Hatch Rate Calculator
Last updated: March 27, 2026
Reviewed by: LumoCalculator Team
Calculate your egg incubation success rate for chickens, ducks, turkeys, quail, and other poultry. Track fertility rate, hatch-of-fertile percentage, and get recommendations to improve your hatching results.
Calculate Hatch Rate
Enter your incubation results
Hatch Rate Results
Species Benchmarks
Chicken
Fertility: 85-95%
Hatch: 80-90%
Duck
Fertility: 80-90%
Hatch: 70-85%
Turkey
Fertility: 80-90%
Hatch: 75-85%
Goose
Fertility: 70-85%
Hatch: 60-80%
Quail
Fertility: 85-95%
Hatch: 75-85%
Pheasant
Fertility: 80-90%
Hatch: 70-80%
Incubation Quick Reference
Chicken (21 days)
Temp: 99.5°F (37.5°C) | Humidity: 50-55%
Duck (28 days)
Temp: 99.5°F (37.5°C) | Humidity: 55-60%
Turkey (28 days)
Temp: 99.5°F (37.5°C) | Humidity: 55-60%
Goose (28-35 days)
Temp: 99.5°F (37.5°C) | Humidity: 55-60%
Incubation Parameters by Species
| Species | Days | Temperature | Humidity | Lockdown |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicken | 21 | 99.5°F (37.5°C) | 50-55% | 65-70% |
| Duck | 28 | 99.5°F (37.5°C) | 55-60% | 70-75% |
| Turkey | 28 | 99.5°F (37.5°C) | 55-60% | 65-70% |
| Goose | 28-35 | 99.5°F (37.5°C) | 55-60% | 70-75% |
| Quail | 16-18 | 99.5°F (37.5°C) | 45-50% | 65-70% |
* Temperature for forced-air incubators. Still-air incubators typically run 1-2°F higher.
Understanding Hatch Rate Metrics
📊 Hatch Rate Formula
Overall Hatch Rate = (Hatched ÷ Eggs Set) × 100
- • Includes both fertile and infertile eggs
- • Affected by both fertility AND incubation
- • Good benchmark: 70-85%
🎯 Hatch of Fertile
HoF = (Hatched ÷ Fertile Eggs) × 100
- • Measures incubation success only
- • Requires candling to determine
- • Good benchmark: 80-90%
💜 Fertility Rate
Fertility = (Fertile ÷ Eggs Set) × 100
- • Determined by candling day 7-10
- • Reflects breeding stock health
- • Good benchmark: 85-95%
🔍 Candling Schedule
Check development at key points
- • Day 7: Blood ring = early death, clear = infertile
- • Day 14: Verify development
- • Day 18: Air cell check, remove dead
Troubleshooting Poor Hatch Rates
🚫 Infertility Causes
- • Old or unhealthy breeding stock
- • Improper male-to-female ratio
- • Nutritional deficiencies (vitamin E, selenium)
- • Extreme temperatures affecting breeders
- • Disease in breeding flock
💀 Early Death (Days 1-7)
- • Temperature too high or too low
- • Old eggs before setting
- • Improper egg storage
- • Genetic problems
- • Contaminated eggs
⚠️ Late Death (Days 8-18)
- • Humidity too high or low
- • Poor ventilation
- • Incorrect turning
- • Temperature fluctuations
- • Eggs positioned incorrectly at lockdown
🐣 Failed to Pip/Hatch
- • Humidity too low at lockdown
- • Weak chicks from poor breeder nutrition
- • Incubator opened during lockdown
- • Shell too hard (low humidity)
- • Malposition
Incubation Best Practices
✅ Egg Selection & Storage
- • Collect eggs 2-3 times daily
- • Store at 50-60°F (10-15°C)
- • Point end down, turn daily if storing
- • Set within 7-10 days of laying
- • Avoid cracked, dirty, or misshapen eggs
🌡️ Incubator Setup
- • Run incubator 24-48 hrs before setting
- • Calibrate thermometer and hygrometer
- • Check temps at multiple locations
- • Ensure proper ventilation
- • Place away from drafts and sunlight
🔄 During Incubation
- • Turn eggs 3-5× daily (or use auto-turner)
- • Stop turning at lockdown (3 days before hatch)
- • Candle at day 7-10 and 14
- • Remove clear/dead eggs
- • Keep records for future improvement
🐣 Lockdown & Hatching
- • Increase humidity to 65-70%
- • Do NOT open incubator
- • Let chicks rest 12-24 hrs after hatch
- • Move to brooder when fluffy
- • Wait 24-48 hrs after first pip to assist
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate hatch rate?
Hatch rate is calculated by dividing the number of eggs hatched by the total eggs set, then multiplying by 100. For example, if you set 24 eggs and 18 hatched, your hatch rate is (18/24) × 100 = 75%. You can also calculate "hatch of fertile" which divides hatched by fertile eggs only, giving a more accurate measure of incubation success.
What is a good hatch rate for chicken eggs?
For chicken eggs, a hatch rate of 80-90% (of fertile eggs) is considered good to excellent. Overall hatch rates (including infertile eggs) of 70-85% are typical for healthy flocks with good incubation practices. Rates below 60% indicate problems that should be investigated.
What's the difference between hatch rate and fertility rate?
Fertility rate measures what percentage of eggs are fertile (have developing embryos), determined by candling around day 7-10. Hatch rate measures what percentage actually hatched. "Hatch of fertile" combines these to show incubation success specifically - if fertility is 90% and hatch-of-fertile is 85%, overall hatch rate would be about 76%.
Why is my hatch rate low?
Low hatch rates can result from: poor egg storage (too hot/cold, too long), temperature fluctuations during incubation, incorrect humidity (especially during lockdown), inadequate turning, poor ventilation, unhealthy breeding stock, old eggs, or contamination. Candling helps identify whether the issue is fertility (clear eggs) or incubation problems (dead-in-shell).
What humidity is needed for hatching eggs?
For most poultry: maintain 50-55% humidity during incubation (days 1-18 for chickens), then increase to 65-70% during lockdown (last 3 days). Ducks and geese need slightly higher humidity (55-60%, then 70-75%). Low humidity causes sticky shells; high humidity causes drowned chicks or poor air cell development.
What temperature should I incubate eggs at?
Most poultry eggs incubate at 99.5°F (37.5°C) in a forced-air incubator, or 101-102°F (38.3-38.9°C) in a still-air incubator (measured at egg top). Even small temperature variations (±1°F) can significantly impact hatch rates and timing. Use a calibrated thermometer and check multiple locations in your incubator.