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aising your own chicks has always been fulfilling, regardless of your reason for doing so, to teach responsibility as a teacher or as a parent, or simply for your farm. While the success rate is not always 100%, when left to a hen, an egg incubator can definitely help raise it in the long run. Easy to use and clean, providing the eggs with a constant temperature level and the right amount of humidity, there are several types already on the market for you to choose from. However, with so many, you might wonder which one is best suited for your needs. So, we’ve come to your aid, offering you our best recommendations.
This is your go-to option if you want high-quality and performance. It has 7 inches in height, a diameter of 12.5 inches, and it weighs 3 pounds. It is capable of holding 7 eggs at once, and it offers you the possibility of monitoring all the time how the eggs fare, thanks to its clear dome. It is made from Biomaster anti-microbial plastic, thus you can be sure the chicks will be in a safe and hygienic environment, as well as providing you with an easy way to clean.
The central water reservoirs offer the humidity of the egg, while the 2 egg-disks, one made to hold 7 eggs and one which can support 12, smaller eggs, will allow you diversity. Thus, you can place hen eggs, duck eggs, quail or pheasant eggs inside. Additionally, it has a minimum power consumption of 12W, a maximum of 20W, and it comes with a warranty of 3 years from the moment of your purchase.
Digital Control
It comes with a digital micro-control which allows you to take advantage of its several functions by pressing just a few buttons. The display will show you the incubation temperature, days left till hatching, and the eggs’ turning status.
Features and Functions
Temperature control – you can decide at what temperature the eggs should be, as well as what type of degrees you want to see on the screen – Celsius or Fahrenheit. It ranges from 20.0° C – 40.0°C (68.0°F – 104.0°F), and it has a preset of 37.5°C (99.5° F). Additionally, it has a periodic incubation cooling which switches the heater off for a while once every 24 hours. Its range can be set between 10 and 360 minutes, but it is not recommended to use it before the 7 days of incubation or during the hatching period.
Turning modes, intervals, and angles – you can set it to on, automatic or off. The turning interval has a customizable delay between turns, ranging from 15 to 180 minutes (default is at 45 minutes). The angles in which the eggs are turned are dependent on how long the motor runs as the range is 1-20 seconds, with a default of 5 seconds. The turning will stop 2 days prior to hatching.
Countdown to hatching – it will tell you how many days are left, till the chicks appear. It must be set for each batch.
Alarm limits – you can set alarms to tell you when the temperature is too hot, ranging from 1.0 – 5.0°C (1.8 – 9.0°F) above set incubation temperature, or too cold 1.0 – 5.0°C (1.8 – 9.0°F) below the settings.
PROS
Allows several types of eggs
Has automatic turning
Countdown to hatching
Temperature customizable control
CONS
There’s not too much space for hatched chicks
There were some complaints about the humidity not being shown on screen
Verdict
It provides you with a safe, hygienic and easy to clean space for you to hatch chicks. Additionally, it has 2 disks, one with 7-egg capacity and the other with 14-small-egg capacity, to provide you with diversity in hatching. Thanks to the temperature controls you can set it according to what you plan to hatch, while its automatic rotation will make sure to keep the eggs warm. It will also tell you how many days are left till the eggs hatch, as well as allowing you to raise the humidity without opening the dome.
Egg types: Duck, parrot, quail, goose, down, owl, hen
Separators : 4
Warranty: 1 years
It is made from durable PP and ABS, and it measures 13.98 inches in width, 7.48 in length and 6.89 inches in height, it weighs 4.85 pounds, and it has a capacity of 9 to 12 eggs, depending on the egg type. It can hold several types of eggs, like duck, parrot, quail, goose, dove, owl and hen, offering you variation. The egg tray measures 6.89 inches in width, 7.09 inches in length and 1.34 inches in height and it comes with 4 separators which measure 1.10 inches in width, and 6.69 inches in length.
It features an automatic thermometer, which will let you know how many degrees are inside, with temperature control, ranging from 30° C-40°C(86℉-104℉) to allow you to customize it according to what eggs you’re hatching. Additionally, it requires an ambient temperature between 10° C-40℃ (50℉-104℉), a voltage of 110-120V, and it has a power <60W. It features an automatic egg turner, with auto-rotation functions, and it has a humidity setting, which allows you to supply it with water in order to maintain a good hatching environment. Additionally, it comes with a 1-year warranty from the moment of your purchase.
