 2021.
Small Flock Series: Incubation of Poultry (G8353). Jesse J. Lyons, University of Missouri Extension. Revised September 2017.
Reasons for Poor Hatches. University of Illinois Extension.

We read each document ourselves and last checked this page against them on October 5, 2026. Where they disagree, we show you the disagreement instead of picking a winner quietly.

Get a nudge on lockdown day

Log the hatch in PoultryPal and it counts down with you. Premium adds lockdown and hatch-day reminders, so day 18 never sneaks up on you. Free to download on iOS and Android.