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Setting Chicken Eggs by the Moon's Sign 2026

Chicken sitting on eggs in a straw nest
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The 2026 Best Days to Set Eggs

Written By: Catherine Boeckmann Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

Here are the best days to set eggs. Farmers swear that this age-old practice produces healthier chickens that mature faster. Learn more about calculating the best days to set chicken hatching eggs.

What is Setting Eggs?

Setting the eggs involves placing chicken eggs inside an incubator or under a hen. An incubator is an enclosed structure set to 100.5°F with 50 to 55% humidity. It keeps eggs warm during the 21-day incubation period. When using an incubator, you set a minimum of six eggs at one time in the egg tray.

Why Are There Best Days to Set Eggs?

According to tradition, farmers swear that there are more fruitful times of the month to set eggs. Chickens hatched just before a full Moon (during the waxing moon phase) were said to be stronger and have a better chance of survival. Conversely, chicks that hatched during a waning moon would be weaker.

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Rather than picking any random date to set your eggs, try setting the dates by the Moon!

2026 Best Days to Set Eggs

  • January:  1, 9, 10, 27-29
  • February: 5, 6, 25
  • March: 4, 5
  • April: 1, 2, 10, 28, 29
  • May: 7, 8, 25, 26
  • June: 3-5, 23, 30
  • July: 1, 2, 28, 29
  • August: 7, 24, 25
  • September: 3, 4, 20-22, 30
  • October: 1, 3, 19, 28, 29
  • November: 24, 25
  • December: 21-23, 30, 31

Chicks hatching from eggs

How to Calculate Dates to Set Eggs

We’ve found the best dates to lay eggs for this calendar year above. But if you want to know how it’s done, here’s the process: 

  • Chicks take about 21 days to hatch.
  • Those born under a waxing Moon are healthier and mature faster. Further, those born in the fruitful signs of Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces are healthier.
  • To ensure that chicks are born during these times, set eggs (place eggs in an incubator or under a hen) 21 days before the desired hatching time.

EXAMPLE:

  1. The Moon is new on March 21 and full on April 6 (EDT). (See Moon phases for your area.)
  2. Between these dates, the Moon is in the sign of Cancer on March 28 through 30. (Reference the Moon’s Astrological Place calendar in The Old Farmer’s Almanac.
  3. To have chicks born on March 28, count back 21 days.
  4. Set eggs on March 7!

Read more about Raising Chickens, our six-part beginner series.

Chickens
About The Author
Catherine Boeckmann

Catherine Boeckmann

Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

Catherine Boeckmann is the Executive Digital Editor of Almanac.com, the website companion of The Old Farmer's Almanac. She covers gardening, plants, pest control, soil composition, seasonal and moon c...
Read More from Catherine Boeckmann

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Comments

<span>Tammy</span> Thu, 01/11/2018 - 00:00
Rather ridiculous, but entertaining.
<span>Barbara Chandler</span> Sat, 01/16/2016 - 11:54
When is the true best days to raise baby chicks or buy them
<span>Chris Daneil</span> Thu, 07/20/2017 - 04:21
Can u giv m the idea of raised chicken
<span>Angela Nelson …</span> Thu, 04/23/2015 - 13:52
How long will the fertilized eggs keep when you store them before setting day?
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Fri, 04/24/2015 - 10:26

For up to 1 week; any longer and hatch rates will be affected. Keep the fertile, unwashed eggs positioned with pointed end down, in a cool and humid place in the open (temperature between 40 and 60 degrees F). Turn them daily, keeping the pointy end down. The fertility is shortened by high temperature. The earlier the eggs are set, the better. Allow the eggs to warm up slowly before placing in an incubator.

 <span>Sherri Becker</span> Tue, 01/31/2023 - 20:28
Why do you say put the pointed end down but here you state to put the pointed end up? Eggs under a hen has its pointed end sitting sideways.
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Thu, 02/02/2023 - 16:15

Before they go in an incubator, fertile eggs can be stored pointy-end-down in an egg carton for a short period of time. Once they're put in an incubator, they should be placed on their sides and rotated periodically.

 <span>Terrie Brintle</span> Wed, 05/18/2022 - 23:05
So which is it…pointy end down or pointy end up? You say both in your reply, so, we the readers, do not know which is correct!
<span>Peggy Thatcher</span> Wed, 03/05/2025 - 15:13
Pointy end down
<span>Gil Sumaya</span> Tue, 12/23/2014 - 05:36
Where can I find the 2015 best days to set eggs calendar?