Getting Started: Incubation Guidance

Incubation Tips

Thank you for purchasing from Cul-De-Sac Coop. While we do not guarantee hatch success, we’re happy to provide general guidance based on standard incubation practices. Every incubator, egg batch, and environment is different - but proper setup and handling can help support better outcomes.

This information is provided as a courtesy and should not be considered a guarantee.

Before You Begin

  • Allow eggs to rest pointed end down for 12–24 hours upon arrival before placing them in the incubator.
  • Avoid washing the eggs. They are shipped unwashed to preserve their natural protective coating (the bloom).
  • Store eggs in a cool, stable room (55–65°F) out of direct sunlight if not incubating immediately. Avoid refrigerating.

Basic Incubation Guidelines

  • Set your incubator temperature to 99.5°F if using a forced-air incubator, or 101.5°F for still-air models.
  • Maintain humidity at 50–70% during days 1 through 17 of incubation.
  • Eggs should be gently turned at least three times per day during this period to prevent the embryo from sticking to the shell.
  • On day 17, stop turning the eggs and increase humidity to 65-75% - this is known as the lockdown phase.
  • Most chicks begin to hatch on day 21, but hatching may occur as early as day 20 or as late as day 23, depending on environmental conditions and breed.

Additional Tips

  • Place a reliable hygrometer and thermometer inside your incubator - don’t rely solely on built-in settings.
  • Candle eggs around day 7–10 to check development if desired.
  • Avoid touching or moving eggs as much as possible.  Less is best.  An automatic egg turner is preferred to avoid handling.
  • Avoid opening the incubator during lockdown (days 17–21) as this can drastically affect hatch rates.
  • Chicks may take several hours to fully emerge once pipping begins - this is normal.

Important Disclaimer

We do not guarantee fertility, hatch rate, or chick viability. Many factors affect the outcome of incubation, including incubator performance, handling during shipping, turning consistency, and temperature fluctuations.
By purchasing hatching eggs from Cul-De-Sac Coop, you acknowledge that results vary and no outcome is guaranteed.