Top 20 Best Commercial Incubators for Chicken Eggs

Looking for commercial Incubators for Chicken Eggs? If you’re a poultry farmer, you know that a successful hatch starts with the right incubation conditions. While many people may rely on natural incubation methods, commercial incubators for chicken eggs offer a more efficient and reliable way to hatch a large number of eggs at once. In this post, we’ll look into everything you need to know about commercial incubators for chicken eggs, from their features and benefits to optimal incubation settings and DIY options in case you’re low on budget.

What are Commercial Incubators for Chicken Eggs?

Commercial incubators for chicken eggs are devices designed to replicate the natural incubation process in a controlled environment. These incubators come in different sizes and models, from small tabletop incubators to large-scale cabinet incubators capable of hatching thousands of eggs at once. Commercial incubators typically feature automated temperature and humidity controls, as well as ventilation systems and egg turning mechanisms.

Best commercial egg incubators (small capacity)

1. Brinsea Ovation 56 EX Incubator: This is a high-quality incubator that offers automatic turning and digital temperature control. It has a capacity of up to 56 chicken eggs and is suitable for a variety of egg types.

2. GQF Manufacturing 1602N Hova-Bator Incubator: This is a reliable and affordable option that can incubate up to 50 chicken eggs. It has a digital thermostat for temperature control and an automatic egg turner.

3. Rcom MX20 Egg Incubator: This incubator has a capacity of up to 20 eggs and offers automatic turning, humidity control, and temperature control. It also has an LED display for easy monitoring.

4. Janoel Model 12 Incubator: This is a budget-friendly option that can incubate up to 12 chicken eggs. It has automatic turning, temperature control, and an LED display for monitoring.

5. Brinsea Mini II Advance Automatic 7 Egg Incubator: This is a compact and user-friendly option that can incubate up to 7 chicken eggs. It offers automatic turning, digital temperature control, and an alarm for temperature and humidity fluctuations.

6. HovaBator Advanced Egg Incubator Combo Kit: This is a great all-in-one kit that comes with an incubator, egg turner, hygrometer, and thermometer. It can hold up to 42 chicken eggs and has a digital thermostat for precise temperature control.

7. Lyon Electric Incubator: This is a larger capacity option that can hold up to 96 chicken eggs. It has an automatic egg turner and digital temperature and humidity controls for easy operation.

8. Magicfly Digital Mini Fully Automatic Egg Incubator: This is a compact option that can hold up to 12 chicken eggs. It offers automatic turning and temperature control, as well as an LED display for easy monitoring.

9. Farm Innovators Model 4250 Digital Circulated Air Incubator: This is a high-capacity incubator that can hold up to 41 eggs. It has a digital thermostat, automatic egg turner, and a fan to circulate air for even heating.

10. Rite Farm Products Pro Digital Incubator: This is a versatile option that can incubate up to 440 quail eggs or 125 chicken eggs. It has automatic turning, temperature and humidity control, and a digital display for easy monitoring.

Large capacity egg incubator

1. Lyon Electric Incubator: This is a high-capacity incubator that can hold up to 96 chicken eggs. It has an automatic egg turner and digital temperature and humidity controls for easy operation.

2. Rite Farm Products Pro Digital Incubator: This is a versatile option that can incubate up to 440 quail eggs or 125 chicken eggs. It has automatic turning, temperature and humidity control, and a digital display for easy monitoring.

3. GQF Sportsman Cabinet Incubator: This is a commercial-grade incubator that can hold up to 270 chicken eggs or 1,350 quail eggs. It has digital temperature and humidity controls, automatic turning, and a fan for even heating.

4. Brinsea OvaEasy 580 Advance Series II Cabinet Incubator: This is a high-capacity incubator that can hold up to 576 chicken eggs. It has advanced features like automatic turning, humidity control, and temperature alarms, as well as a user-friendly interface.

5. Magicfly Digital Mini Fully Automatic Egg Incubator: This is a compact option that can hold up to 56 chicken eggs or 96 quail eggs. It offers automatic turning and temperature control, as well as an LED display for easy monitoring.

6. GQF Sportsman 1502 Digital Cabinet Incubator: This is a top-of-the-line incubator that can hold up to 1368 chicken eggs or 2400 quail eggs. It has a digital thermostat for precise temperature control, automatic turning, and a fan for even heating. This model is designed for commercial use and offers excellent hatch rates.

7. Brower Top Hatch Incubator: This is a large-capacity incubator that can hold up to 240 chicken eggs or 580 quail eggs. It has automatic turning, digital temperature and humidity controls, and a fan for even heating. The Top Hatch feature allows you to easily remove newly hatched chicks without disrupting the remaining eggs.