PROS
Allows several types of eggs
Temperature settings
Adjustable egg tray
Easy to use and clean
CONS
Humidity is preset and can’t be adjusted.
There were some complaints about fluctuating temperature.
Verdict
It allows you a hassle-free and easy way to incubate eggs, providing you with enough space to place a large variety of them. You can adjust the temperature according to the stage and type of egg, while the automatic rotation will make sure that the eggs are equally warm on all sides.
It is made from durable Styrofoam which provides excellent thermal insulation, while the soft air-fan technology will ensure fresh air and an even temperature throughout the incubator. It has a large 12-inch by 12-inch viewing window, to allow you to supervise the process without opening the lid, and it has a clear plastic tray for humidity control. It comes with digital display control, which allows you to easily read the digital LED-lit screen at all times, and with a push button digital thermostat control to allow you to adjust the temperature, or use the pre-set one, 100° F (37.5°C). Moreover, it comes with a digital hygrometer, as well, to allow you to constantly supervise the humidity and adjust it accordingly.
Additionally, thanks to the IncuTurn function, the eggs will be automatically turned from one side to the other, to ensure they are warm on all sides, as it will gently roll them 6 times per day. It has a universal egg tray for different egg sizes, and it has an approximate capacity of 40 chicken or duck eggs, 70 quail and 28 goose eggs. It has a 12V DC power system and it is compatible with any 110V and 220V outlets. It has a limited 1-year warranty from the moment of your purchase.
PROS
Temperature setting
Thermostat included
Hygrostat included
Automatic egg turning
CONS
There were some complaints about it needing calibration
Some complained about it lacking a plastic outer casing
Verdict
It allows you to observe and adjust accordingly the humidity and temperature levels with only a touch of a button. The automatic turner will make sure the eggs are warmed evenly, while thanks to the large viewing window, there is no need for you to open the lid in order to see the process.
It is made from sturdy and durable ABS, which will make sure to protect the eggs, and it measures 18 inches in length, 13.8 inches in width and 8 inches in height, and it weighs 5.7 pounds. It can support up to 32 chicken eggs, and it can be used for different types of birds like chicken, duck, quail, parrot, and pigeon.
It has an intelligent control panel, which shows you how many days are left till the eggs hatch, as well as allowing you total control over the temperature found inside. You can easily adjust it from 20 degrees C up to 40 degrees C. Moreover, it comes with an automatic egg turner, which will make sure the eggs are warm equally on all sides, as it will rotate them every 2 hours for 10 seconds at a time. They are turned at an angle of 30 degrees, and there will be no heat loss in the process.
It comes with a sensitive humidity sensor, which will tell you when you have to add more water, while the loud alarm will tell you if the temperature or the humidity has gone too high. Additionally, it comes with lights, to allow you to easily see inside the eggs, while the transparent case allows you to supervise the entire hatching process without opening the lid. It comes with a 150ml water injector which enables you to easily add water without opening the lid.
PROS
Hygrometer
Automatic egg turning
LED lights
Loud alarm
CONS
There were some complaints about the temperature control
Some complained about the design
Verdict
While it is easy to use, it is a bit difficult to clean. It features an automatic egg turner, which will make sure to rotate the eggs every 2 hours for 10 seconds, to ensure they are equally warm on all sides. Moreover, it features lights, to allow you to see better, and the transparent top allows you to supervise the hatching process. It comes with intelligent temperature control, as well as a hygrometer, to allow you to easily keep track of the situation the eggs are in.
Material: PC and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)
Auto-turning :
Temperature settings:
Hygrometer :
Egg types: Hen, duck, quail, goose, parrot, owl
Separators : 4
Warranty: 100% money back guarantee in 30 days, 1 year
It measures 13.89 inches in length, 7.48 inches in width and 6.89 inches in height, and has a weight of 4.76 pounds. It is made from PC and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and it has a while-like semi-transparent design. It is capable of holding 9 to 12 eggs at the same time, depending on the egg size, as it can hold chicken, goose, duck, parrot, quail and owl eggs, thus providing you with versatility.
