Hatching Eggs and Raising Chickens: A Family Friendly Guide
hatching eggs and raising chickens

Hatching eggs at home is a fun, educational experience for kids! Learn how to incubate, raise, and care for chickens in your backyard.

Everything You Need to Know About Hatching Eggs and Raising Chickens.

If you’ve ever thought about hatching your own chicks and raising backyard chickens, there’s never been a better time to start! With the rising cost of eggs due to the bird flu, more families are considering keeping chickens—not just for fresh eggs, but for the amazing learning experience it provides for kids. Watching a chick hatch from an egg and grow into a full-grown hen is truly magical, and it’s an incredible way for kids to connect with nature, responsibility, and the food cycle. Here’s how our family did it, step by step!

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Getting Started: Choosing and Incubating Fertile Eggs

We began our chicken journey by purchasing fertile eggs. Unlike regular store-bought eggs, these eggs have the potential to hatch into baby chicks. We placed them in an incubator that automatically turns the eggs, ensuring that they develop properly.

If you’re using a manual incubator, you’ll need to turn the eggs yourself multiple times a day to mimic a mother hen’s natural behavior. The incubation process typically takes 21 days, and it’s exciting to candle the eggs (shine a light inside) after about a week to check for signs of life!

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hatching eggs and raising chickens

The Moment of Magic: Hatching Day

Hatching day is nothing short of amazing. Around day 21, we started hearing little chirps from inside the eggs—then came the first tiny cracks. It can take hours (or even a full day) for a chick to fully hatch, so patience is key! Watching my kids witness the birth of a baby chick was an unforgettable experience that taught them the value of patience and the miracle of life.

One important rule: never help a chick hatch unless it’s absolutely necessary. They need to go through the struggle of breaking out on their own to build strength.

The Moment of Magic: Hatching Day

Hatching day is nothing short of amazing. Around day 21, we started hearing little chirps from inside the eggs—then came the first tiny cracks. It can take hours (or even a full day) for a chick to fully hatch, so patience is key! Watching my kids witness the birth of a baby chick was an unforgettable experience that taught them the value of patience and the miracle of life.

One important rule: never help a chick hatch unless it’s absolutely necessary. They need to go through the struggle of breaking out on their own to build strength.

Setting Up a Cozy Brooder for Baby Chicks

Once the chicks hatched and dried off, we moved them to a brooder—a warm, safe space for baby chicks to grow in their first few weeks of life. Our setup included:

  • A brooder that came with a brooder plate heat source (or you can use a heat lamp set to around 95°F, reducing by 5°F each week)

  • Soft bedding (like pine shavings for easy cleanup)

  • Chick starter feed and fresh water

  • Plenty of space to explore and stretch their tiny legs

Chicks grow fast! Within a few weeks, they start developing real feathers, and their personalities shine through.

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hatching eggs and raising chickens
chicken coop

Transitioning to the Coop: Creating a Happy Home for Our Chickens

Once our chicks were big enough and fully feathered, it was time to move them to their permanent home—a backyard chicken coop with a run!

We wanted to make cleaning as easy as possible, so we chose construction sand as the base for both the coop and the run. Unlike wood shavings or straw, sand acts like giant cat litter, making cleanup super simple with just a scoop and a rake. Plus, our chickens love to dust bathe in it!

Inside the run, we made sure they had everything they needed:

  • A perch for roosting and climbing

  • A food and water container

  • A separate container for oyster shells (essential once they start laying eggs to help with strong shells)

Our kids love checking for eggs each morning—it’s like a daily treasure hunt!

When Do Chickens Start Laying Eggs?

One of the most exciting milestones in raising chickens is when they start laying eggs! Typically, hens begin laying between 16 to 24 weeks old, though some breeds may take a little longer. You’ll know they’re getting close when their combs and wattles turn a deeper red and they start exhibiting nesting behavior, like scratching around in their coop more frequently.

