Egg Incubation Guide: Temperature, Humidity, and Turning Schedules for Hatching Eggs

Hatching eggs in an incubator is a rewarding but precise process. Small deviations in temperature, humidity, or rotation frequency can dramatically affect hatch rates. This guide combines a hatch date calculator with complete reference data for temperature, humidity, and turning schedules, so you have everything you need in one place.

Enter your incubation start date and bird type (chicken or duck) to receive the expected hatch date and lockdown date. The lockdown date — when egg rotation stops and humidity is raised — is day 18 for chickens and day 25 for ducks.

The guide displays ideal and range temperatures in Celsius or Fahrenheit, humidity requirements for both the main incubation period and the lockdown period, rotation frequency guidance (3–5 times daily for chickens, 4–6 for ducks), and a list of critical management notes for each species.

A days-until-hatch countdown updates from the current date, so you always know how far through the incubation period you are.

Temperature and humidity requirements are drawn from The Poultry Club of Great Britain incubation guidelines, AHDB Poultry recommendations, and University of Minnesota Extension poultry hatching guides. Chicken incubation parameters (37.5°C, 50–55% humidity) and duck parameters (37.5°C, 55–60% humidity) are consistent across all major poultry science literature.

Select your bird type and enter the date you set the eggs. The hatch date and lockdown date will appear immediately. Use the temperature and humidity panels as a quick reference throughout the incubation period. On the lockdown date, stop rotating eggs, increase humidity to 65–70% (chickens) or 70–75% (ducks), and avoid opening the incubator lid until hatching is complete.