Hatching Success Guide

From Setup to Success: Complete Hatching Workflow

Flockstar's hatching system makes incubation tracking easy with preset templates, automatic reminders, and comprehensive run management. Whether you're hatching a few eggs or running a serious breeding program, these tools ensure you never miss a critical milestone.

1. Understanding Flockstar's Hatching System

Flockstar's hatching system is built around three core components that work together to streamline your incubation process: Presets, Runs, and Observations. Plus, automatic task creation keeps you on schedule.

Presets

Template configurations for common hatching scenarios

• Save your standard settings
• Quick run creation
• Consistent parameters
• Time-saving templates

Runs

Individual incubation cycles with tracking

• Track egg counts
• Monitor fertility rates
• Record hatch results
• Automatic milestones

Observations

Notes and observations during incubation

• Daily notes
• Candling results
• Temperature logs
• Issue tracking

Key Hatching Terminology

Run Type

Usually the breed or species & breed for the eggs set. Can be free form text or selected from a list using the 'Pick' button.

Run Source

Where did the eggs come from? Ideally one of your breeding flocks, but can be free form text.

Incubator

The equipment used for incubation. Fun tip: Some users put the name of a broody hen as the "incubator"!

Run Names

Automatically named with sequential numbers (Run #1, Run #2), but you can add custom short names too.

Automatic Task Creation

Flockstar automatically creates tasks and reminders for key hatching milestones:

Candling reminders: Get notified when it's time to candle eggs
Lockdown alerts: Reminders to stop turning and increase humidity
Hatch day notifications: Know when to expect your chicks

These tasks integrate with the task system so you can track them alongside other flock activities.

2. Setting Up Hatching Presets

Presets are the foundation of efficient hatching in Flockstar. By creating templates for your common hatching scenarios, you can start new runs quickly and ensure consistency across your breeding program.

Why Start with Presets?

Creating presets first saves you time and ensures consistency:

Skip repetitive setup for each new run
Maintain consistent incubation parameters
Reduce setup errors and forgotten settings
Standardize your breeding program approach

Creating Your First Preset:

Navigate to the Hatching module using the bottom tab bar
Tap "Presets" to access your preset templates
Tap the orange + button to create a new preset
Set Run Type: Choose the type of hatching (usually breed and/or species)
Configure source settings: Set up how you'll specify egg sources

Essential Preset Parameters:

Temperature Settings

Incubation temperature: Usually 99.5°F (37.5°C)
Hatch temperature: Often slightly lower, around 99°F (37.2°C)
Monitor closely: Temperature is critical for success

Humidity Settings

Incubation humidity: 40-50% for most breeds
Hatch humidity: 65-75% during lockdown
Adjust for breed: Some breeds need different levels

Timeline Settings

Candle on day: When to first candle (usually day 7-10)
Lockdown days: When to stop turning (usually day 18)
Hatch days start: Expected hatch start (usually day 21)

Notification Settings

Notification time: When to send daily reminders
Custom alerts: Set up special milestone notifications
Integration: Works with Flockstar's task system

Common Preset Scenarios

Standard Chicken Hatch

Temperature: 99.5°F / 99°F (hatch)
Humidity: 45% / 70% (hatch)
Candle: Day 7
Lockdown: Day 18
Hatch: Day 21

Duck Hatch

Temperature: 99.5°F / 99°F (hatch)
Humidity: 55% / 80% (hatch)
Candle: Day 7
Lockdown: Day 25
Hatch: Day 28

Turkey Hatch

Temperature: 99.5°F / 99°F (hatch)
Humidity: 50% / 75% (hatch)
Candle: Day 7
Lockdown: Day 25
Hatch: Day 28

Pro Tips for Preset Creation

Start with your most common scenario: Create a preset for your primary breed first
Test and refine: Adjust settings based on your actual results
Document variations: Create separate presets for different breeds or conditions
Quick run creation: Start a run directly from any preset using the 3-dot "More" menu
Duplicate presets: Use the 3-dot "More" menu to duplicate similar setups for different breeds

3. Creating Hatching Runs

With your presets set up, creating new hatching runs becomes quick and easy. Each run tracks a complete incubation cycle with automatic milestone tracking and task creation.

Starting a New Run:

Tap the orange + button to create a new hatching run
Select a preset: Choose from your saved templates
Customize settings: Adjust any parameters for this specific run
Set the start date: When you put eggs in the incubator
Enter egg count: How many eggs you're incubating

Run Status Tracking

Active

Currently incubating

• Eggs in incubator
• Daily monitoring
• Task reminders active
• Observations being recorded

Completed

Hatching finished

• Final results recorded
• Chicks moved to brooder
• Data available for analysis
• Tasks marked complete

Cancelled

Run stopped early

• Incubation stopped
• Reason documented
• Tasks cancelled
• Data preserved for reference

Key Run Metrics:

Egg Counts

Total eggs: How many you started with
Infertile: Eggs that never developed
Quitters: Eggs that started but stopped developing
Hatched: Successfully hatched chicks

Success Rates

Fertility rate: % of eggs that were fertile
Hatch rate: % of fertile eggs that hatched
Overall success: % of all eggs that produced chicks
Loss analysis: Where eggs were lost in the process

Timeline Tracking

Start date: When incubation began
Candling date: When you first candled
Lockdown date: When you stopped turning
Actual hatch date: When chicks emerged

Environmental Data

Temperature settings: Your target temperatures
Humidity settings: Your target humidity levels
Incubator info: Which incubator you used
Notes: Any special conditions or issues

4. Recording Observations

Observations are your daily notes and important events during the incubation process. They help you track patterns, troubleshoot issues, and build a comprehensive record of your hatching program.

