Incubation periods by species
| Species | Days to hatch | Stop turning (lockdown) |
|---|---|---|
| Coturnix quail | 17–18 | Day 15 |
| Chicken | 21 | Day 18 |
| Bobwhite quail | 23–24 | Day 20 |
| Pheasant | 23–26 | Day 21 |
| Guinea fowl | 26–28 | Day 24 |
| Duck, turkey | 28 | Day 25 |
| Peafowl | 28–30 | Day 25 |
| Goose | 28–34 | Day 27 |
| Muscovy duck | 35–37 | Day 32 |
Where sources give a range, the calculator uses a typical value (30 days for geese, 27 for guineas). Small breeds and fresh eggs tend to hatch on the early side. A cool incubator or old eggs push the hatch late.
Day 0 or day 1?
Hatchery convention counts the day you set the eggs as day 0, so chicken eggs set on a Sunday evening hatch on the Sunday three weeks later. Some calendars count the setting day as day 1, which is why hatch dates you see online sometimes disagree by a day. The schedule above shows both the day number and the calendar date, so you don't have to work it out.
Turning and lockdown
Turn eggs at least 3 times a day (an odd number, so they don't spend every night on the same side), or let an automatic turner do it. Three days before the expected hatch, stop turning, take out the turner, lay the eggs flat and raise the humidity. Then resist opening the lid. A sudden drop in humidity can "shrink-wrap" chicks that have already pipped.
Candling
Shine a bright light through the egg in a dark room. By the first candling you should see a network of veins spreading from a dark spot. Clear eggs are infertile. A red ring with no veins means an early embryo has died, and that egg should come out before it spoils.
Gear that helps
- Forced-air incubator with automatic turner
- Separate digital thermometer/hygrometer (built-in readouts drift)
- LED egg candler
- Brooder setup ready before hatch day
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Frequently asked questions
Can eggs hatch on day 22 or 23?
Yes. Chicken eggs commonly hatch from day 20 to day 22, and late hatches usually come from a slightly cool incubator. Wait two or three days after the due date and candle before you discard anything.
Should I help a chick hatch?
Usually not. Hatching from external pip can take 12–24 hours, and most of that time the chick is absorbing the yolk and resting.
Do duck eggs need different humidity?
Waterfowl eggs are often run a little more humid and benefit from cooling and misting later in incubation. Follow your incubator manual's waterfowl settings.
Sources
- Mississippi State University Extension: Incubation duration periods
- Mississippi State University Extension: Important incubation factors
- University of Maryland Extension, FS-1114: Hatching Eggs at Home
Last reviewed October 2026. These are planning estimates for hobby flocks. For sick birds, contact a poultry vet or your state extension office.