Selecting high-quality eggs is the first step to a successful hatch. Even with the best incubator and ideal conditions, poor-quality eggs won’t hatch well.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
✅ How to choose the best eggs for incubation
✅ Why egg size, shape, and shell quality matter
✅ How to avoid eggs that lower hatch rates
✅ Candling tips to check egg fertility before incubation
Follow these best practices to maximize your hatch success!
🔹 Why Egg Selection is Crucial for Hatching Success
Hatch rate depends on egg quality. Poor-quality eggs often result in:
❌ Embryo deaths during incubation
❌ Weak or deformed chicks
❌ Unhatched eggs (infertile or early embryo failure)
To improve hatch rates, selecting the right eggs is just as important as temperature, humidity, and turning during incubation.
🔹 Characteristics of the Best Eggs for Incubation
Here’s a checklist for choosing high-quality hatching eggs:
✔️ Fertilized Eggs Only – Only fertile eggs can hatch. Infertile eggs are a waste of space.
✔️ Medium-Sized Eggs – Avoid too large or too small eggs, as they may not hatch properly.
✔️ Even Oval Shape – Irregular eggs (too pointy or round) can cause chick deformities.
✔️ Smooth, Crack-Free Shell – Cracks allow bacteria inside, reducing hatch rates.
✔️ Fresh Eggs (7 Days or Less) – Older eggs lose moisture and lower hatch success.
✔️ Clean, but Unwashed – Washing removes the egg’s natural protective coating.
💡 Tip: The best eggs come from healthy, well-fed breeding stock.
🔹 What Eggs Should You AVOID for Incubation?
🚫 Cracked or Thin-Shelled Eggs
- Weak shells break easily, leading to bacterial infections.
- ❌ Solution: Use eggs with firm, intact shells.
🚫 Over-Sized or Small Eggs
- Too large eggs can contain double yolks, leading to embryo death.
- Too small eggs may have weak chicks.
- ❌ Solution: Choose medium-sized eggs typical for the breed.
🚫 Dirty or Washed Eggs
- Dirt and feces increase bacterial contamination.
- Washing removes the protective cuticle that keeps bacteria out.
- ❌ Solution: Use clean eggs, but don’t wash them.
🚫 Old or Stored Too Long
- Hatch rate drops after 7 days.
- ❌ Solution: Use eggs stored no longer than 7 days at 55-60°F (13-16°C).
🚫 Irregular Shapes (Pointy, Round, Flat-Sided)
- Poorly shaped eggs = higher embryo death.
- ❌ Solution: Choose oval, symmetrical eggs.
🚫 Porous or Rough-Shelled Eggs
- Poor shell quality = moisture loss and embryo death.
- ❌ Solution: Pick eggs with smooth, strong shells.
🔹 How to Store Eggs Before Incubation
If you can’t incubate eggs immediately, store them properly to keep them viable:
✅ Store at 55-60°F (13-16°C) – Too warm = embryo starts growing too soon. Too cold = embryo dies.
✅ Keep Humidity at 75% – Prevents moisture loss inside the egg.
✅ Turn Stored Eggs Daily – If stored for more than 3 days, turn them once daily to prevent the yolk from sticking.
✅ Don’t Store Over 7 Days – Hatch rates drop after a week of storage.
💡 Tip: Never store eggs in a refrigerator – it’s too cold and kills embryos!
🔹 How to Check Egg Quality with Candling
Candling = shining a light through an egg to check inside. It helps spot cracks, blood spots, or defects before incubation.
How to Candle Eggs Before Incubation:
1️⃣ Use a Bright LED Flashlight – A proper egg candler works best.
2️⃣ Go to a Dark Room – The darker, the better!
3️⃣ Hold the Light Under the Egg – Tilt it slightly.
4️⃣ Check for Internal Cracks, Blood Spots, or Air Cell Size.
✅ Good Egg: Clear inside, smooth shell, strong air cell.
❌ Bad Egg: Blood spots, internal cracks, too big/small air cell.
💡 Tip: Don’t candle too long – excessive heat can damage the embryo.
🔹 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
❓ Can I incubate eggs from store-bought cartons?
❌ No! Store eggs are not fertilized and won’t hatch.
❓ How do I know if an egg is fertilized?
You’ll see a bullseye pattern on the yolk when cracked open. Use eggs from a farm with roosters.
❓ Can I wash dirty eggs before incubation?
❌ No! Washing removes the protective cuticle and increases infection risk.
❓ How long can eggs be stored before incubating?
✔️ Up to 7 days for best hatch rates.
❓ Can I incubate double-yolk eggs?
❌ No! Double yolks rarely hatch, as two embryos compete for space.
🔹 Final Thoughts
Selecting high-quality eggs is crucial for hatching success. Choosing the right size, shape, and shell condition can boost hatch rates and give you strong, healthy chicks.
🐣 Key Takeaways:
✅ Use medium-sized, oval eggs with smooth shells.
✅ Avoid cracked, dirty, porous, or old eggs.
✅ Store eggs properly (55-60°F, turn daily, max 7 days).
✅ Candle eggs to check for defects before incubation.
Follow these best practices, and you’ll have higher hatch success! 🚀🐥