Incubator for Beginners: 10 Essential Tips to Increase Your HatchRate

Starting with an incubator for beginners can seem hard. Many new users only get about 30 percent of eggs to hatch. You can do better by following steps like turning eggs often, keeping things clean, and holding the temperature steady. It's important to choose the right incubator for birds and quail to help your eggs hatch successfully.

Key Takeaways

• Pick an incubator that is simple to use and has auto temperature control and clear windows. These features let you check on things easily.

• Always keep the incubator clean. Set the right temperature and humidity. Check these often to keep eggs healthy.

• Be gentle when you touch eggs. Store them the right way. This helps you get more strong chicks when they hatch.

Choosing an Incubator for Beginners

Key Features

If you are new to using an incubator, you should pick one that is easy to use. Try to find one that shows you what is happening inside. It should have controls that work by themselves and be simple to clean. Many people who are just starting like small incubators, such as the HB series. These are good for a few eggs and do not take up much room.

Here is a table of important features to look for when picking an incubator:

Tip: Pick an incubator with a clear top or window. This lets you watch your eggs without opening the incubator.

Manual vs. Automatic

You can choose between manual and automatic incubators. Manual ones need you to turn the eggs by hand three times each day. Some people put marks on the eggs to remember which ones to turn. Automatic incubators turn the eggs for you. This saves you time and helps you not forget. Many people who are new like automatic models because they are easier and work better. Some good choices are the Nurture Right 360 and Brinsea Ovation Series. These have good hatch rates and are easy to use. When you pick an incubator, think about how much time you have and what you feel comfortable doing.

Beginner's Guide to Incubation Setup

Initial Setup Steps

Start with a clean incubator. Mix bleach and water. Use this to clean the incubator. Wash it with warm, soapy water. Rinse everything until it is clean. Cleaning stops germs from hurting your eggs. Pick a safe place for your incubator. Plug it in and turn it on. Do not put eggs in yet. Set the temperature to 99.5ºF. Set the humidity between 50 and 55 percent. Use a thermometer and hygrometer to check. Make sure the numbers match what the incubator shows.

Tip: Let your incubator run empty for one day. This helps the temperature and humidity stay steady. You can test if the egg-turner works. Listen for odd sounds or problems during this time.

Placement Tips

Where you put your incubator is important. Do not put it in sunlight or near drafts. Keep it away from windows and doors. A cool, shady spot works best. This keeps the inside steady for your eggs.

• Put your incubator in a quiet room.

• Place it on a flat, strong table.

• Make sure air vents are not blocked.

Doing these steps helps you avoid mistakes. Your eggs will have a good place to grow and hatch.

Temperature & Humidity

Keeping the right temperature and humidity is very important. It helps eggs hatch well in an incubator. You should check your tools and settings often to get the best hatch rate.

Calibration Tools

Always use good tools to measure temperature and humidity. Many incubators do not show the exact numbers. You should use other tools to check.

• Checktemp 1 Digital Thermometer: This thermometer is very accurate. You can test it in ice water to see if it works. The 6-inch probe lets you put it anywhere inside the incubator.

• Western Humidor Analog Dial Hygrometer: This hygrometer is easy to use and check. You can test it every year with the salt method. It helps you watch humidity and is said to be right within ±1%.

Tip: Always check your incubator’s numbers with your own thermometer and hygrometer. This helps you find problems early.

Adjusting Settings

Keep the temperature between 99°F and 102°F for hatching eggs. Most people set it at 99.5°F. For humidity, keep it at 45-50% for the first 18 days. Raise it to 65% for the last few days before hatching. Some eggs need 35-55% at first, then 55-75% at the end. Watch the numbers every day. Small changes can really matter when hatching eggs.

If you do these things, your eggs have a better chance to grow. This is a very important step for beginners using an incubator.

Egg Selection

Choosing Eggs

You need to start with the right eggs for hatching eggs in an incubator. Healthy, fertile eggs give you the best chance for strong chicks. Use this table to help you pick the best eggs:

Tip: Always select eggs that look clean and have no cracks. This helps you avoid problems when hatching eggs.

