How to choose a chicken egg incubator model

Egg incubators can also come in handy at home. Some models provide the desired mode of operation, holding up to 500 eggs at a time.

Table of Contents
  1. What is an incubator and what is it used for?
  2. How material is transported in incubators
  3. Popular domestic incubator
  4. “Laying” apparatus
  5. Other popular models
  6. What to look for when buying an automatic incubator
  7. If you make an incubator yourself

Инкубаторы для куриных яиц

Chicken egg incubators

Having decided to raise chickens, you should be aware of the characteristics of the birth rate of chicks, as well as hatching of eggs by a hen . It is not difficult to monitor birds if they are reared in small quantities. But for owners of large farms it is advisable to raise chickens in the incubator. The use of such devices allows achieving good bird survival rates. In addition, the farmer himself takes minimal part in this process, he only needs to collect the egg.

What is an incubator and what is it used for?

Incubators (from lat egg hatching) – equipment that allows you to fully ensure the replacement of chickens while hatching eggs. The technological process of such an apparatus is based on uniform heating of the placed product. The uniformity of heating, as well as air humidity are the main component of the maturation of eggs and their hatching. This is what determines the main types of equipment that are available on the modern agricultural market.Incubation can be accomplished using manual, mechanical and automatic devices.

A manual incubator requires regular human intervention in the process. Eggs placed in the tray of the apparatus must be turned over every 4 hours with their own hands. To use such equipment for large farms is unprofitable and energy-intensive. A mechanical device works on the same principle, but a separate mechanism, which is controlled by the breeder, is engaged in the product revolution. That is, several times a day, a person should spend only a few seconds to turn the eggs by pressing a special button or lever. But the most effective and popular is the equipment with the automatic turn of eggs.

The machine excludes the participation of the farmer. Each placed egg undergoes uniform heating, and a special system is engaged in its overturn, even the last chicken will be heated upon hatching. In addition, some manufacturers of such equipment produce their products not only for chicken, but also for duck and quail eggs. Such devices appeared recently and immediately earned positive feedback from users. Everyone can choose a model convenient for themselves, because they can have different capacities. A device with a tray for 50-100 eggs can provide a domestic poultry house , and an apparatus for 500 or more eggs will serve industrial holdings.

How material is transported in incubators

Each poultry breeder knows that during the hatching of eggs, hens move their own beak so that all embryos get proper temperature comfort. It is difficult for a person to deal with a coup of incubation material, because one such operation can take up to 15 minutes. And if hens are actively carried, there will be a lot of eggs. It’s very difficult to do this with your own efforts. In addition, having spent a little money, you can purchase automatic incubators.

The necessary human comfort, the lack of the need for the constant presence of a farmer throughout the days of incubation is a merit of the operation of such equipment. The machine itself provides movement in three different ways:

  1. Rolling. Occurs due to the movement of a special grill.
  2. Rotation. Incubation occurs with a systematic change in the position of the lattices, which are driven by special rollers.
  3. Tilt. The principle of operation of such a mechanism is associated with a change in the position of the tray with the material, for the appearance of an angle of 45 ° C.

The incubator can have both small dimensions and light weight. The price for such devices is determined by various factors, depending on the popularity of the manufacturer, the presence of a temperature controller and certain characteristics of the device. In addition, the devices can be equipped with analog or digital control, which provides even greater comfort.

Those who care about saving energy can also use 12V-powered equipment. Such devices have a battery that allows you to accumulate the necessary energy for functioning in case of problems with the power supply. In addition, the set air temperature will be maintained for a long time, even if the heating element is turned off. The materials from which the incubator chambers are made have good heat saving indicators.

Popular domestic incubator

Among the many models of domestic production incubators, no more than 10 devices deserve special popularity. Among them is the Blitz 48 incubator. Such an apparatus has an automatic egg flipping with a frequency of 2 hours. He performs up to 12 coups per day. It has 1 grid containing the material of different birds. You can put chicken eggs in it (up to 48 pieces), and the quail and goose share occupy the remaining cells of the tray. There are 130 of them in the apparatus. Chickens bred in such an incubator are born strong and healthy, and this is what such equipment is intended for.

Users of the products of this brand highlight the following advantages:

  • low temperature error (up to 0.1 degrees);
  • versatility (you can change trays yourself) ;
  • convenience and simplicity (use according to the instructions is suitable even for beginners);
  • built-in ventilation system that prevents overheating of the material;
  • water necessary for the operation of the device is poured through a special tube located on the outside of the device case (with this design, the microclimate in the incubation chamber is not disturbed torus).

The same manufacturer has published and other equally popular models for up to 72 chicks. No less popular is the home type of device made of plywood and polystyrene. Such equipment has a digital thermostat and a transparent viewing window so that a person can check the operation status of the apparatus

According to the users of such equipment, domestic products cannot be called ideal. Among the shortcomings, a narrow ventilation tube stands out, through which it is necessary to fill in water. Equally important is the loading of the tray material itself. Before you place an egg in it, the part must be removed from the structure, and when filling the tray, difficulties arise with its installation in the incubator chamber. Everyone can learn more about all the advantages and disadvantages by watching a video that shows a detailed overview of such equipment.

