Incubation Period and Incubator Operation for Eggs of Domestic Birds PDF Print E-mail
Sunday, 22 June 2008

Department of Animal Science
Oklahoma State University

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

Incubation Period and Incubator Operation for Eggs of Domestic Birds

Requirement

Chicken and Bantam

Turkey

Duck1

Muscovy Duck

Goose

Guinea

Pheasant

Peafowl

Bobwhite Quail

Coturnix Quail

Chukar Partridge

Grouse

Ostrich

Emu

Rhea

Incubation Period (days)

21

28

28

35-37

28-34

28

23-28

28-30

23-24

17

23-24

25

42

52

36-40

Forced-Air Operating Temperature2
(degrees F., dry bulb)

99.75

99.25

99.5

99.5

99.25

99.75

99.75

99.25

99.75

99.75

99.75

99.75

97.6

97.6

97.6

Humidity
(degrees F., wet bulb)

85-87

83-85

84-86

84-86

86-88

83-85

86-88

83-85

84-86

84-86

80-82

82-86

68-70

74-77

74-77

Do Not Turn Eggs After

19th day

25th day

25th day

31st day

25th day

25th day

21st day

25th day

21st day

15th day

21st day

22nd day

39th day

49th day

34th day

Operating Temperature During Last 3 Days of Incubation
(degrees F., dry bulb)

99

98.5

98.75

98.75

98.5

99

99

98.5

99

99

99

99

97

97

97

Humidity During Last 3 Days of Incubation
(degrees F. wet bulb)

90-94

90-94

90-94

90-94

390-94

90-94

92-95

90-94

90-94

90-94

90-94

90-94

70

   

Open Ventilation Holes One-Fourth

10th day

14th day

12th day

15th day

1st day

14th day

12th day

14th day

12th day

8th day

12th day

12th day

     

Open Ventilation Holes Further if Needed To Control Temperature

18th day

25th day

25th day

30th day

25th day

24th day

20th day

25th day

20th day

14th day

20th day

21st day

     

1It has been reported that duck eggs hatch better in stiff‑air incubators than in forced‑air incubators.

2For still‑air incubators add 2‑30F. to the recommended operating temperatures.

3Better hatchability may be obtained if goose eggs are sprinkled with warm water or dipped in lukewarm water for half a minute each day during the last half of the incubation period.

(Information combined with Coop. Ext. Sev. Cir. 530, from Clemson University, Clemson, SC)

 

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