Additionally, thanks to the digital thermometer it comes with you will be able to check the temperature constantly – 1°C – 38°C – without disrupting the process, thanks to its LED display. It has a fully automatic egg turning system, which will make sure the eggs are warm on all sides, but you will have to put water inside by yourself, as it doesn’t have a humidity readout. It uses a voltage of 110-120V, has a frequency of 50-60Hz, and its power is <60W. It has a vent hole placed right on top of the lid, to allow proper air ventilation. It comes with a 100% money-back guarantee in 30 days, and 1 year of warranty, from the moment of your purchase.
PROS
Automatic egg turning system
Digital thermometer
Temperature settings
Can hold a variety of eggs
CONS
Doesn’t have a humidity gauge
Some complained about the manual being difficult to understand
Verdict
It allows you to hatch several types of eggs, as it provides you with enough space to fit 9 up to 12 eggs at the same time. Thanks to its automatic rotation system, the eggs will be kept warm on all sides, while thanks to its temperature settings, you can easily adjust it accordingly.
It measures 12.59 inches in length, 8.26 inches in width and 4.92 inches in height, and it can support several types of eggs. Thus, it can accommodate 18-21 pigeon eggs, 12-15 chicken eggs or 3-6 goose eggs, or 24-28 quail eggs, so you can easily hatch different types of birds. It features an automatic egg turner, which will make sure to rotate the eggs every 2 hours, thus you won’t have to manually do it, and therefore there won’t be any heat lost in the process. It comes with 6 dividers, thus it offers plenty of space for the eggs to fit.
Moreover, at the bottom, it comes with 5 sinks, to allow you to add as much water as you need, thus providing you with control over the humidity. For 15 to 21 days you can fill them all, for 8 to 14 days, only 3 rows should be filled, while in the last week, from 1 to 7 days, one row is enough to sustain the humidity. In two of the corners it comes with water drainage, which allows you to easily get rid of any excess water, and they can also work as vent when there’s no more water inside.
Furthermore, it comes with two PS insulating layers, top and bottom, which act as a temperature stabilizer, and it is equipped with styrofoam, thus it allows you to maintain a convenient temperature for the chicks. It is recommended to be used when the environment is below 20 degrees C. It comes with an easy to clean interior structure, and it comes with a transparent, see-through top lid, to allow you to view the entire hatching process without opening the lid.
It features an automatic digital temperature control, for hassle-free use, and it has an automatic shut-down feature which will turn the unit off when the heater temperature rises too much. It comes with a limited 90 day return period and a limited 1-year warranty from the moment of your purchase.
PROS
Automatic digital temperature control
Humidity control
Transparent see-through lid
Automatic egg turning
CONS
You can’t switch between Celsius and Fahrenheit
Some complained about its durability
Verdict
Easy to use, it is also easy to clean, and it provides you with plenty of space to hatch different types of eggs. It has 6 egg dividers, and it features an automatic egg turner, which will make sure to rotate them every 2 hours. Additionally, it has a large water tray, with 5 sinks, to allow you total control over the humidity, while the transparent top allows you to view the entire hatching process.
Material: Transparent, resistant, and durable PP and ABS
Auto-turning :
Temperature settings:
Hygrometer :
Egg types: Hen, duck, quail, goose
Separators : 4
Warranty: 1 year
It measures 7 inches in height, 13 inches in width and 7.5 inches in-depth, and it weighs 3.5 pounds. It is made from a mix of transparent yet resistant and durable PP and ABS, allowing you full view of the entire hatching process, without requiring you to open the lid. It can hold up to 9 standard-size chicken eggs or 12 small quail eggs, and it works for all types of birds.
It features an automatic egg turner, with 4 egg separation bars included, which will make sure the eggs are equally warm on all sides, so you won’t have to turn them manually, and it comes with an easy-to-use control panel, to allow you quick temperature selection. The set button will select the mode in which you want the unit to work, as well as allowing you to select your desired temperature, with 1/10th of a degree Celsius. The 2 indicator lights will tell you when the heating is working and when the setup mode is active.
Additionally, it comes with a top-placed air vent, to allow proper ventilation, while the built-in fan will make sure to evenly distribute the heat inside. While it doesn’t come with its hygrometer, it does come with a water reservoir, thus you will have to check the water level from time to time. It has easy-to-read instructions, with detailed illustrations for a hassle-free setup process, and it comes with a free mini egg candle to aid you in the hatching process. It also comes with a hatching grid and an incubation grid, and it has a spare fuse, too. It comes with a limited 1-year warranty from the moment of your purchase.
