The air humidity is increased towards the end of the breeding with poultry eggs, it softens the hard
membrane inside the egg. Without the increased humidity, the chicks cannot break neither through the
membrane nor through the egg shell. Yet, the humidity should not be increased too much either, as
the chicks might drown.
Note:
The humidity is monitored with a so-called hygrometer. It is nearly impossible to keep the hu-
midity as exact as the temperature, especially in small incubators. Just try to keep it as exact as pos-
sible.
The temperature is the significant criteria. Even a small deviation (e. g. a couple of degrees) can ruin
the breeding process or lead to a bad result.
Important:
The air humidity changes just like the season.
If the breeding is carried out in January and February, it is very difficult to keep the humidity at the de-
sired level, as the external humidity is rather low (depending on the location).
In June and July, the external humidity usually is higher, leading the humidity in the incubator to be
higher than desired. To avoid these problems, change the water surface in the incubator: To increase
the humidity and thus the water surface, place an additional container with water/a few small moist
sponges inside the incubator. Alternatively, the eggs can be sprayed with fine water mist. To reduce
the humidity, decrease the water surface and use smaller containers.
6. How long is the incubation time?
Poultry type
Incubation time
[normal deviation: 1–2 days]
Chicken
20–21 days
Duck
28 days
Pigeon
18 days
Goose
30 days
Quail
16–18 days
7. Poultry eggs: When should I start to turn and at what frequency? From which moment on-
wards do they not to be turned any longer?
The incubator does not have an automatic turning mechanism, thus the eggs need to be turned
by hand.
The embryos are very sensitive during the first days, therefore shakes should be avoided .
This also means that the eggs should only be turned from the fourth day onward. The easiest method
of assistance is to carefully mark the egg on two opposite areas, to see to which area the egg needs to
be turned to. It is recommended to turn the eggs 5 times a day with a minimum of 90°.
Additionally, the incubator should stay closed within the first three days of breeding, if possible. This
allows for a better climate.
Important:
During the last two to three days of the breeding process, the eggs must not be
turned any longer.
As the chicks are finding a hatching position, thus the position must not be
changed any more.
8. What is to be paid attention to during the last days of the breeding process?
During the last two or three days before hatching, the poultry eggs must not only not be turned any
more, but also the entire incubator needs to stay closed. The humid, warm atmosphere needs to stay
consistent during the last days of the breeding, to soften the egg membrane and enables the hatching
process.
Note: Most chicks do not cope with a complete collapse of the climate.
9. Poultry eggs: What happens after hatching?
Congratulations, your chicks have hatched! Have a little patience, as the freshly hatched chicks should
stay in the incubator for approx. 24 hours longer, to be able to recover and dry off.
© by WilTec Wildanger Technik GmbH Item 50039, 50041, 51074–51077, 51271–51274
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