How Long Do Chicken Eggs Take to Hatch?

Chicken eggs typically take about 21 days to hatch. This is the time it takes for a fertilized egg to develop into a chick ready to emerge. The process begins with the hen laying the egg, and if conditions are optimal, the embryo inside will start to develop. Temperature and humidity need to be maintained at ideal levels throughout this period to ensure the eggs hatch successfully.

During the 21 days of incubation, the embryo undergoes several stages of development. Initially just a cluster of cells (blastoderm), the embryo quickly begins to form the structures necessary for life outside the egg. By the end of the incubation period, the chick is fully developed and ready to break out of the egg using its egg tooth, a small, temporary structure that helps it crack the shell.

In modern poultry farming, incubators are extensively used in hatching chicken eggs. These devices maintain the necessary environmental conditions, such as temperature and humidity, to support the development of the embryo. Eggs in an incubator are automatically turned at least eight times a day to mimic the natural process a brooding hen would perform.