Incubation Period Calculator

Work out incubation period instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Incubation Period Calculator

Adds the species-specific incubation period to the set date and marks the lockdown date three days before hatching, when turning stops.

Formula

Incubation periods

Chicken 21 days, quail 18, duck and turkey 28, goose 30; turning stops three days before the expected hatch

Worked example

With the default values below, Incubation Period Calculator returns Expected hatch date of September 22, 2026. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Speciesone of Chicken (21 days), Quail (18 days), Duck (28 days), Turkey (28 days), Goose (30 days): Chicken (21 days)
Date eggs were set: 2026-09-01
Days already incubatedaccepts 0–40: 7

Results

Expected hatch date: September 22, 2026
Incubation period: 21 days
Days remaining: 14 days
Stop turning (lockdown) date: September 19, 2026

Step by step

1Values used
2Incubation periods
3Expected hatch date= 2026-09-22
4Incubation period= 21 days
5Days remaining= 14 days
6Stop turning (lockdown) date= 2026-09-19

Assumptions and limits

The result is derived only from the 3 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
Figures are rounded for display to whole numbers, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why stop turning before hatching?

The chick must orient itself to pip the air cell, which turning would disturb.

What shifts the hatch date?

Incubation below 37.5 degrees Celsius delays hatching and above it advances hatching, both reducing hatchability.