8. Rcom 20 MAX Automatic Digital Egg Incubator: This is a large-capacity incubator that can hold up to 20 chicken eggs or 52 quail eggs. It offers advanced features like automatic turning, humidity control, and temperature alarms, as well as a user-friendly interface. The clear lid allows you to monitor the hatching process without opening the incubator.

9. Brinsea OvaEasy 1000 Advance Series II Cabinet Incubator: This is a high-capacity incubator that can hold up to 1,036 chicken eggs. It offers advanced features like automatic turning, humidity control, and temperature alarms, as well as a user-friendly interface. This model is designed for commercial use and offers excellent hatch rates.

10. Lyon Electric Super Hatch Incubator: This is a high-capacity incubator that can hold up to 252 chicken eggs or 504 quail eggs. It has digital temperature and humidity controls, automatic turning, and a fan for even heating. The Super Hatch feature allows you to easily remove newly hatched chicks without disrupting the remaining eggs.

The Benefits of Using Commercial Incubators for Chicken Eggs

Using commercial incubators for chicken eggs offers several benefits over natural incubation or DIY incubation methods.

1. Commercial incubators ensure more precise control over incubation conditions, ensuring optimal temperature, humidity, and ventilation levels for the eggs.
2. They can handle a larger number of eggs at once, making them ideal for commercial poultry operations.
3. They improve hatch rates and reduce the risk of hatchling abnormalities, leading to healthier and stronger chicks.

Incubator Settings for Chicken Eggs

The success of commercial incubation depends on several factors, including temperature, humidity, ventilation, and egg turning. For chicken eggs, the optimal incubation temperature is around 99-101°F, with a relative humidity of 50-55% for the first 18 days and 65-75% during the last few days before hatching. Ventilation is also critical to prevent the buildup of carbon dioxide and ensure fresh air supply for the developing embryos. Egg turning is necessary to prevent the embryos from sticking to the inner membrane and to promote even heat distribution.

How Does an Incubator Work for Chicken Eggs?

Commercial incubators for chicken eggs rely on advanced technology to replicate the natural incubation process. They use a combination of sensors, heating elements, fans, and thermostats to regulate temperature, humidity, and ventilation. The incubation process typically lasts for 21 days, during which the embryos develop from a single cell to a fully formed chick. The incubator must maintain a stable environment throughout this period to ensure a successful hatch.

How to Set Up an Incubator for Chicken Eggs

Setting up commercial incubators for chicken eggs requires following a few simple steps:

1. Choose a clean and dry location for the incubator, away from direct sunlight or drafts.
2. Assemble the incubator according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
3. Add water to the humidity tray and fill the egg trays with eggs.
4. Turn on the incubator and set the temperature, humidity, and ventilation controls according to the recommended settings.
5. Monitor the incubator regularly and make any necessary adjustments.

How to Put Eggs in the Incubator

Proper handling and placement of the eggs in the incubator is crucial to their development. Here’s how to put eggs in the incubator:

1. Collect fresh, clean, fertile eggs and store them in a cool and dry place for no more than seven days before incubation. If it goes more than seven days, you need to perform SPIDES.
2. Place the eggs in the egg trays with the pointed end down and the blunt end up.
3. Adjust the egg trays to ensure optimal egg-to-air contact (an angle of 40°) and turning.
4. Turn the eggs at least three times a day during the incubation period, either manually or using an automated egg turner.

How to Make a Simple Incubator for Chicken Eggs

If you’re looking for a DIY option, you can make a simple incubator for chicken eggs using household items. Here’s how to do it:

1. Get a styrofoam cooler and cut a hole in the top.
2. Insert a small desk fan into the hole and secure it with duct tape.
3. Place a tray of water at the bottom of the cooler to create humidity.
4. Add a small thermometer and hygrometer to monitor temperature and humidity.
5. Place a small light bulb inside the cooler and connect it to a thermostat to regulate temperature.
6. Fill the egg tray with eggs and place it on top of the tray of water.
7. Monitor the temperature, humidity, and egg turning manually.

Conclusion

Commercial incubators for chicken eggs offer a reliable and efficient way to hatch a large number of eggs at once. They offer precise control over incubation conditions, handle a larger number of eggs, and improve hatch rates and hatchling health. By following the recommended settings and procedures, you can ensure a successful hatch and healthy chicks. If you’re looking for a DIY option, you can also make a simple incubator using household items.

Samuel Ansah

Sam is a blogger and an entrepreneur.  More about Bio