When they finally lay their first egg, it might be small or misshapen, but don’t worry—this is completely normal! Their eggs will become more regular and consistent over time.

When Do Chickens Start Laying Eggs?

One of the most exciting milestones in raising chickens is when they start laying eggs! Typically, hens begin laying between 16 to 24 weeks old, though some breeds may take a little longer. You’ll know they’re getting close when their combs and wattles turn a deeper red and they start exhibiting nesting behavior, like scratching around in their coop more frequently.

When they finally lay their first egg, it might be small or misshapen, but don’t worry—this is completely normal! Their eggs will become more regular and consistent over time.

chicken or rooster

How to Tell if Your Chickens Are Roosters or Hens

When hatching eggs, there’s always a chance you’ll end up with roosters. Since we live in an area where only hens are allowed, we had to re-home our roosters, which is something to consider before starting your flock.

There are many theories about how to tell if a chick is a rooster or a hen—some say it’s based on the shape of the egg, the way they hatch, or their early behaviors. However, in our experience, we only truly knew for sure when they crowed! Around 8-12 weeks old, young roosters will start developing larger combs and wattles, standing taller, and may even begin attempting to crow. That’s when we knew it was time to find them new homes.

If keeping roosters isn’t an option where you live, consider getting sexed chicks (pre-determined female chicks) from a hatchery rather than hatching your own eggs.

What to Feed Chickens for Maximum Egg Production

A well-balanced diet is key to getting plentiful, strong-shelled eggs. We’ve found that a mix of the following ingredients keeps our chickens happy and producing lots of eggs.

This mix ensures our hens stay healthy and lay eggs consistently. Additionally, providing fresh greens, kitchen scraps, and plenty of clean water will keep them in top condition

A well-balanced diet is key to getting plentiful, strong-shelled eggs. We’ve found that a mix of the following ingredients keeps our chickens happy and producing lots of eggs:

This mix ensures our hens stay healthy and lay eggs consistently. Additionally, providing fresh greens, kitchen scraps, and plenty of clean water will keep them in top condition

hatching eggs and raising chickens

Teaching Responsibility: Why Raising Chickens is Perfect for Kids

Raising chickens has been an incredible way for our kids to learn responsibility and animal care. Every day, they help with:

  • Feeding and refilling water

  • Cleaning the coop

  • Collecting eggs

They’ve also learned so much about biology and life cycles just from watching our chicks grow. It’s one thing to read about it in a book, but seeing it firsthand makes a lasting impression.

Keeping It Clean: The Importance of Handwashing and Sanitation

As fun as it is to handle baby chicks and collect eggs, cleanliness is crucial when raising chickens. Chickens (and their droppings) can carry bacteria like salmonella, so we’ve taught our kids to always:

  • Wash hands immediately after handling chickens or eggs

  • Keep food and drinks away from the coop

  • Wear dedicated chicken shoes to prevent tracking bacteria indoors. I got rainboots for the each of my kids and it’s been a great option!

With good hygiene practices, raising chickens is perfectly safe for kids and adults alike.

washing hands after handling chickens

Is Raising Chickens Worth It?

Absolutely! Beyond the fresh eggs and backyard entertainment, raising chickens has brought our family closer to nature and given our kids a hands-on education in science and responsibility. Plus, we’ll never run out of eggs again!

If you’ve ever considered starting your own backyard flock, now is a great time to jump in. Just be warned—once you start, you may find yourself wanting more and more chickens!

    hatching eggs and raising chickens
    hatching eggs and raising chickens

    Is Raising Chickens Worth It?

    Absolutely! Beyond the fresh eggs and backyard entertainment, raising chickens has brought our family closer to nature and given our kids a hands-on education in science and responsibility. Plus, we’ll never run out of eggs again!

    If you’ve ever considered starting your own backyard flock, now is a great time to jump in. Just be warned—once you start, you may find yourself wanting more and more chickens!

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