An incubator is an artificial way to incubate eggs. In essence, the incubator allows you to incubate eggs without a hen. The incubator mimics the conditions and skills of a hen incubating a fertilized egg, including proper levels of temperature, humidity and ventilation. In order to successfully hatch eggs in an incubator, you need to properly calibrate the incubator and keep its settings stable throughout the incubation period.
Step
Part 1 of 4: Preparation for Using the Incubator
Step 1. Find or buy an incubator
You will need guidelines for the specific type and model of incubator you will be using. The guide given here is for a standard incubator that is affordable for most hobbyists.
- Since there are several types of incubators, it is important to have the correct guide for the specific incubator.
- Be aware that most inexpensive incubators only have manual controls. This means that you should diligently check the temperature, egg turnover, and humidity several times a day. More expensive models will have automatic settings for the process so you don't have to bother – although you still have to check every day.
- If the incubator does not come with a manual, refer to the incubator serial number and manufacturer's name. Check the manufacturer's website for guidance or contact the company's customer service department by phone or email for guidance.
Step 2. Clean the incubator
Wipe or clean any visible dust or dirt on the entire surface of the incubator thoroughly. Then, wipe the entire surface with a clean cloth or sponge dipped in the bleach solution (mix 20 drops of bleach in 1 liter of water.) Wear gloves to protect your hands from the bleach and wring out the cloth or sponge first before wiping the incubator. Allow the incubator to dry completely before you turn it on.
- This cleaning step is especially important if you purchased a used incubator or have stored it long enough to get dusty.
- Remember that cleanliness is very important. Diseases can be transmitted through egg shells to developing embryos.
Step 3. Place the incubator in an area that has little or no temperature fluctuation
The ideal room conditions are 20-24 degrees Celsius. Avoid placing the incubator near windows, air vents, or other areas where air flows or draws in.
Step 4. Plug the incubator cable into the wall outlet
Make sure you don't plug it into an easily dislodged outlet, or where it's easy for children to remove it. Also check if the outlet is working.
Step 5. Add warm water to the humidity pan of the incubator
Refer to the incubator manual to ensure the correct amount of water to add.
Step 6. Calibrate the incubator temperature
You should calibrate the incubator to ensure the temperature is correct and stable “at least 24 hours” before incubating any eggs.
- Be sure to adjust the incubator thermometer so that it measures the ambient temperature that the center of the egg will reach in the incubator.
- Adjust the heat source until the temperature is between 37.2 and 38.9 degrees Celsius (99 and 102 degrees Fahrenheit). Knowing the right incubator temperature is very important. Low temperatures can prevent the embryo from developing, while temperatures that are too high can kill the embryo and cause abnormalities.
Step 7. Wait 24 hours to check the temperature again
The temperature should stay within the target range. Do not add eggs if the temperature turns off target as the eggs will not hatch properly.
Step 8. Get fertile eggs to hatch
We recommend using eggs that are only 7 to 10 days old. The chances of successful hatching decrease as the eggs get older. Don't try to incubate eggs you bought from the supermarket. The eggs sold in these stores are sterile and will not hatch.
- Look for hatcheries or farmers in your area who sell eggs for hatching. You will need the eggs produced by the hens congregating with the male hens, or the eggs are infertile. Contact your local agricultural extension office if you are having trouble sourcing eggs. They may have local poultry farmer recommendations.
- Consider the number of eggs to be incubated. Keep in mind that it is extremely rare for all incubated eggs to hatch and certain species of chickens will have a higher survival rate than others. It is estimated that about 50-75% of the eggs will hatch, although the chances could be higher.
- Store eggs in cardboard at 4.5 to 21.1 degrees Celsius (40 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit) until ready to incubate. Rotate the egg daily by propping it up from a different side of the box each day or carefully turning the box over.
Part 2 of 4: Incubating Eggs
Step 1. Wash your hands before touching the eggs to put in the incubator
You should always wash your hands before handling eggs or the incubator after cleaning with a disinfectant. This will prevent the possibility of bacteria transferring to the egg or its environment.
Step 2. Warm the fertile eggs to room temperature
Warming the eggs will decrease the number and duration of temperature fluctuations in the incubator that occur after you put the eggs in.