PROS
Automatic egg turner
Digital thermometer
Can hold a variety of eggs
Easy to use and clean
CONS
Doesn’t come with a hygrometer
There were some complaints about the temperature settings
Verdict
It features an easy to use control panel, which allows you to quickly set your desired temperature for the type of egg you’re incubating, as well as an automatic egg turning system which simplifies the process. Additionally, you can easily view the entire hatching process thanks to the transparent walls it has.
It measures 11.4 inches in width, 17.3 inches in length and 9 inches in height, has a weight of 10.3 pounds, and it comes with a capacity of holding up to 24 eggs, depending on their size. It is made from PC and ABS, and it is Rohs, CE, C-tick approved. The egg tray measures 10.3 inches in width, 12.6 inches in length, and 2.3 inches in height, and it has an automatic turning feature to ensure the eggs are evenly warmed up on all sides.
It can hold chicken, ducks, and geese, and thanks to its clear window around the eggs you will be able to supervise the process at all times. It features temperature control, ranging from 30 °C to 40 °C, and it is best placed in an ambient temperature between 10 °C and 40 °C. It doesn’t have a hygrometer of its own, so you will need to check with a separate one what the humidity is. Additionally, it has an operating voltage of 110-120V with a 50HZ frequency and a power of less than 85W, and it comes with a 1-year warranty from the moment of your purchase.
PROS
Temperature setting
Automatic turning
Clear, transparent window
Large capacity
CONS
Doesn’t have a hygrometer
There were some complaints about the instructions
Verdict
It will automatically rotate all eggs to ensure they are evenly warm on all sides, while thanks to the temperature settings you can always adjust it according to what type of eggs you use. Additionally, thanks to the clear window you will be able to watch the process without opening the lid.
It measures 18 inches in length, 18 inches in width and 9 ½ inches in height, it weighs 1.68 pounds, and it requires 110V AC to function properly. It features a thermal air flow, which, thanks to its 25 watt-heat tube, will warm the air evenly, making sure to use a circular-like motion to draw fresh air from the bottom, while the top-place vents will provide great air circulation. Additionally, it comes with a wafer-style thermostat, to let you know how many degrees are inside (72°F – 110°F), while thanks to its plastic sanitation liner which comes equipped with built-in humidity channels you can easily make sure the humidity inside is perfect for the eggs.
While it doesn’t come with a hygrometer, it does have great insulation thanks to its polystyrene case, which will also make sure it is sturdy and strong. Moreover, it is able to hold up to 50 chicken or duck eggs, and 130 quail eggs. While it doesn’t come with an automatic egg turner, you can purchase it separately, if you wish to, as well as other several accessories. It comes with 2 4 x 6” windows, to allow you to supervise the process without removing the lid, while thanks to its rubber-coated mesh floor, you will be able to easily clean it up when necessary. Even more, it comes with a limited 1-year warranty from the moment of your purchase.
PROS
Accurate thermostat
Viewing windows
Allows several types of eggs
Easy to clean and use
CONS
It doesn’t have a hygrometer
It doesn’t come with an automatic egg turner
Verdict
Easy to clean and use, you can easily supervise the entire hatching process without opening the lid, thanks to its 2 viewing windows. Additionally, it can hold up to 50 chicken or duck eggs, but you will have to manually turn them one by one. But thanks to its reliable thermostat, you will constantly know the temperature inside.
How to Choose One for Successful Hatchings
Nothing is more rewarding than hatching your chicks at home. There are several types of egg incubators already on the market, ranging from the most basic and simplest designs, best suited for beginners to the most complex types best suited for professionals. However, regardless of which genre you fit into, before jumping into egg hatching, you’ll have to make sure you have the right equipment for the job. So, to help you determine which incubator type suits your needs best, let’s discuss each of them in detail.
Types
Still air – the basic incubator model. It only comes with the basic functions like heating and fanning, with water channels and a platform. As their name implies these types won’t recirculate the air, resulting in still, hot air. However, this might affect the overall hatching percentage, as there might be cold and warm spots.
Pros
Cons
Less expensive
They won’t turn the eggs automatically
Good for beginners
Won’t adjust the temperature on their own
Come with basic accessories to hatch an egg
Won’t recirculate the air for an even temperature
Circulated air – the intermediate models, they are also known as the force air incubators as they will recirculate the air around, evening the temperature as much as possible. They also come with decent hatching rates, as they eliminate cold spots.
