Hatching eggs in the mail is a bit like online dating—full of excitement, anticipation, and occasionally, a little heartbreak. But don’t worry, we’re here to help you crack the code to a successful hatch!
Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned chicken tender (see what we did there?), this guide will walk you through best practices for handling shipped eggs, increasing hatch rates, and avoiding common pitfalls.
Step 1: The Unboxing—Handle with Care!
Your long-awaited eggs have arrived! Before you rip into that box like a kid at Christmas, slow down. Inspect the package for damage and take photos before opening—this will be important if you need to file a claim with the seller or shipping carrier.
Once you open the box, check each egg for cracks or detached air cells (we’ll get into that in a sec). If any eggs are damaged but the box was fine, contact the seller—they should have a replacement or refund policy.
Step 2: Rest & Recover—Eggs Need a Timeout!
Shipped eggs go through a rollercoaster ride of bumps and temperature swings, which can mess with air cells (the little pocket of air inside the egg that helps the chick breathe before hatching).
Here’s what to do:
✅ Let eggs sit, pointy end down, for 12-24 hours at room temperature before putting them in the incubator. This allows the air cells to stabilize.
✅ DO NOT wash the eggs! That natural bloom protects them from bacteria.
✅ Candle them to check for damage. Hold a bright flashlight to the eggshell to see if the air cell has detached (floating around instead of staying in place).
Pro Tip: If the air cell is detached, keep the egg upright in an egg carton inside the incubator for the first few days instead of laying it on its side. This helps the embryo develop properly.
Step 3: The Incubation Station—Time to Set ‘Em Up!
Now that your eggs are rested and ready, it’s time to get your incubator game on point.
🌡 Temperature: 99.5°F (forced air) or 100°F (still air)
💧 Humidity: 40-50% for days 1-18, then bump to 60-65% for hatch time
🔄 Turning: For the first 7 days, we recommend NOT turning shipped eggs. This helps stabilize the air cells before movement begins.
Carton Method:
Instead of laying eggs flat, you can keep them in the carton (with the lid removed) and place the whole carton inside the incubator. This keeps the air cells stable and reduces handling.
How to turn using the carton method (after day 7):
🚨 Instead of rolling eggs, gently tilt the whole carton from side to side a few times a day. This provides enough movement without disturbing fragile air cells.
Using an Automatic Turner?
If you have an automatic turner, you can place the eggs in it right away, but keep it completely horizontal for the first 7 days without turning them. After day 7, turn it on and let it do its thing (IF THE AIR CELLS HAVE STABLIZED)!
Step 4: Candling & Checking In
Candling eggs isn’t just for fun—it’s a crucial step to check development!
🔦 Day 7: Look for veins—this means the chick is growing! Clear eggs are likely infertile or failed to develop.
🔦 Day 14: You should see a big, dark chick taking up most of the egg.
🔦 Day 18: Final candling before lockdown—make sure you have live chicks, not stink bombs (trust us, you do NOT want to open a rotten egg).
Step 5: Lockdown & Hatch Day—The Big Moment!
On day 18, it’s time for lockdown. This means:
🚫 No more turning!
💧 Increase humidity to 60-65%.
👀 Hands off—don’t open the incubator once pipping starts!
You’ll first see pipping (a tiny hole where the chick breaks through), then zipping (a crack forming all the way around the shell). The whole hatching process can take up to 24 hours—patience is key!
After hatching, leave chicks in the incubator until they’re fluffy and dry before moving them to the brooder.
Troubleshooting: Why Didn’t My Eggs Hatch?
Even with perfect conditions, shipped eggs will always have lower hatch rates than local ones (typically 50-75%). If you had a bad hatch, here’s what might’ve gone wrong:
❌ Detached or damaged air cells from rough shipping
❌ Temperature or humidity fluctuations during incubation
❌ Old eggs (fertility drops fast after 7-10 days)
❌ Bacteria or contamination (handle with clean hands!)
If you need help troubleshooting, reach out to us! We’re always happy to help fellow hatchers.
Final Thoughts: You’ve Got This!
Hatching shipped eggs isn’t always easy, but it’s one of the most rewarding experiences in poultry keeping. Follow these steps, stay patient, and soon you’ll be watching tiny fluffballs peck their way into the world.
Now go forth and hatch some magic! 🚀🐥
