Understanding incubation times is essential for successful hatching. Each bird species has its own rhythm, and patience is just as important as temperature and humidity control.
Typical Incubation Durations
- Chickens
21 to 23 days - Quail
18 to 19 days - Geese
28 to 35 days - Pigeons
18 to 20 days - Ostriches
42 to 46 days - Peafowl (Peacocks)
27 to 31 days - Turkeys
28 to 31 days - Ducks
30 to 35 days - Guinea Fowl
26 to 28 days
A Common Incubation Mistake
One of the most frequent errors during incubation is opening the incubator too often near hatch day. Each opening causes temperature and humidity fluctuations, which can delay hatching or harm the developing chick.
Best Practice Tip
- Keep the incubator closed during the final days
- Monitor through the viewing window if available
- Maintain stable temperature and humidity
- Allow chicks to hatch naturally without interference
Successful incubation requires consistency, patience, and minimal disturbance. Watching is fine, but handling should be kept to an absolute minimum.