Pros
Cons
Circulate the air
Won’t turn the eggs automatically
Good for beginners
Won’t regulate the temperature
Eliminates cold spots
Fully automatic – these are the best models if you’re looking for professional hatching. As their name implies they have automatic features that will make your job a lot less stressful. You can set the temperature, it will control the humidity and it will automatically turn the eggs at a certain time interval. They vary in style and size, as the largest can cater up to 56 eggs at once.
Pros
Cons
Automatic egg turning
More expensive than other models
Automatic humidity and temperature control
Automatic air circulation
Increased hatching rate
Several sizes and capacities
Depending on how often you want to hatch eggs, as well as how much time you plan on investing in the process, all three incubator types will help you achieve your end goal.
Other Features You Should Consider
Price – what is your budget? Can you afford a more expensive incubator instead of a simple one? Are you planning to hatch eggs for commercial use or residential use? Before jumping into acquiring one, make sure to plan ahead.
Control – how much free time can you invest in taking care of the hatching process? Are you able to spend time turning the eggs manually and often checking the temperature? Depending on your answer, as well as preferences you can choose a manual unit or a fully automatic one.
Size – think about how many eggs you’re planning on hatching at once. Once that’s covered, think a bit further. Are you going to hatch only chicken eggs, or are you considering trying other types of birds, like ducks or geese? According to what your plan is, you should make sure the incubator you want to acquire can fit the eggs you plan on hatching.
Material and cleaning – Depending on what type of material it is made from, you’ll not only be able to view the entire hatching process without opening the lid to watch, but you’ll also be able to clean it up easily.
All in all, if you plan your process beforehand, as well as keep in mind your end goals when choosing an incubator, you can’t choose wrong, regardless of which type of incubator you acquire.
Frequently Asked Questions
?What is the ideal humidity?
While it is not a set-in-stone value, as it is still in debate among the experts, it is advised not to let it fall beneath 25% or go above 60%. Additionally, make sure to increase it during the last three days, to 70-80% to aid the chicks in hatching.
?How many times should the eggs be turned?
To ensure they are warmed evenly, they should be turned 2-3 times per day, or, if you can 4 to 5 times a day. However, DO NOT turn them in the last three days before hatching.
?What is the optimal temperature?
For common birds – chicken, duck, quail, goose, pheasant, etc. – the generally accepted value is 99.5° F (37.5°C). However, some prefer to use their own experience and set the temperature higher or lower. In either case, the too high or too low temperature might have negative effects on the birds.
Verdict
Easy to use, presenting you with the opportunity of having a high success rate in hatching the eggs you want, egg incubators come in different shapes and sizes. So, to make sure you’ve picked the right incubator type for your needs, let’s review them once again:
Best Overall: Brinsea Products Mini II
Brinsea Products Mini II is a great choice if you want a hassle-free hatching process. The unit will tell you how many days are left until the chicks appear, as well as providing stable humidity during the incubation period. It will automatically turn the eggs according to your settings, and it gives you the freedom of selecting the optimal temperature according to the types of eggs, as well as having it displayed in Celsius or Fahrenheit.
Our Choice: Magicfly MF014
Perfect hot hatching small quantities of eggs, Magicfly MF014 comes iwth an auto turning feature as well as an adjustable temperature to make sur eyou’ll have total control over the egg environment. Equipped with 4 separators, it can support different types of eggs including duck, parrot, quali, goose, and even owl. Therefore it will provide you with versatility.
Best Egg Incubator for Beginners: Magicfly Janoel 24
If you’re just starting out on the egg-hatching process and you’re not yet completely familiar with what you should do, then you should consider Magicfly Janoel 24. It comes with an auto turning function, which will save you from manually turning them from one side to the other, while the automatic temperature settings enable you to have total control. The clear window will allow you to see the entire process without the need to remove the lid, and it comes with a generous capacity.
Best Incubator for Capacity: NUME PROD
If you need an incubator that can support a large quantity of eggs at the same time, then G.Q.F. 1602N Hova-Bator is a choice you should look into. It can support up to 50 eggs at once, and it features adjustable temperature settings to allow you to control how warm the egg environment is. Equipped with buil-in humidity channles you’ll be able to esily observe when adding water is necesary, while the large viewing window will provide you with a front row seat when the chicks hatch.
Our Choice
Best for Beginners
Best for Capacity
