Hatching Baby Chickens: The Journey from Egg to Chaos
- May 26
- 3 min read
So, you’ve decided to bring some fluffy, chirping joy into your life by hatching baby chickens in an incubator? Buckle up, because this adventure will be equal parts heartwarming, nerve-wracking, and straight-up ridiculous.
Step 1: The Incubator Drama Begins
Hatching chicks isn’t just about tossing some eggs into a warm box and waiting. No, no. You’re essentially playing Mother Nature with a glorified toaster oven, and that takes commitment.
The Setup: AKA, Welcome to Your New Obsession
Grab yourself a good incubator - preferably one that doesn’t require constant micromanagement, unless you enjoy suffering.
Set the temperature to a balmy 99.5°F because apparently, chickens have very specific climate preferences.
Humidity matters! Aim for 45–55% for the first 18 days, then bump it up to 65–75% for lockdown. Yes, “lockdown” is an actual term, because things get REAL.
The Waiting Game
For 21 days, you will stare at these eggs like they hold the secrets of the universe. You’ll question every tiny movement, every sound, and probably talk to them, hoping they’ll respond. (They won’t. Yet.)
Step 2: The Great Hatch-a-palooza
At around day 21, the magic happens. You’ll hear tiny peeps from inside the eggs, which is equal parts adorable and mind-blowing. Soon, little cracks will appear, and the chaos begins.
What to Expect:
Some chicks will pop out like they’ve got places to be. Others will take their sweet time, making you question everything.
They’ll look ugly at first. Wet, weird, confused. Resist the urge to “help” them hatch - it’s like opening the oven too early on a souffle.
Once fully emerged, they’ll dry off and, within a few hours, turn into fluffy balls of pure joy. Congratulations, you’re now responsible for fragile, needy, chirping infants!
Step 3: The Post-Hatch Chaos (AKA Baby Chicken Parenting 101)
Now that you have chicks, it’s time to keep them alive. Here’s what they need:
A Brooder Box (Basically, Chick Kindergarten)
A heat source, like a heat lamp or plate. Set it to 95°F for the first week and gradually lower it.
A safe, cozy enclosure with proper bedding. Paper towels work great at first - less mess, more grip.
Food and water! Use a shallow dish for water so they don’t dive in like tiny, feathery maniacs.
Chick Shenanigans You Should Expect
They will nap randomly, often in positions that look concerning. Resist the urge to poke them every 10 minutes.
They will try to fly before they should, resulting in dramatic faceplants.
They will poop constantly. No amount of preparation will prepare you for the sheer scale of chick poop.
Step 4: Graduation to Real Chickenhood
After about 6-8 weeks, your chicks will be big enough to transition outdoors. By this point, they will:
Have developed actual feathers.
Have personalities ranging from “sweet angel” to “chaotic little tyrant.”
Demand treats and attention like they own the place.
Eventually, they’ll join the flock and start their own chicken adventures—whether that’s laying eggs, bossing other chickens around, or finding new ways to make you question your life choices but we'll write another blog about that later!
Final Thoughts
Raising baby chicks is equal parts rewarding and ridiculous. You’ll experience moments of pure joy, minor panic attacks, and more poop-cleaning than you ever thought possible. But in the end? Totally worth it. So, if you’re ready for sleepless nights, fluffy cuddles, and a never-ending supply of poultry-related drama - welcome to the world of chicken parenthood!
Comments