How Long Does It Take to Incubate Turkey Eggs? A Complete Guide

Incubating and hatching turkey eggs at home can be an extremely rewarding experience. There’s something magical about seeing new life emerge from an egg you’ve nurtured. However, it does require dedication, patience, and adhering to some specific conditions. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about incubating turkey eggs successfully.

An Overview of Turkey Egg Incubation

The incubation period for turkey eggs is typically 28 days However, incubation time can vary from 27 to 29 days depending on factors like egg size, breed, and incubation conditions

Here’s a quick overview of turkey egg incubation:

• Incubation Temperature: 99.5°F (37.5°C)
• Incubation Humidity: 60%
• Turn Eggs: 3-5 times per day until day 25
• Candle Eggs: Day 7 and 14
• Lockdown: Day 25
• Expected Hatch: Day 28

Pay close attention to temperature and humidity levels throughout the incubation process. Even small fluctuations outside the ideal range can impact hatchability.

Selecting Quality Turkey Eggs

The starting point for any successful hatch is getting good quality fertile eggs. Here are some tips for selecting turkey eggs:

• Source eggs from reputable breeders or farms where you can see the breeding stock

• Choose eggs that are clean, normal shaped, and free from cracks or flaws.

• Handle eggs gently to avoid jarring the embryo.

• Let eggs rest 12-24 hours before setting so contents can settle.

Turkey eggs are best set in an incubator within 7 days of being laid. Fertility starts dropping off quickly after this. Avoid eggs more than 14 days old.

Setting Up the Incubator

An incubator provides the consistent temperature, humidity, and ventilation turkey eggs need. Here are some tips for setting up an incubator before adding eggs:

• Clean and disinfect incubator thoroughly before each use.

• Allow incubator to run for 24 hours to stabilize temperature and humidity.

• Adjust incubator to recommended settings (99.5°F and 60% humidity).

• Ensure incubator can maintain proper conditions for at least 12 hours.

• Warm eggs to room temperature before setting in the incubator.

Maintaining proper incubation conditions is critical. Invest in good quality thermometers and hygrometers to monitor conditions.

Turning the Eggs

Turkey eggs must be turned at least 3 times per day during incubation to prevent the embryo from sticking to the shell. Here are some tips for turning:

• Turn eggs smoothly an odd number of times per day.

• Rotate eggs 180° each turn. Mark eggs with an X and O to keep track.

• Stop turning eggs on day 25 and lay eggs on their sides.

• Washing hands thoroughly before turning eggs reduces bacteria.

• Automated egg turners are convenient for frequent turning.

Turning provides exercise for the developing embryo and prevents deformities. Stop turning 3 days before hatch for lockdown.

Monitoring Humidity

Humidity directly impacts the hatchability of turkey eggs. Use these tips to maintain proper moisture levels:

• Ideal incubation humidity for poults is around 60%.

• Increase humidity slightly during hatching.

• Add water to incubator reservoirs as needed.

• Monitor humidity daily with a hygrometer.

• Watch for proper air cell size when candling eggs.

• Add water slowly to avoid drops in temperature.

Proper humidity keeps the egg from drying out or becoming too wet. Both scenarios can impact the hatch.

Candling the Eggs

Candling allows you to monitor embryo development and identify any nonviable eggs. Follow these candling tips:

• Candle eggs twice during incubation – days 7 and 14.

• Candle in darkened room with bright focused light source.

• Remove and discard any eggs that appear infertile or have stopped developing.

• Avoid excessively disturbing developing embryos with light.

• Mark eggs that need to be rechecked.

Candling removes dead eggs before they rot and allow you to assess incubation conditions.

Initiating Lockdown

Lockdown is the final stage of incubation when the hatch begins. Follow these tips:

• Stop turning eggs and lay them on their sides after 25 days.

• Increase humidity to around 75% for hatching.

• Maintain temperature at 99.5°F.

• Resist the urge to assist pipping eggs.

• Wait 12-24 hours after first pip to remove poults.

Lockdown allows the embryos to get into hatching position. Increased humidity keeps membranes pliable for hatching.

Monitoring the Hatch

Hatching day is exciting after a long incubation. Here’s what to expect and monitor:

• Listen for pipping sounds as chicks break through the air cell.

• First pips often occur on day 27 or 28.

• Wait for chicks to fully unzip shells before assisting.

• Allow chicks to fully absorb yolks before removing from incubator.

• Expect hatchings over a 12-48 hour period.

• Discard any unhatched eggs after 48 hours.

Watching poults hatch is rewarding! Avoid helping hatchlings emerge to prevent deformities.

Caring for Poults After Hatching

Newly hatched poults require some special care:

• Leave poults in incubator until fluffy and mostly dry.

• Feed and water poults immediately using chick starter feed.

• Provide 95°F brooding temperature for the first week.

• Use medicated chick starter to prevent disease.

• Check poults for pasty vents indicating dehydration.

• Provide extra supervision and protection from predators.

With attentive care in the first days of life, poults can thrive into adulthood. Enjoy raising your new turkey flock!

Key Takeaways on Incubating Turkey Eggs

Here are some key takeaways on incubating turkey eggs:

• Allow 28 days for turkeys eggs to hatch.

• Maintain 99.5°F temperature and 60% humidity.

• Turn eggs 3-5 times daily until day 25.

• Candle eggs on days 7 and 14 to check development.

• Increase humidity at lockdown on day 25.

• Let poults fully emerge from shells before assisting.

• Provide immediate food, water and heat for hatchlings.

Following proper incubation techniques will help ensure a successful hatch of healthy poults. Be patient and let nature take its course when the hatch begins. Enjoy raising your new turkeys!