Setting up a store bought Egg Incubator

In this article we look at all the factors that influence successful incubation of chicken eggs at home.

Incubating Chicken Eggs in a 56 Egg Incubator: A Complete Guide

Welcome to our step-by-step guide on successfully incubating chicken eggs in a store-bought 56 egg incubator. In this presentation, we provide an overview of the incubation process and the key factors that will help ensure success.

Overview of Incubating Chicken Eggs

Why Incubate?

Incubating chicken eggs allows for controlled and efficient hatching of chicks, saving time and increasing hatch rates.

What to Expect

Incubation takes approximately 21 days and requires attention to temperature, humidity, and egg turning for the best results.

Egg Development

During incubation, chicken embryos develop in stages from yolk to chick, forming bones, wings, and feathers.

Selecting Eggs for Incubation

Fertilized Eggs

Only fertilized eggs should be incubated - these have a small white spot on the yolk and hatch into chicks.

Egg Quality

Choose eggs that are of good quality, free from cracks, and collected within 7 days prior to incubation.

Breed Selection

Select eggs from healthy, reputable breeders of your desired chicken breed.

Preparing the Eggs and Incubator for Successful Incubation

Egg Cleaning

Gently clean the eggs with warm water and mild soap to remove any dirt or bacteria.

Incubator Setup

Place the incubator in a stable location and follow the manufacturer's instructions for temperature and humidity control.

Egg Placement

Place the clean eggs in the incubator with the pointed end facing downwards to ensure proper development.

Incubator Maintenance

Keep the incubator clean and regularly monitor the temperature and humidity levels to ensure optimal conditions.

Temperature Control During Incubation

Temperature Regulation

Maintain a consistent temperature of 37.6 degrees Celsius throughout incubation using the incubator's thermostat.

Hatch Alarm

Set a hatch alarm to alert you to any sudden changes in temperature that may affect the eggs.

Moving Eggs

If you need to move eggs, be sure to preheat your hands and the incubator, and handle eggs gently to avoid stress to the embryos.

Humidity Control During Incubation

Initial Humidity

Set the initial humidity to 50-60% and increase to 70-80% in the last few days of incubation.

Adding Water

Monitor humidity levels and add water to the incubator as needed to maintain optimal conditions.

Airing Eggs

You can periodically air eggs to reduce high humidity levels and prevent bacterial growth.