If you prefer to raise your own chickens so that you get a regular supply of fresh eggs you will be aware that you will need new chickens all round the year. Older hens produce fewer eggs and if you have new birds to replace them you can maintain a steady supply of eggs.
However, chicken breeders always face the issue of deciding whether to have hens to sit on the eggs or use an incubator instead. After all, most breeders use incubators so that they do not have to depend on the hen to sit on the eggs!
What To Look For In An Incubator
There are many factors that you need to consider when you go about looking for a good incubator, here are the key considerations:
- Number of Eggs – The most important factor is the number of eggs that you would like to hatch. You must remember that the more eggs you hatch the greater will be your chances of having a large number of chicks since not every egg will produce a healthy chick.
- Space – The amount of space that an incubator will occupy will be of prime consideration especially if space is a constraint for you. There are incubators available that can hold eggs vertically thereby saving space.
- Flexibility – If you intend to produce ducks, geese, turkeys and other different breeds you will need incubators with adaptable holders and adjustable humidity.
- Automation – Would you like your incubator to be fully automatic? With an automatic incubator you can set the eggs and forget about them until they hatch. The incubator will not only control the temperature but will also turn the eggs for you.
Here are some great options that you can consider:
1. Brinsea Octagon 20 ECO Auto Turn Egg Incubator
The Brinsea Octagon 20 is one of the most popular incubators and can hold 24 eggs. The automatic egg turning feature will save you the trouble of turning the eggs manually. The Octagon 20 can be used for a variety of breeds with the help of a removable egg tray that comes with dividers to enable you to position your eggs suitably.
It also has a built-in temperature control system with a flashing indicator as well as a liquid glass thermometer. A vent slider on the front panel helps in controlling the fan. Two reservoirs that are located beneath the unit, supply water to be used for the humidification process. The Octagon 20 is very well-insulated for energy conservation which in turn leads to an optimal thermal distribution.
Pros
- The Octagon 20 has a transparent top that enables you to watch the eggs as they are being turned and incubated.
- With a single machine you can incubate eggs for a variety of breeds with the help of the adjustable holder.
- The turning process is automated which allows you to use the time for other productive purposes.
- The temperature is tracked with an accurate display and the humidity can be adjusted by using the sliding vent that is placed prominently on the front panel of the machine.
- The unit’s shell is tough and long-lasting due to its injection molded exterior. The smooth surface of the shell also makes it very easy to clean.
- The egg dividers are a great help if you want to maximize the number of chicks that the incubator can hold.
Cons
- While the large size of the incubator means that it can hold more eggs, it also means more space since it will take up more room than a mini incubator.
- The turning motor does not have an auto shutoff feature which means that you will have to switch it off manually. However, the motor happens to be a separate unit which makes it easy for you replace it whenever needed without changing the entire machine.
2. Eteyo 48 Egg Incubator
The Eteyo is an automatic incubator that can hold 48 chicken eggs. It turns the eggs every 2 hours freeing up the time that it takes to do it manually. An alarm goes off if the temperature fluctuates too much after you set it between 30°C and 42°C.
A clear display on the front panel makes it easy to read the countdown timer and temperature. Moreover, the device is long lasting due to the tough material that it is made of. Cleaning it becomes easy since it has a smooth surface on the outside.
Pros
- With a single machine you can incubate eggs for a variety of breeds with the help of the adjustable holder.
- The turning process is automated which allows you to use the time for other productive purposes.
- The temperature is tracked with an accurate display and the humidity can be adjusted by using the sliding vent that is placed prominently on the front panel of the machine.
- The unit’s shell is tough and long-lasting due to its injection molded exterior. The smooth surface of the shell also makes it very easy to clean.
- The egg dividers are a great help if you want to maximize the number of chicks that the incubator can hold.
Cons
- Some users found that it doesn’t hold a temperature to their expectations.
3. Brinsea Mini Advance Hatching Egg Incubator
The Mini Advance Incubator has clear sides enabling you to watch the eggs as they are being turned. The automatic feature that turns the eggs for you is extremely useful if you are short of time. The turning has been programmed to stop 2 days before the eggs hatch.
The incubator can hold 7 hen’s eggs or duck’s eggs in its rotating disk. You can also use quail’s eggs and pheasant’s eggs if you purchase a smaller disk that is available. A fan that is located inside regulates the airflow. The exterior of the machine has an antimicrobial coating and is very durable.
Pros
- Since it is fully automatic it saves you time and effort.
- You are assured of a bacteria-free environment for your eggs due to the anti-microbial coating on the exterior plastic of the incubator.
- You can check the temperature and humidity at any time with the help of the clear digital display in the machine.
- The presence of a fan inside means that the eggs will be heated evenly thereby increasing the number of healthy chicks that they will produce.
Cons
- It has a smaller capacity with space for holding 7 eggs. This incubator is meant for those who do not mind hatching 7 chicks at a time, which could be perfect for beginners.
Conclusion
The Brinsea Mini Advance Incubator is a good automatic incubator with an anti-microbial coating on the exterior and is meant for those who want to hatch just a few chicks. If it is going to be your first incubator then go for it. Click here to get the best price for the Mini Advance incubator.
The Brinsea Octagon 20 ECO Auto Turn Egg Incubator is a simple automatic machine that is known for its excellent performance and is really easy to use. With a holding capacity of 24 eggs you will have several healthy chicks each week. If you need a larger supply of eggs this is the one that you should go for. Click here to read more about the Octagon 20.
The EggCubator EY48 automatic incubator holds 48 eggs and has various useful features with which you can create the best incubation environment for producing many healthy chicks. At the great price that it is available at Amazon the EggCubator EY48 is highly recommended for an automatic performance along with the capacity of holding the largest number of eggs. Click hereto get more information.