Spring Hatching Season: What to Expect from Your First Incubation
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The snow is finally receding from the fields here southwest of Westlock, and if you listen closely to the breeze blowing across the Barrhead County hills, you can hear the unmistakable sound of spring: the hum of incubators and the faint chirping of new life.
At Straight Arrow Farms, spring is our busiest and most rewarding season. Our breeding pens are currently humming with activity, featuring everything from the whimsical top-knots of our standard-size Polish to the deep chocolate eggs of our Marans, the blue-egg-laying Ameraucanas, and our heavy-set Orpingtons. We are also preparing for our turkey hatches, which bring a whole different level of excitement to the brooder.
If you are embarking on your very first home incubation this season, here is a realistic look at what to expect during those transformative 21 to 28 days.
1. The Quiet Before the Storm (Setting the Eggs)
The first few days are often the most nerve-wracking because... nothing seems to be happening. You’ve carefully selected your fertile eggs, stabilized your incubator at 37.5°C (99.5°F), and now you wait.
During this time, your main job is monitoring. In our Alberta climate, spring humidity can swing wildly. Keep a close eye on your water reservoirs to ensure your humidity stays consistent—usually around 45-50% for the first stretch.
2. The "Candling" Reveal
Around Day 7 to 10, the magic becomes visible. Using a high-intensity light in a dark room, you’ll get your first glimpse of the developing embryos.
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The Network: You’ll see a tiny dark spot with a "spider web" of veins. This is the moment it feels real!
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The Diversity: If you are hatching a variety of breeds like we do, you’ll notice the differences early. Marans eggs, with their thick, dark shells, can be notoriously difficult to candle and may require a very strong light to see through the pigment. Ameraucana shells, though blue, are often much clearer to see through.
3. The Turkey Timeline
If you’ve added turkey eggs to your spring plans, remember that patience is a requirement. While your chicken eggs will be "zipping" at Day 21, your turkeys are only just entering their final week. Turkey eggs take approximately 28 days to hatch and often require a slightly higher attention to humidity detail, as their shells are quite robust.
4. The "Lockdown" Silence
Three days before your expected hatch (Day 18 for chickens, Day 25 for turkeys), the incubator goes into "Lockdown." You stop the turners, bump the humidity up to 65%, and—most importantly—you stop opening the lid.
This is the hardest part for first-timers. You’ll want to check on them, but every time the lid is lifted, that vital humidity escapes, potentially "shrink-wrapping" the chick inside its membrane. Trust the process and stay hands-off!
5. The First Pip and the "Zipping"
The "pip" is the first tiny hole a chick pokes through the shell. Once they pip, they may rest for up to 24 hours! They are busy absorbing the last of their yolk sac and strengthening their lungs.
Once they begin "zipping"—cutting a circle around the top of the egg—things move fast. It is a loud, messy, and incredibly energetic process. Don't be alarmed by the wobbling eggs or the loud chirping; it's all part of the communication between the chicks.
6. The Fluff-Out Period
Newborn chicks look like wet little dinosaurs. They need to stay in the incubator until they are completely dry and "fluffed out." They don't need food or water for the first 48 hours, so there is no rush to move them to the brooder. In fact, leaving them in the incubator for a few hours after hatching actually encourages their siblings to hatch!
Starting Your Flock with Intention
Whether you are looking for the striking appearance of a Polish chicken or the reliable production of an Orpington, hatching at home gives you a front-row seat to the wonders of the natural world.
At Straight Arrow Farms, we take pride in our "farm-to-skin" apothecary, but our hearts are just as much in our breeding pens. We believe that starting with high-quality, ethically managed stock is the foundation of a successful homestead.
Are you looking to add some color to your egg basket this year? Follow along with our 2026 breeding season updates at Straight Arrow Farms for tips, tricks, and a look at our latest hatches.