Whether you’re aiming for a homegrown Thanksgiving centerpiece or simply enjoying the thrill of raising new life, proper turkey egg incubation gives you happy and healthy poults. Ready to get started? This guide covers each stage of the process, from storing your eggs to that exciting hatch day.
Gather your turkey eggs
The path to a smooth hatch starts with collecting fresh, clean eggs. You can gather them over the course of a week, but try to store them in a cool place between 50 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. If the shells look dirty, gently rinse them under water a bit warmer than the egg itself. Warm water helps drive bacteria away from the interior instead of drawing it into the shell.
- Turn eggs daily in storage (at least once) if you’re holding them more than a few days.
- Avoid washing them unless they’re especially soiled. The natural protective coating increases hatch rates.
Prepare the incubator environment
Once you’ve collected enough eggs to incubate, it’s time to set up the incubator. Follow the manufacturer’s directions, and double-check any built-in thermostat with a separate thermometer. That way, you’ll know you have an accurate temperature reading when you begin.
Set temperature and humidity
Experts generally agree on a temperature of around 99.5°F for forced-air incubators and slightly higher for still-air models (usually around 101°F). Relative humidity should hover around 55–60% for most of the incubation period. This balance keeps the eggs from drying out or drowning the developing embryo in excess moisture.
- Add water to the incubator’s reservoir to control humidity.
- Allow your incubator to run for at least 24 hours before setting eggs, so it stabilizes.
Turn the eggs regularly
Turning your eggs is the best way to prevent the embryos from sticking to the inside of the shells. Natural mother turkeys turn their eggs multiple times a day. You can mimic this effect with either an automatic turner or simple hand-turning.
- Hand-turn your eggs 3–5 times daily. Rotate them a full 180 degrees.
- Use pencil marks on each side of the shell (like an X on one side and O on the other) to keep track of turns.
Candle to confirm development
Candling—shining a bright light briefly through the shell—lets you check each egg’s progress. Around day 7, look for spider-like veins indicating healthy growth. Clear and vein-free eggs are likely infertile, and you can remove them to avoid contamination.
Doing a second candling around day 14 or 15 can confirm continued development. By then, you should see more defined veins and a darkened area showing the embryo’s presence. Discard any that show zero signs of progress to maintain a clean environment.
Lockdown and hatching time
Around day 24, it’s time for “lockdown.” You’ll stop turning eggs and increase moisture levels to about 64–70%. This humidity boost helps soften shells so poults can crack out without drying. Most turkey eggs hatch by day 28, but some may arrive as early as day 27 or as late as day 30. It’s best to watch for pipping (small cracks in the shell) and let nature take its course.
- Avoid opening the incubator during hatching. Moisture and heat levels can drop quickly if you keep peeking.
- Let struggling hatchlings work out of their shells themselves. They often need that challenge to build strength.
Care for your poults
Newly hatched turkeys are called poults. After drying off in the incubator for several hours, transfer them to a warm brooder. You’ll want a temperature of around 95°F the first week. Then, lower this temperature by five degrees each week until they’re fully feathered.
- Offer a non-slip surface (like paper towels) to prevent leg issues.
- Provide fresh water and starter feed formulated specifically for turkeys or game birds to ensure proper nutrition.
Key takeaways for turkey egg incubation
- Keep stored eggs cool and turn them at least once a day.
- Maintain an incubator temperature around 99.5°F and humidity at 55–60% until lockdown.
- Turn eggs 3–5 times a day if you’re not using an automatic turner.
- Candle to spot fertile eggs and remove the clear ones early on.
- Lockdown begins at day 24, with humidity raised to 64–70%. Stop turning the eggs at this point.
- Allow poults to hatch on their own, and move them to a warm brooder once they’re fluffy.
Raising your own turkeys can be incredibly gratifying, especially when you see those first cracks form and watch tiny beaks peek out. By giving your turkey eggs the right conditions throughout incubation, you’ll pave the way for healthy poults and a rewarding experience. If you’re eager to share your progress or ask a quick question, don’t hesitate to leave a comment. Good luck on your hatching journey!