Devices “Layer”

This domestic manufacturer is popular for its models BI 1 and BI 2. Domestic incubator Layer can have an analog and digital temperature controller which is convenient for anyone to use. Complete with the device itself is a user manual, as well as removable trays. The rest of the equipment is sold separately. The most important missing item to buy is the battery pack, which can function up to 20 hours without interruption.

The BI Layer 1 incubator has a simple adjustment panel and a tray for 36 eggs. The 2nd generation of products from this brand has more functional characteristics. The devices “Lay” are in great demand due to the available advantages, which are:

  • affordable price;
  • egg cells with different sizes;
  • good heat saving (in the absence of a battery it is able to maintain the temperature in the chamber for up to 5 hours);
  • the presence of a viewing window.

Layer devices are also popular because of their light weight . This question is often of interest to farmers interested in such devices. About how much such a device weighs, you should find out in the declared technical specifications (in the instructions). Depending on the model and its configuration, there are devices with a weight of 2 to 6 kg.

After purchasing devices from this brand, it may be difficult to use it.This is especially true for heating the incubation material. The egg warms up unevenly. In addition, poor-quality assembly of the manufacturer’s factory itself forces users to undertake the improvement and repair of such devices. As farmers say, such an apparatus, despite its shortcomings, performs its functions qualitatively. Chickens are born healthy and strong.

Everyone who wants to learn about all the nuances in use can watch VIDEO.

Other popular models

Among domestic and foreign models of incubators, there are also other functional devices that are in great demand in the market for such products. The most popular are:

  • “Cinderella”. It works from the electric network, as well as from the supply of hot water. Chickens have good survival, thanks to such a power supply system of the device.
  • “Ideal brood hen”. Manufacturer – Russia. Holds from 35 to 104 eggs. A simple device to use and repair.
  • “Kvochka” (MI-30). It is used for eggs of various poultry. Refers to budget models.
  • IBM 30 EA. (“Leleka”). Suitable for broiler eggs and other poultry. Holds 42 eggs.

Each of these models has its own description of characteristics that will be of interest to the consumer. Household incubation is carried out in any room where there is power supply.The main thing is to use the device for certain microclimatic indicators, which increases the efficiency of their operation, as well as the durability of the equipment itself.

Many farmers advise choosing incubator models that have batteries or alternative sources of heating for the device’s chamber. Their use will allow you to safely control the incubation process, without much dependence on a specific energy source.

What to look for when buying an automatic incubator

Having decided to install an incubator in your own farm, you need to figure out which device will effectively cope with its task. Some features of popular devices will not bring any benefits to the farmer. The main task is to choose the most suitable device with a good price-quality ratio, so you should pay attention to:

  • Device capacity. The incubator should contain the average number of eggs that the breeder receives per week.
  • The ability to replace the trays and independently change their position.
  • A simple and understandable control panel for people.
  • Easy to repair and operate (cleaning the incubator and replacing its individual parts).
  • Possibility of use for other materials (quail eggs, ducks and other poultry kept on the farm).

Chickens matured under artificial conditions have a high level of survival, because automatic incubators are not inferior in quality to live hens. In addition, the most common models of incubators have the following advantages:

  • automatic temperature control;
  • the presence of lighting;
  • ventilation of the chamber with the material;
  • auto-flipping material.

You can learn how to use the incubator in a few minutes.

The person who has studied the instructions for use has problems with the operation of devices usually does not occur. The main thing is to correctly place the egg in the loading hole and set the desired mode. But some reviews from users of such devices carry negative information related to the shortcomings of certain devices.

Automatic incubators work effectively only in a certain temperature range.

If the room will be cold, the thermostat will not be accurate. In addition, the use of the device is allowed only when the trays are as full as possible. And if they are enclosed in a foam casing, regular disinfection should also be carried out. The farmer who is considering the purchase of household equipment should pay attention to such facts, because often people encounter them already in operation.

If you make an incubator yourself

Incubation can be carried out in home-made devices. Some farmers prefer to make the incubator themselves, taking care of their own convenience in advance. It is enough to have drawings and the necessary materials to begin the installation of the future egg-holding site. The main unit of such a structure is electronics. To make such equipment you will need:

  • electronics (circuit, temperature control relays, special sensors, as well as a heater);
  • old refrigerator;
  • egg trays .

Such components of the incubator will be expensive, but the device will not work without them.

Before placing the egg in a makeshift tray, it should be illuminated. Incubation in such equipment does not guarantee the success of the process itself, therefore, before using it, you should test it. It is necessary to assemble such a device strictly according to the existing instructions.

The service life of such devices is difficult to determine. Everything will depend on the quality of all parts and their correct application. In addition, only people with experience in this field can start assembling the device. Beginners may not be able to do such a thing.

You can bookmark this page

Anna Evans

Author ✓ Farmer

View all posts by Anna Evans →