Chickens - Hatching Chicks with an Incubator

Liz Crain of Leafhopper Farm describes how she hatches Chicks from her own Chicken's eggs using an Incubator.

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Incubutors replace the need for a Hen to sit on the eggs. The eggs need consistent heat and humidity control. They also need to be turned to keep an even heat distribution. They don't appear to be making the incubator model we use anymore, but here are other Brinsea Incubators still being made.

Chicks use a small sharp tooth on the tip of their beak to make breaks in the egg shell. They start by pipping the shell which is creates the initial hole for air to come through. They then proceed chip away at the wider half of the egg until they've made a complete circled. Their neck muscles then begin to spasm causing their head to pop upwards in a sudden motion which makes the final break in the shell through which they can exit. They will come out wet, and it's recommended to leave them in the incubator until they have dried and their feathers are fluffy.

Newly hatched chicks need to be kept warm as they chill very easily. One common method is to use a heat lamp, though they carry with them the risk of fire. We use a Brinsea EcoGlow Brooder to avoid those types of issues. We keep the Brooder and newly hatched chicks in in a deep plastic containers with non-Cedar wood chips.

Be sure that you are feeding your Chicks Starter Feed and not one of the other types (e.g. Grower, Layer, etc.) as these can damage their young organs. We use Organic Scratch and Peck Starter Feed.
Small amounts of Apple Cider Vinegar can be added to the Chick's water as an immune booster and to extend how long it stays fresh. Keep your water container raised up off of the wood chips to avoid moisture getting into the enviroment.