The Science of Incubation RSS
When Things Go Wrong — How to Read the Signs After a Failed Hatch
If you've just experienced a disappointing hatch, take a breath. You're in good company, and this article will help you understand what might have gone wrong. More importantly, we'll show you how to gather information from this experience so that your next hatch is better.
Lockdown and Hatching — What Happens in the Final Three Days
We're approaching the most exciting part of the incubation journey. After 18 days of careful temperature, humidity, and turning management, your developing chicks are almost ready to make their grand entrance into the world. But the final three days are where science and patience collide — and understanding what's happening inside those eggs can make all the difference between a successful hatch and a disappointing one.
This is where the concept of lockdown comes into play, and it's arguably one of the most critical phases of the entire incubation process.
Candling — What You're Actually Looking At and What It Tells You
In this article, we're diving deep into candling: what it is, how to do it properly, and most importantly, what you're actually looking at when you hold that glowing egg up to the light.
What's Happening Inside the Egg — A Day-by-Day Look at Embryo Development
In this fifth instalment of our Science of Incubation series, we're opening up the mystery of embryo development. We'll follow the chick's journey from the moment the egg is laid through to the moment it breaks free from its shell. You'll discover why certain days matter more than others, when you should be watching for problems, and how to support the process through proper incubator management.
Why We Turn Eggs — And What Happens If We Don't
If you've ever watched a broody hen, you'll notice she's constantly shifting and repositioning her eggs. She's not just being restless—she's performing one of the most critical tasks in incubation. Egg turning isn't a luxury; it's absolutely essential for healthy embryo development. Today we're exploring why turning matters so much, what happens when we skip it, and how to do it right whether you're using an automatic turner or turning by hand.