Adding Observations:

Open your active hatching run from the runs list
Tap "Observations" to view and add notes
Tap the orange + button to add a new observation
Set the date: When this observation occurred
Write your notes: Detailed observations and findings
Save the observation: It's now part of your run record

What to Record:

Daily Monitoring

Temperature readings
Humidity levels
Incubator performance
Power outages or issues
Environmental changes

Candling Results

Fertility observations
Development progress
Dead or quitter eggs
Air cell development
Movement observations

Hatch Events

First pipping
Chick emergence times
Hatch order
Chick quality
Any complications

Issues & Solutions

Temperature fluctuations
Humidity problems
Equipment malfunctions
Power interruptions
Solutions implemented

Observation Best Practices

Be consistent: Record observations at the same time each day
Include details: Specific numbers, times, and conditions
Note patterns: Track recurring issues or successful practices
Document solutions: Record what worked when problems arose
Use for future planning: Reference past observations for new runs

Sample Observation Entries:

Day 7 - First Candling

"Candled all 24 eggs. 20 show clear development with visible veins and embryo movement. 3 appear infertile (clear when candled). 1 shows blood ring - likely died early. Temperature holding steady at 99.5°F, humidity at 45%. Removed the 4 non-viable eggs."

Day 18 - Lockdown

"Stopped turning eggs and increased humidity to 70%. Temperature adjusted to 99°F. All 20 remaining eggs show good development. Air cells well-formed. Expecting first pips around day 21. Set up brooder with heat lamp and starter feed."

Day 21 - Hatch Day

"First pip at 6:30 AM. 18 chicks hatched successfully by 2 PM. 2 eggs pipped but chicks didn't emerge - assisted carefully. All chicks active and healthy. Moved to brooder at 95°F. Final count: 18 hatched, 2 assisted, 0 dead."

5. Analyzing Your Results

After each hatching run, analyze your data to improve future results. Flockstar provides comprehensive metrics and the ability to compare runs across your breeding program.

Hatching Home Overview

The hatching home screen provides at-a-glance overview stats for your entire hatching program:

• Total runs completed and success rates
• Current active runs and their progress
• Overall fertility and hatch rate statistics
• Quick access to create new runs and manage presets

Key Performance Indicators:

Fertility Metrics

Fertility rate: Target 80%+ for most breeds
Early mortality: Eggs that died in first week
Mid-development loss: Eggs that quit after candling
Breeding pair success: Which parents produce best eggs

Hatch Quality

Hatch rate: Target 85%+ from fertile eggs
Hatch timing: Most should hatch on schedule
Chick quality: Strong, active chicks
Assistance needed: How many needed help

Environmental Analysis

Temperature stability: How consistent was your temp
Humidity management: Did levels stay in range
Equipment performance: Any incubator issues
External factors: Weather, power, etc.

Comparative Analysis

Run comparisons: Compare multiple runs
Breed differences: How breeds perform differently
Seasonal patterns: Spring vs fall hatching
Preset effectiveness: Which presets work best

Using Data to Improve

Apply your analysis to future runs:

Adjust presets: Modify temperature, humidity, or timing based on results
Improve breeding: Select better parent birds based on fertility rates
Optimize conditions: Address environmental issues identified in observations
Plan timing: Schedule runs during your most successful periods
Equipment upgrades: Invest in better incubators if needed

6. Advanced Hatching Features

Once you're comfortable with the basics, explore these advanced features to take your hatching program to the next level.

Multiple Incubator Management:

If you use multiple incubators or have different incubation setups, create separate presets and runs to track performance differences:

Commercial Incubators

Brinsea, GQF, or other brands
Automatic turning
Digital controls
Consistent performance

Homemade Incubators

DIY setups
Manual turning
Custom modifications
Variable performance

Breeding Program Integration:

Genetic Tracking

Combine hatching data with breeding records:

Track lineage success: See which breeding pairs produce the best hatching eggs
Monitor genetic traits: Follow specific traits through multiple generations
Plan future breeding: Use hatching data to select the best birds for breeding
Avoid inbreeding: Track family relationships to maintain genetic diversity
Document bloodlines: Build comprehensive family trees with hatching data

Export and Sharing:

Share your hatching results with other breeders or keep detailed records for your breeding program:

Export run data: Save detailed reports for your records
Share with breeders: Provide comprehensive reports when selling hatching eggs or chicks
Track long-term trends: Compare results across multiple seasons and years
Document your program: Build a comprehensive breeding and hatching history
Backup your data: Ensure your valuable breeding data is preserved

Ready to Start Hatching?

Flockstar's hatching system provides everything you need for successful incubation tracking. From preset templates to automatic reminders, comprehensive run management to detailed observations, you'll have the tools to improve your hatch rates and build a successful breeding program.

Getting Started Checklist

Create your first preset for your most common hatching scenario
Set up a test run with a small batch of eggs
Practice recording observations during your incubation
Monitor automatic tasks and adjust notification preferences
Analyze your results and refine your presets
Integrate with breeding records for comprehensive tracking

Related Guides

Continue your Flockstar education with these related guides:

Breeding Records & Family Trees →
Task Management & Reminders →
Getting Started with Flockstar →