The duration required for a chick to develop and hatch from an egg varies greatly depending on bird species. A listing of incubation periods and recommended incubation conditions for many commonly observed bird species is shown in Hatching Quality Chicks and Hatchery Management.

In general, the incubation periods are 21 days for chickens, 23 days for bobwhite quail, 28 days for turkeys and most ducks, 17 days for Coturnix (pharaoh) quail and about 33 days for geese. The length of incubation will vary depending on egg collection and storage conditions and incubation conditions. Length of the incubation period can be altered drastically if recommended conditions are not maintained.