Killdeer eggs typically take about 24 to 28 days to hatch. Both the male and female share incubation duties during this period

. The incubation starts once all the eggs have been laid, so although the first-laid egg may be in the shell longer, development begins simultaneously for all embryos when warmth from the parents begins

. This incubation period is relatively long compared to some other birds, but killdeer chicks hatch precocial, meaning they are able to move and feed themselves shortly after hatching