How to Increase Hatch Rate by 30% Using These Simple Techniques

Achieving a high hatch rate is every poultry farmer’s dream — and the good news is that you don’t need expensive equipment or advanced skills to improve your results. With the right techniques, you can boost your hatch rate by up to 30% simply by improving how you manage your eggs, incubator, and environment.

Below are the most effective, practical, and beginner-friendly methods you can start using today.

Start With High-Quality Fertile Eggs (The Foundation of High Hatch Rates) Your hatch success begins long before eggs enter the incubator.

✔ Choose eggs that are: Medium-sized (not too big or too small)

Well-shaped (avoid long, tiny, or round eggs)

Clean (but not washed)

From healthy, well-fed parent stock

No cracks, chips, or rough shells

Poor-quality eggs = poor hatch rates, no matter how good the incubator is.

Store Eggs Properly Before Setting Eggs must be stored with care to protect embryo health.

✔ Optimal storage conditions: Temperature: 15–18°C

Humidity: 55–75%

Position: Pointed end facing down

Turn eggs: At least twice daily during storage

Storage time: Do not exceed 7–10 days

Longer storage reduces fertility and hatchability.

Calibrate Your Incubator for Accuracy Temperature and humidity must be extremely accurate.

✔ Ideal incubation temperature: 37.5°C (forced-air incubators)

38.0°C (still-air incubators)

✔ Ideal humidity levels: Days 1–18: 45–55%

Days 19–21 (Hatching): 65–75%

Even a 0.5°C error can cause embryo death or deformities — so ensure your sensors are functioning and replaced when needed.

Turn Eggs Frequently and Consistently Turning prevents embryos from sticking to the shell.

✔ Recommended turning rules: Turn every 90 minutes (automatically)

At least 6–12 times per day

Stop turning on Day 18

Investing in a good turning system greatly increases hatch rates.

Maintain Proper Ventilation and Airflow Embryos need oxygen and release carbon dioxide. Poor airflow suffocates them.

✔ Ensure your incubator has: Working ventilation holes

A strong internal fan

Fresh air exchange without cold drafts

Never block ventilation holes.

Keep the Incubator Clean and Disinfected Dirty incubators spread bacteria that kill developing chicks.

✔ Sanitation routine: Clean incubator after every hatch

Use hatchery-approved disinfectants

Keep the environment dry and mold-free

A clean incubator = a healthy hatch.

Candle Eggs to Remove Infertile or Bad Eggs Candling improves hatch rate by reducing contamination.

✔ Candle on: Day 7

Day 14

Day 18

Remove eggs that are infertile, cracked, or show blood rings.

Do Not Open the Incubator During Hatch Day Opening the incubator releases heat and humidity, causing chicks to shrink-wrap (membrane dries and traps them).

✔ DO NOT open from Day 19–21. Let chicks hatch naturally unless there’s a serious emergency.

Use Reliable Backup Power Power failure is the #1 cause of massive embryo loss.

✔ Use: A UPS

Solar backup

Generator

Just 20–30 minutes of low temperature can kill embryos.

Use High-Quality Incubation Equipment and Spares Your incubator must have:

Accurate temperature and humidity sensors

Strong fans

Efficient turning motor

Reliable heating element

Using cheap or failing components reduces hatch rate dramatically.

⭐ Final Thoughts If you apply the techniques above, you can significantly improve your hatch rate — many farmers consistently achieve 85–95% success using these simple steps.

The secret is consistency, accuracy, and using high-quality equipment.

If you need incubators, spare parts, or technical guidance, Autohatch Incubators is here to support you.