Chicken Hatch Date Calculator
Enter the date you set your eggs in the incubator to get your candling, lockdown, and hatch dates.
Hatch dateEnter the date you set the eggs
Incubation timeline
Day 7: candle · Day 14: candle again · Day 18: lockdown (stop turning, raise humidity) · Day 21: hatch.
How we calculate it
Candle = set date + 7 days. Lockdown = set date + 18 days. Hatch = set date + 21 days.
Based on:
- Chicken eggs hatch in 21 days; candle at 7, 14, and 18 days (Mississippi State Extension)
- Stop turning and raise humidity for the final 3 days (lockdown) (Penn State Extension)
- Embryo development and candling stages, day by day (Mississippi State Extension)
Figures are typical guidelines for planning. Your birds, breed, climate, and feed will vary.
Frequently asked questions
How long do chicken eggs take to hatch?
Chicken eggs take 21 days to hatch under proper incubation (about 99.5°F / 37.5°C with correct humidity). Some hatch a day early or late.
When should I candle eggs?
Candle around day 7 to check for veining and development, and again around day 14. Remove any clear or non-developing eggs.
What is lockdown in incubation?
Lockdown is day 18, when you stop turning the eggs, raise humidity, and leave the incubator closed until they hatch on day 21.