Step 3. Mark each side of the egg with a pencil
Mark with a small symbol on one side then mark again with a different symbol on the other side. Marking eggs this way will remind you of the order in which the eggs were turned.
Many people use X and O to mark each side of the egg
Step 4. Place the eggs carefully into the incubator
Make sure the eggs are in a lying position. The large end of the egg should be slightly higher than the pointed end. This is important because the embryo can be misaligned if the pointed end is higher and can make hatching, or the shell-breaking process, difficult when it comes time to hatch.
Make sure the eggs are evenly spaced and not too close to the edges of the incubator or heat source
Step 5. Let the incubator temperature drop after adding the eggs
The temperature will drop temporarily after you put the eggs in the incubator, but the incubator will readjust it if you calibrate it properly.
Do not increase the temperature to compensate for these fluctuations as they may damage or even kill your embryos
Step 6. Record the days and number of eggs you incubated on a calendar
You should be able to estimate the hatch date based on the average incubation time for the hatched bird species. For example, chicken eggs usually take 21 days to hatch, whereas many types of ducks and peacocks take 28 days.
Step 7. Turn the eggs at least three times a day
Rotating the egg and changing its position will help reduce the impact of temperature fluctuations. Screening also mimics the behavior of the female parent.
- Turn eggs with odd numbers every day. This way, the symbol that appears on the egg will change each day after you turn the egg, making it easier for you to see if the egg has been turned on that day.
- As you turn the eggs each day, check for cracked or damaged eggs. Remove immediately if any and throw in the trash.
- Move the eggs to different positions in the incubator.
- Stop turning eggs for the last three days of incubation. At this time, the eggs will soon hatch and screening is no longer needed.
Step 8. Adjust the humidity in the incubator
Humidity should be between 45 and 50 percent during incubation, except during the last three days where it is expected to increase to 65 percent. You may need to increase or decrease the humidity level depending on the type of egg you want to incubate. Check hatcheries or literature on available bird species.
- Measure the humidity level in the incubator. Using a wet bulb thermometer or hygrometer, read the humidity level. Also be sure to record the temperature inside the incubator using a dry bulb thermometer. To find the relative temperature between wet-bulb and dry-bulb temperature readings, check psychometric charts online or in books.
- Fill the water in the water pot regularly. Filling the pan can help maintain the desired level of humidity. If the water runs out, the humidity level will drop too low.
- Always add warm water.
- You can also add a sponge to the pot of water if you want to increase the humidity.
Step 9. Make sure the incubator has adequate ventilation
There should be openings on the sides and top of the incubator to allow air to flow. Check to make sure the vent is at least half opened. You'll need to add ventilation once the chicks start to hatch.
Part 3 of 4: Watching Eggs
Step 1. Binocular eggs after 7 to 10 days
Candling is done by using a light source to see the development of the embryo inside the egg. After 7 to 10 days, you will see the development of the embryo. Binoculars allow you to transfer eggs with undeveloped embryos.
Step 2. Find a can or box that is large enough to fit a light bulb
Make a hole in the can or box that is smaller in diameter than the egg.
Step 3. Turn on the bulb
Take one incubated egg and hold it over the hole. You will see a cloudy shape if the embryo is developing. The embryo will enlarge as it approaches the hatching date.
If the egg looks clear, the embryo is not developing or the egg was sterile from the start
Step 4. Remove eggs that do not show embryo development from the incubator
These are eggs that do not grow and will not hatch.
Part 4 of 4: Hatching Eggs
Step 1. Prepare for hatching
Stop turning and turning the eggs three days before the expected hatching date. Most viable eggs will hatch within a 24-hour period.
Step 2. Place cheesecloth under the egg tray before the eggs hatch
This cheesecloth will help catch broken eggs and other objects during and after the eggs hatch.
Step 3. Increase the humidity level in the incubator
The humidity level should be 65%. Add more water or a sponge to the pot of water to increase the humidity.
Step 4. Keep the incubator closed until the chicks hatch
Do not open it until the chicks are three days old.
Step 5. Transfer the dry chicks to the prepared place
It is important to leave the chicks in the incubator to dry. This takes four to six hours. You can leave the chicks in the incubator for up to 1 or 2 more days, but you'll need to lower the temperature to 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit).
Step 6. Remove the empty shell from the incubator and clean it
Once the incubator is clean, you can start the process all over again!
