Egg Incubation & Hatch Date Calculator
Pick your species, enter the date you set the eggs, and get the expected hatch date, candling schedule, and lockdown day - with a live progress bar showing where you are today. Track up to 5 clutches at once. Nothing uploaded.
Learn more: egg incubation cycles and species-specific timing
Why incubation times vary by species
Chicken eggs take 21 days but duck eggs take 28, Muscovy duck eggs take 35, and quail eggs take only 17. Lockdown timing (3 days before hatch) differs by species accordingly. Setting the wrong lockdown date for a duck clutch means the eggs get turned when they should not be - which can trap chicks in incorrect positions and prevent successful hatch. This calculator handles 8 species and automatically calculates all critical dates.
Candling and early detection
Candling means shining a bright light through the egg to check if the embryo is developing. For chickens, candle on day 7 to confirm development (look for a dark spot with visible blood vessels) and again on day 14 to check continued growth. By day 14 the egg should be mostly dark. Remove any clear eggs or those with blood rings promptly to prevent bacterial contamination. Different species have slightly different candling schedules - this calculator shows the correct dates for your clutch.
Lockdown: the final phase
Lockdown is the last 3 days before the expected hatch. During lockdown you stop turning the eggs, increase humidity to 65-75%, and do not open the incubator until all chicks have hatched and dried. The chick positions itself for hatching and relies on moisture to soften the inner membrane. Accurate lockdown timing is critical for successful hatches.
FAQ
How many days does it take for a chicken egg to hatch?
Chicken eggs incubate for 21 days at 99.5F (37.5C) with 50% humidity. Day 18 is lockdown - stop turning eggs and raise humidity to 65-70%. Most chicks pip on day 20-21. Some healthy eggs may hatch a day early or late.
When should I candle eggs during incubation?
For chickens, candle on day 7 to check for early development (look for dark spot with veins) and on day 14 to check for continued growth. Remove any clear or blood-ring eggs to prevent contamination. Ducks have the same schedule but longer overall incubation.
What is lockdown in egg incubation?
Lockdown is the final 3 days before expected hatch. Stop turning eggs, increase humidity to 65-75%, and do not open incubator. The chick positions itself for hatching and softens the inner membrane. Lockdown timing is species-specific.