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There’s something downright magical about incubating chicken eggs at home. It’s part science experiment, part homestead skill, and part heart-melting family memory—all rolled into 21 days of anticipation.
Last year, we decided to incubate our own eggs, and I can confidently say… we were not prepared for how fun (and slightly addictive) it would be.
Why Incubating Eggs Is So Special
Watching chicks hatch isn’t just exciting—it’s an experience that brings the whole family together. From the moment you set the eggs in the incubator to the first tiny peep you hear, it becomes a daily check-in, a shared responsibility, and honestly… a bit of an obsession.
Our days quickly started sounding like:
- “Did you check the humidity?”
- “I think that one just moved!”
- “Was that a chirp?!”
And when hatch day finally arrived? Pure joy.
The Incubation Process (A Simple Breakdown)
If you’re new to incubating, don’t worry—it’s much easier than it sounds.
Here’s the basic process:
- Set Your Eggs
Place fertilized eggs into your incubator, pointy side down. - Maintain Temperature & Humidity
- Temperature: ~99.5°F
- Humidity: 40–50% (increase to 65–70% during the final days)
- Turn the Eggs
Eggs need to be turned multiple times a day (unless you have an automatic turner—highly recommend for sanity). - Candling (Optional but Fun!)
Around day 7–10, you can candle the eggs to see development inside. This quickly became a family favorite activity—like a tiny science lesson right in our kitchen. - Lockdown Period (Days 18–21)
Stop turning the eggs and increase humidity. Then… wait. This is the hardest part. - Hatch Day!
The chicks will begin to pip (crack the shell) and slowly work their way out. It can take time—patience is key!
The Best Part: Watching Them Hatch
Nothing—and I mean nothing—compares to watching that first chick break through the shell.
We all gathered around the incubator, whispering like we were in a delivery room. Every crack, every wiggle, every tiny chirp felt like a huge event.
And when they finally fluff up and wobble around? Instant family favorite moment.
It’s one of those experiences that sticks with you—and your kids will talk about it long after the chicks have grown.
Our Go-To Incubator
If you’re thinking about trying this yourself, having a reliable incubator makes all the difference.
We used one with:
- Automatic egg turning
- Built-in temperature and humidity control
- Clear viewing window (a MUST for all the staring you’ll do)
👉 You can check out the incubator we used here:
(Trust me—being able to watch everything without opening it constantly is worth it.)
A Few Honest Tips From Our Experience
Don’t panic over small fluctuations—consistency matters more than perfection. Resist the urge to “help” chicks hatch (they need to do it on their own). Expect some losses—it’s part of the process. Prepare to fall in love with tiny fluff balls
Why You Should Try It
Incubating eggs isn’t just about raising chickens—it’s about slowing down, learning together, and witnessing something truly incredible as a family.
It’s hands-on, it’s educational, and it’s full of little moments that turn into big memories.
And fair warning… once you hatch your own chicks, you may suddenly find yourself saying:
“Maybe we should do another batch…”
Final Thoughts
If you’ve ever thought about incubating eggs, take this as your sign to try it. It doesn’t have to be complicated or perfect to be meaningful.
All you really need is a good incubator, a little patience, and a family willing to gather around and wait for something amazing to happen.
Because those tiny cracks in the shell?
They turn into some pretty big moments.
From our homestead to yours,
Eliza