How to Increase Your Hatch Rate to Over 90%

EcoKuku farmers who follow this process consistently report hatch rates of 88–95%. It is not luck — it is a repeatable system. Every point below is something you can control.

Step 1 — Start with the Best Eggs Possible

No management technique compensates for poor-quality eggs. Your hatch rate ceiling is set at this step before incubation even begins.

Source from certified parent stock with confirmed fertility

Collect eggs daily — do not let them sit in the nest

Set eggs within 7 days of collection — hatchability drops significantly after that

Store pre-incubation at 15–18°C, pointed end down, in a cool room

Reject cracked, misshapen, very large or very small eggs

Do not wash eggs — you remove the bloom (natural protective coating)

Step 2 — Pre-warm and Stabilise the Incubator

Run the incubator empty for 24 hours before loading eggs. This lets the temperature and humidity stabilise. You will find it much easier to dial in the correct settings without eggs in the way, and the machine will not fluctuate as much when you load the first batch.

Target temperature: 37.5°C — verify with a separate thermometer

Target humidity: 55–60% — verify with a separate hygrometer

Position away from walls, windows, and direct sunlight

Ensure ventilation holes are clear

Step 3 — Manage Temperature and Humidity Daily

Check temperature and humidity every morning and every evening — not just when you remember. Log it. Consistency over 21 days is what drives a 90%+ hatch rate.

Phase	Days	Temperature	Humidity	Turning
Incubation	1–18	37.5°C	55–60%	Every 2 hours (auto)
Lockdown	19–21	37.5°C	65–70%	Stop turning

Step 4 — Candle at Day 7

Candling (shining a bright torch through the egg in a dark room) lets you see if embryos are developing. At day 7, fertile eggs show a spider-web of blood vessels. Clear eggs are infertile and should be removed — a rotting infertile egg can contaminate the entire batch.

Step 5 — Respect Lockdown

On day 18, raise humidity to 65–70%, stop the automatic turner, and close the incubator. It stays closed until hatching is complete. Every time you open it during lockdown, you risk killing chicks that are in the process of absorbing the yolk sac and positioning to pip. The urge to check is strong — resist it.

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Summary checklist for 90%+ hatch rate: Fresh eggs from certified stock (within 7 days) → Pre-warm incubator 24 hours → Set temperature 37.5°C, humidity 55–60% → Candle day 7, remove infertiles → Raise humidity to 70% at day 18 → Do not open during lockdown → Let chicks hatch naturally.

View AC/DC Incubators → Why Eggs Don't Hatch → AC vs DC Incubators → Full Learning Hub →