Handling & Storage

Handle eggs with care. Rough handling can damage the shell or the inside. You should:

• Collect eggs twice a day to keep them fresh.

• Store eggs with the pointy end down or on their side.

• Keep eggs in a cool, dry place between 53°F and 60°F.

• Turn eggs once a day to stop the yolk from sticking.

• Avoid washing eggs. If needed, gently wipe with a soft cloth.

• Try to use eggs within 7 days for the best hatch rate.

You can improve your results with an incubator for beginners by following these steps. Careful handling and good storage help you get more chicks when hatching eggs in an incubator.

Loading Eggs in the Incubator

Placement

When you load eggs into the incubator, you need to pay close attention to how you place them. Always set each egg with the pointed end facing slightly downward. This position helps the embryo develop in the right spot inside the shell. If you use an automatic turner, make sure the eggs fit snugly but do not force them. You want the eggs to stay steady during turning.

Tip: Placing eggs with the pointed end down supports healthy growth and makes hatching eggs in an incubator more successful.

Spacing

Proper spacing is just as important as placement. If you crowd too many eggs together, you block air from moving around each egg. This can cause uneven temperatures and poor air exchange. Both are bad for hatching eggs.

• Leave about one inch of space between each egg.

• Make sure air can flow freely around every egg.

• Avoid stacking eggs or letting them touch each other.

When you give each egg enough room, you help keep the temperature steady and allow oxygen to reach the embryos. Overcrowding can lower your hatch rate because it stops the eggs from getting the air they need. Good spacing is a simple step that makes a big difference when hatching eggs in an incubator.

Note: Correct loading and spacing are key steps for anyone who wants better results from hatching eggs.

Turning Eggs

Frequency

Turning eggs is a key step when you want to get the best results from hatching eggs in an incubator. You need to turn eggs often so the embryo does not stick to the shell. Most experts suggest you turn eggs at least 2-3 times each day. If you want even better results, try to turn them 4-5 times daily. Some modern incubators use an automatic egg turner that turns eggs up to 24 times a day. This high number helps the embryo grow strong and healthy. If you stop turning eggs too early, the hatch rate drops. Always stop turning on day 18 for chicken eggs. This gives the chicks time to get ready for hatching eggs.

Tip: Mark one side of each egg with an "X" and the other with an "O." This helps you remember which eggs you have turned.

Methods

You can turn eggs by hand or use an automatic egg turner. Each method has its own benefits and things to watch for. The table below shows the main differences:

An automatic egg turner makes the job much easier, especially if you have a busy schedule. It helps you avoid missing turns and keeps the eggs moving the right way. If you turn eggs by hand, you must pay close attention and turn them gently. Always stop using the automatic egg turner on day 18 so the chicks can hatch safely.

Monitoring

Daily Checks

You need to check your incubator every day to keep conditions right for hatching eggs in an incubator. Start by looking at the temperature and humidity levels. Write down the numbers so you can spot changes quickly. If your incubator has real-time monitoring, use it to get alerts when something goes wrong. This helps you fix problems before they hurt your eggs.

• Check temperature and humidity levels each morning and evening.

• Turn the eggs 3 to 5 times a day for the first 18 days.

• Make sure air moves well inside the incubator. Open vents if needed.

• Record any alerts or changes in a notebook.

Tip: Quick action when you see a problem can save your hatch. Stay alert and respond fast.

Adjustments

You may need to adjust settings during incubation. If humidity drops, add water or increase the water surface area. If humidity rises too much, open vents or remove some water. Keep relative humidity at 58-60% until three days before hatching eggs, then raise it to 65% or more. Use wet-bulb temperature readings if your incubator supports them. Make sure ventilation holes stay clear, especially as chicks grow and need more oxygen.

• Add water to trays to boost humidity.

• Open vents for better air exchange.

• Stop turning eggs three days before hatch day so embryos can get ready.

You help your chicks grow strong when you watch and adjust your incubator every day. Careful monitoring gives you the best chance for a successful hatch.

