Humble Hatchery Guide to Incubating Kikiriki Eggs
Before You Begin 💛
Thank you for trusting Humble Hatchery with your Kikiriki hatching eggs!
Kikirikis are incredibly special micro chickens, and their small size means incubation can be slightly different from standard breeds. This guide reflects what has worked best in my own program.
👉 For a deeper dive, I cover this in more detail in my book Hatch Like a Scientist — but this page will give you everything you need to get started successfully.
Step 1: Resting Shipped Eggs 📦
If your eggs were shipped:
Allow eggs to rest large end up for 24 hours before incubation
This helps the air cell stabilize after shipping movement
👉 Do not skip this step — it can significantly impact hatch success
Step 2: Incubator Setup 🌡️
For Kikiriki eggs, I recommend:
A side-rolling incubator (best for small eggs)
Temperature set to 100°F
This is what works best in my setup. However:
⚠️ Every incubator is different — always use your best judgment and monitor your equipment.
Step 3: Early Incubation (Days 1–17)
Once eggs are placed:
Allow eggs to sit for 1 day before turning begins
Then allow automatic turning until lockdown
My Approach:
I follow a “set it and forget it” method
I do NOT candle frequently
I avoid opening the incubator unnecessarily
👉 Stability is key for Kikiriki eggs
What to Watch For:
Bad odor
Leaking eggs
Obviously non-viable eggs
Otherwise — let them develop undisturbed.
Step 4: Lockdown (Day 17) 🔒
On Day 17, it’s time for lockdown:
Candle eggs to check for signs of life
Remove any non-viable eggs
Immediately return viable eggs to the incubator
Positioning:
Lay eggs on their side
Stop all turning
Step 5: Hatch Window 🐣
Kikirikis often hatch a little earlier than standard breeds.
Typical hatch: Day 19
Some may take slightly longer — be patient
👉 Do NOT rush the process
Step 6: Assisting a Hatch (Only When Necessary)
In most cases, chicks should hatch on their own.
However, intervention may be needed if:
A chick pips but does not progress
Humidity spikes (often from other chicks hatching)
The chick appears “shrink wrapped”
If You Assist:
Gently expose the beak first
Carefully open the shell and membrane
Apply very light pressure to help the chick out
⚠️ Important:
You may encounter small blood vessels
If bleeding occurs, STOP and allow more time
Do NOT fully detach membranes if still active
👉 Only assist when there are clear signs of distress
Step 7: After Hatch 🐥
Allow chicks to fully dry in the incubator
Once dry and fluffed, move to brooder
Leave remaining eggs — some may hatch later
👉 Not all chicks hatch at the same time — this is normal
Humidity Approach 💧
I personally use a dry hatch method:
No added water during incubation
Humidity increases naturally during hatch
This method has worked very well in my program.
👉 If you prefer a wet hatch method, I discuss this in detail in Hatch Like a Scientist
Quick Tips for Success ✨
Stability is more important than constant adjustment
Avoid opening the incubator unnecessarily
Trust the process — Kikirikis are small but resilient
When in doubt, observe before intervening
Final Thoughts 💛
Every hatch is a learning experience.
Even with the best conditions, hatch rates can vary due to factors outside anyone’s control — especially with shipped eggs.
What matters most is:
Patience
Observation
Thoughtful decision-making
You’ve got this 🐣