Can a chicken egg hatch the 22nd day?

Answer 1

Not always. Late hatch can occur if the temperatures or humidity are not right in the incubator or if the broody hen has left the clutch for any long periods of time. It is always a good idea to candle the eggs on the 21st day and see if there is movement. Leave the eggs an extra day or two if you feel they may have life in them. If hatching with an incubator, bump up the humidity to +60% for the late hatch.

Answer 2

Yes, The broody hen often takes a week to gather enough eggs to actually start brooding. Temperature and humidity play a big role in artificial incubation also so the 21 day hatch is arbitrary. I have had chicks emerge up to three days after and often keep the eggs incubating for 25 days total. (at that point I discard them as the late chicks will often be killed by the older first hatched birds) Candle late hatch eggs to look for movement. A day or two makes little difference but after 5/6 days the eggs are not viable anyway.

Answer 3

Yes, a chicken egg typically hatches on the 21st day of incubation. Hatching on the 22nd day is not typical, but it can happen occasionally depending on the specific conditions during incubation.