Many people choose to raise chickens. Some use it as a commercial venture, but others just do it for a hobby — the birds are quite easy to raise, and make fun pets. Fertilized eggs do require special care, however, if they are to hatch into healthy chicks.
The first step in the selection process involves weeding out all the cracked eggs. These can be cooked or thrown away, because they definitely will not hatch. The most common way eggs are chosen for hatching is by a process called candling. This process distinguishes the duds from the eggs that have chicks growing inside.
If eggs need to be stored before they go into the incubator, they must be kept below room temperature.
An incubator is anything that will keep heat and humidity at a constant level throughout the hatching period. It can be as simple as a plastic foam cooler with a humidity gauge and thermometer, or as complex as a large specialized incubating machine complete with automatic egg turners and heat and humidity adjustors.
The three most important factors for success in the incubator — besides fertile eggs — are turning, temperature, and humidity.
Sanitation is extremely important for anything that will be in contact with hatching eggs. Make sure that hands are washed, and that the incubator has been rinsed out with bleach.
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