Cleanliness

Before & After

You must clean your incubator before and after each use. This keeps germs away from your eggs. Germs can make your hatch rate go down. Wipe places you touch a lot two times a day. Also wipe when you see dirt. Use a gentle soap and water to clean the floors and inside. If there are eggs or chicks inside, only clean the outside. Do not use strong cleaners if eggs or chicks are in the incubator. When you finish, rinse and dry every part well before using it again.

• Wipe places you touch often two times a day.

• Clean floors with gentle soap and water.

• Only clean the outside if eggs or chicks are inside.

• Rinse and dry all parts before you use it again.

Tip: Make a cleaning plan and write down who does each job. This helps you remember and not skip any steps.

Preventing Issues

Good cleaning is very important for hatching eggs in an incubator. Dirty eggshells can have germs that hurt the embryo. This can stop eggs from hatching. You can use a mild salt water mix, like NaCl, to lower germs on eggshells. Clean incubators and careful egg turning help more chicks hatch.

You can see that cleaning and taking care of eggs helps a lot. A clean incubator gives your chicks the best chance to hatch.

Candling & Progress

When to Candle

Candling lets you check the progress of your eggs without opening them. You should candle eggs on day 7 and again on day 10 after you set them in the incubator. This step helps you spot eggs that are not growing or are not fertile. Removing these eggs early keeps your incubator clean and stops bad smells from rotting eggs. If you leave non-fertile or dead eggs inside, they can spoil and harm the healthy ones. By candling at the right times, you give your chicks the best chance for success when hatching eggs in an incubator.

Tip: Use a small, bright flashlight or a built-in candler to see inside the eggs. Work in a dark room for the best view.

What to Look For

When you candle, you want to find out which eggs are healthy and which are not. Healthy eggs show clear signs of growth, while non-viable eggs look empty or have dark spots. Use the table below to help you spot the difference:

You may also notice that freshly laid eggs look yellowish with no shadows or veins. If an egg looks yellow with no shadows after a week or two, it is likely not going to hatch. Moldy or shriveled eggs should be removed right away. Checking your eggs this way helps you track progress and improve your results with hatching eggs.

Preparing for Hatching Eggs

Final Steps

You have reached the last days before hatching eggs in an incubator. On day 18, remove the automatic egg turner from your incubator. This step gives chicks space to move into the right position for hatching. You should also increase the humidity to at least 65%. High humidity keeps the eggs from drying out and helps chicks break through the shell. Keep the temperature steady at 99.5°F.

Here is a quick guide for the final days:

Do not turn the eggs after day 18. Let them rest so the chicks can get ready to hatch. If you used an automatic egg turner, make sure you take it out now.

Tip: Avoid opening the incubator during these last days. Opening the lid can cause humidity to drop fast, which may harm your hatch rate.

Hatch Day

On hatch day, you will see small cracks or hear peeping from inside the eggs. Chicks use their egg tooth to break the shell. This process can take up to 24 hours. You might feel excited, but do not open the incubator. If you open it, you risk losing humidity, which can make it hard for chicks to hatch. Some people think opening the incubator does not hurt, but most agree that keeping it closed gives you the best results.

You will see chicks start to pip and then zip around the shell. Let them dry off inside before moving them. By following these steps, you will properly incubate and hatch eggs with a higher success rate.

You can get more chicks if you follow these 10 tips. Watching your incubator and waiting helps you stop mistakes. Look at the table to see what beginners do wrong and how to fix it:

Tell us your story or ask questions below. Amanda and John tried these steps and got good results. You can do well too!

FAQ

How long does it take for chicken eggs to hatch in an incubator?

Chicken eggs usually hatch in 21 days. You should keep the temperature and humidity steady for the best results.

Can you open the incubator during hatching?

You should not open the incubator during hatching. Opening it can lower humidity and make it hard for chicks to hatch.

What should you do if the power goes out?

Keep the incubator closed. Cover it with a towel to hold heat. Most eggs can survive a short power outage if you act quickly.