IncubatorPro
Free tool

Egg Hatch Date Calculator

Pick the date you set your eggs and the type of egg. The calculator shows when to candle, when to go into lockdown and when to expect chicks.

By the IncubatorPro team · Updated 26 September 2026

Calculate your hatch date

First candling–
Second candling–
Lockdown: stop turning, raise humidity–
Expected hatch day–

Hatch days are averages. Chicks can arrive a day early or late depending on temperature, egg size and breed.

How the dates are worked out

Day 1 is the first full day after you set the eggs. Chicken eggs hatch on about day 21, so lockdown (when you stop turning and raise humidity) starts on day 18, three days before hatch. The same three-day rule works for the other species in the calculator.

Candling days are a guide: day 7 is the earliest you can reliably see veins in white chicken eggs, and day 14 lets you remove any eggs that stopped developing. Brown and speckled eggs are harder to candle, so give them an extra day or two.

Incubation periods at a glance

EggDays to hatchLockdown from
Chicken21Day 18
Japanese quail17–18Day 14–15
Guinea fowl26–28Day 24
Duck (most breeds)28Day 25
Turkey28Day 25
Goose28–353 days before hatch
Muscovy duck35Day 32

Why chicks hatch early or late

A day either side is normal. Consistently early hatches usually mean the incubator ran slightly hot; late or drawn-out hatches usually mean it ran cool or the eggs were stored for a long time before setting. See our temperature and humidity guide and hatch troubleshooting guide.

Hatch with an automatic incubator

Every model has automatic turning, digital temperature and humidity control and a 2-year warranty. Pay cash on delivery or by EFT.

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IncubatorPro 360

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IncubatorPro 720

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FAQ

Common questions

How many days does it take for a chicken egg to hatch?+

About 21 days at the correct temperature. Chicks may start pipping on day 20 and some hatch on day 22.

When should I stop turning eggs?+

Three days before the expected hatch: day 18 for chicken eggs. This is called lockdown.

Do I count the day I set the eggs as day 1?+

No. The day you set the eggs is day 0; the next full day is day 1.

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