Spring into Action: Everything You Need to Know About Hatching Chicks at Home

As we endure the freezing nights of winter followed by some beautiful sunny days - the promise of spring being just around the corner brings with it the excitement of knowing that we are nearing hatching season. For backyard chicken keepers, there's no better way to embrace the coming season than by introducing new life to your flock. While purchasing baby chicks or Point of Lay pullets is always a popular option, there's something special about hatching your own chicks from fertile eggs. This experience not only connects you more deeply with the lifecycle of your chickens but also serves as a great learning opportunity for the whole family.

In this detailed guide, we'll walk you through the process of hatching your own chicks, from preparation to the magical moment when those tiny beaks first break through their shells. So, let's dive in and explore the wonderful world of chicken hatching!

Before You Begin: Important Considerations

Before embarking on your hatching adventure, it's crucial to understand what you're signing up for. Here are some key points to consider:

1. Time Commitment: The incubation period for chicken eggs is 21 days. During this time, your eggs will require daily attention depending on your incubator setup.
2. Space Requirements: You'll need a well-ventilated, draft-free room that isn't a high-traffic area. This ensures a stable environment for your developing chicks.
3. Gender Ratio: It's important to remember that approximately 50% of your hatched chicks are likely to be roosters. Have a plan in place for what you'll do with male chicks as all suburbs in Melbourne, and no doubt all Australian cities, do not allow you to keep roosters.
4. Vaccination Challenges: For small-scale hatching, vaccinating your chicks is normally impractical and very expensive. Be prepared to raise unvaccinated chicks and learn all about the best practices in backyard chicken biosecurity and high-quality nutrition.
5. Long-term Commitment: Remember, those cute fluffy chicks will grow into adult chickens. Ensure you're prepared for the long-term care and housing of your new flock members and their changing nutritional needs as they grow.

Essential Equipment for Successful Hatching

To give your eggs the best chance of hatching into healthy chicks, you'll need some specialised equipment. Here's what you'll require:

1. Incubator

The incubator is the heart of your hatching operation. While there are many models available, look for one with the following features:

• Circulated air for even temperature distribution
• Digital thermostat for precise temperature control
• Humidity gauge
• Automatic egg turner (highly recommended)

Popular models include the Rcom and various Brinsea incubators. Research different options to find one that suits your needs and budget.

2. Thermometer and Hygrometer

Even if your incubator has built-in temperature and humidity readings, it's wise to have separate devices to verify all readings. Maintaining the correct temperature (37.5°C), and humidity levels (45%-65% depending on the incubation stage), is crucial for successful hatching.

3. Egg Turner

While it's certainly possible to turn eggs manually, an automatic egg-turner is a worthwhile investment to maintain your sanity. It ensures the consistent turning of incubated eggs throughout the day, which is vital for healthy chick development.

Sourcing Fertile Eggs

If you don't have your own rooster or if want different breeds than you currently own, you'll need to purchase fertile eggs. Many online suppliers specialise in providing different chicken breeds for hatching but standards and fertility can vary wildly. Talking Hens is starting to produce a range of Heritage fertile eggs, chicks and pullets which will increasingly become available for purchase by customers Australia-wide (fertile eggs). When selecting eggs, consider:

• The breed's characteristics and suitability for your climate
• The supplier's reputation and reviews
• Vaccination status, previous diseases and bloodlines of parents
• Shipping methods and timing to ensure the eggs arrive in good condition

The Incubation Process: A Step-by-Step Guide

Now that you have your equipment and eggs, it's time to start the incubation process. Follow these steps for the best chance of success:

1. Setting Up the Incubator

Cleanliness is Key: Before placing your eggs, thoroughly clean and sanitise your incubator. Use a 10% bleach solution, followed by warm, soapy water and a thorough rinse. This prevents any harmful bacteria from affecting your developing chicks.

Stabilise the Environment: Turn on your incubator at least 12 hours before setting the eggs. This allows the temperature and humidity to stabilise, creating the perfect environment for incubation. Make sure you confirm all temperature and humidity indicators on the incubator using your independent gauges. 

Location Matters: Place your incubator in a room with a stable ambient temperature, away from direct sunlight and drafts. Add heating or cooling in the incubator room if temperatures fall below 16 °C or above 26 °C as a rule of thumb.

2. Placing the Eggs

Correct Orientation: Place your eggs in the incubator with the larger end facing up. This allows the air cell contained inside the egg to remain in the correct position for the developing chick.

Temperature and Humidity Settings: For the first 18 days, maintain a temperature of 37.5°C and a humidity level of 45%-50%.

3. Turning the Eggs

Frequency: Eggs should be turned at least three times a day to prevent the embryo from sticking to the shell membrane.

Automatic Turning: If you're using an automatic egg turner, ensure it's set to turn the eggs every hour.

Manual Turning: If turning by hand, gently roll the eggs to a new position, marking one side with an 'X' and the other with an 'O' to keep track of turns.

4. Monitoring and Adjusting

Daily Checks: Monitor the temperature and humidity daily, making small adjustments as needed.

Candling: Around day 7 and again on day 14, you can candle the eggs to check for development. Use a bright light source in a dark room to see inside the egg. Look for veins and movement, discarding any eggs that show no signs of development.

5. The Final Days (Day 18-21)

Stop Turning: On day 18, stop turning the eggs or switch off the egg-turning function on the incubator.

Increase Humidity: Raise the humidity to around 65%-70% for the final days of incubation.

Prepare for Hatching: Lay the eggs on their side in the incubator. This allows the chicks to position themselves correctly for hatching.

6. The Magical Moment: Hatching

As day 21 approaches, the excitement builds. Here's what to expect:

1. Pipping: Around day 18-19, chicks will begin to pip, or break through the inner membrane of the egg. You might hear soft cheeping from inside the eggs.
2. Breaking Through: Over the next 24-48 hours, chicks will work on breaking through the shell. This process can take several hours for each chick and be exhausting.
3. Patience is Key: Resist the urge to help chicks out of their shells. This process helps them build strength and prepare for life outside the egg.
4. Maintaining Humidity: Keep the incubator closed as much as possible during this time to maintain humidity levels. 

Post-Hatch Care

Once your chicks have hatched and dried off, it's time to move them to a brooder. Here's what you'll need:

1. A brooder box or container with high sides
2. A safe, low-energy heat source (chick heat lamp or chick heating plate)
3. Chick starter feed
4. Fresh water provided in a drinker designed for baby chicks to avoid the risk of them drowning
5. Soft bedding material such as hemp that is highly absorbent of moisture and smells and has antibacterial properties
6. Maintain a temperature of around 35°C in the brooder for the first week, gradually reducing it by about 2.5°C each week until the chicks are fully feathered. Chicks are unable to regulate their own body temperature until they are around 6 weeks of age so must have supplement heat. 

A Rewarding Experience

Hatching your own chicks can be a magical experience that connects you intimately with the miracle of life. While it requires dedication and attention to detail, the reward of watching those tiny beaks break through their shells is something quite special.

As you embark on this journey, remember that each hatch is a learning experience. Don't be discouraged if your first attempt isn't 100% successful – even experienced hatchers don't achieve perfect results every time.

With the arrival of spring, there's no better time to try your hand at hatching. Whether you're expanding your existing flock or starting your chicken-keeping journey, the experience of bringing baby chicks into the world is quite unforgettable.

So, gather your equipment, source your fertile eggs, and prepare for an adventure in avian husbandry. Before you know it, you'll be welcoming fluffy new additions to your backyard flock, all thanks to your own efforts and care.

Happy hatching!