Last Updated on October 11, 2024 by Alice Benny
The chicken or the egg, which came first? Well, both answers seem to be off the mark, because it all starts with an incubator!
Yes, the importance of this heated environment in the hatching process should never be underestimated. Modern-day incubators come in all shapes and sizes, and the abundance of options can be overwhelming at times.
For that reason, we listed the best chicken egg incubators on the current market, together with a comprehensive buyer’s guide. This is a one-time purchase that will help in incubating chicken eggs for years.
Best Chicken Egg Incubators Reviews
So, let’s dive deeper into the warm world of chicken eggs.
VIVOHOME Mini Digital Egg Incubator
To kick off our list of the top-rated best chicken egg incubators, we decided to start with a small model. As the word “mini” suggests, the VIVOHOME Digital Egg Incubator is a compact and lightweight life-giving gadget.
As such, this device is an excellent choice for science teachers or parents who want their kids to learn about the egg hatching process.
It’s also ideal for hatching eggs from breeds who don’t go broody, like the Golden Comet chicken.
Nurturing and taking care of the chicks is a great way for children to develop responsibility and love for animals, after all. So, let’s see how this tiny incubator behaves in action.
The VIVOHOME Mini Incubator is suitable for any species, which means that you can incubate the eggs from ducks, pigeons, or quails.
Depending on the size of the eggs, you will be able to place from nine to 12 eggs in the incubator.
Adjustable dividers can also help with positioning and placement of the eggs. Nonetheless, the essential component of this model is the LED display, which provides real-time data.
By using the commands on the control panel, users can adjust the temperature inside the incubator. When it comes to temperature, VIVOHOME Mini Digital Incubator offers a decent range. Even so, it’s best to keep the temperature around 38 degrees Celsius.
In order to provide eggs with even heat, this incubator will automatically rotate the eggs at regular intervals. Automatic egg turning is a valuable feature, and few incubators in this budget range can offer this possibility.
Another notable characteristic of this model is the ease of assembly. The components of the incubator are also sturdy and easy to clean, which makes this unit a convenient option for small commercial farmers.
VIVOHOME Mini Digital Egg Incubator Pros and Cons
The VIVOHOME Mini Digital Incubator is affordable and budget-friendly. As such, this model does not come with a bunch of high-end features.
Nevertheless, this incubator is attractive and eye-catching. For instance, the bright LED display is a noteworthy addition. Likewise, automatic egg turning is a feature that removes the need for constant involvement in the hatching process.
- Affordable
- Lightweight
- Automatic egg turning
- LED display
- No humidity sensor
- Occasional temperature spikes
- Small capacity
On the other hand, the VIVOHOME Mini Digital Incubator is far from being a perfect chicken egg incubator. For example, you have to open the lid to add water, which is an annoying element.
Also, this model does not include a humidity gauge. You will either have to buy a separate one or rely on experience. We also noticed that the inside temperature fluctuates without any apparent reason.
So, consider buying a third-party thermostat if the pre-set one starts giving you a headache.
KEMANNER Seven-Egg Digital Incubator
This model is also a compact and portable digital incubator. With the ability to hatch seven chicken eggs, the KEMANNER Digital Incubator is a typical household unit.
However, this is only one of the available variations of this incubator. You can also buy larger KEMANNER models, which can incubate 48 or even 56 eggs.
If you need an incubator for educational purposes, or if you are an aspiring farmer, the seven-egg model from KEMANNER will do the job.
The distinguishing feature of this incubator is the dome-shaped transparent cover on the top, which provides users with 360-view, allowing you to keep an eye on the hatching process from all sides.
Likewise, the size of this chicken egg incubator will probably catch your attention. The exact dimensions of this device are 6.8 by 6.2 inches, and it weighs only 1.25 pounds.
As a result, users can move the incubator around without any problems.
The KEMANNER Seven-Egg Digital Incubator has a small footprint, which means that you can easily place it in the corner of your kitchen counter.
When it comes to functionality, it is necessary to say that this incubator comes with digital temperature controls. Also, it uses 20W of power, which is fantastic if you are energy-conscious.
KEMANNER Digital Incubator Pros and Cons
The simplistic design of this incubator is one of its most significant features. In essence, the convenience and usability of this model are at a high level; even small children could operate this incubator, as well.
Of course, the fan-assisted airflow is a nice touch, too.
However, the effortless viewing of the eggs is the primary reason why the KEMANNER Seven-Egg Digital Incubator earns top marks for convenience.
- Portable and compact
- Clear viewing window
- Fan-assisted airflow
- Energy-efficient
- Capacity
- No automatic turning
- Annoying alarm sound
The lack of automatic rotation is a considerable downside of this model. This means that you will have to turn the eggs manually, which is a time-consuming activity.
Also, many users complain that the KEMANNER Digital Incubator produces an irritating beeping noise every time the humidity drops below the recommended limit. Unfortunately, these fluctuations seem to be a frequent occurrence.
Magicfly Digital Egg Incubator
If you need a decent-sized egg incubator, the next model we’ll feature might be your cup of tea. The Magicfly Digital Egg Incubator is a reliable device that can incubate up to 24 chicken eggs at once.
Even though it features a minimalist design, this incubator is easy to recognize. So, let’s take an in-depth look into the notable characteristics of the Magicfly Digital Egg Incubator.
With the help of this spacious model, you can start incubating chickens, geese, or ducks. An LED display will allow you to control the temperature; plus, an inconspicuous egg turner will rotate the eggs automatically.
When it comes to temperature, this hatcher offers an impressive range; you can set the temperature anywhere from 30 to 40 degrees Celsius.
All the while, the automatic turner will rotate the eggs. If anything goes wrong, an alarm sound will inform the users of a potential problem. After all, chicken eggs are delicate when it comes to heat/cold and humidity.
Also, the sides of this digital incubator are transparent; thus, you can easily monitor the situation without opening the lid or disrupting the hatching process.
The body of the Magicfly Digital Egg Incubator is made of durable but healthy plastic. Users can clean the containers with ease, and the assembly of this incubator is straightforward, as well.
Magicfly Digital Incubator Pros and Cons
As you can see, the Magicfly Digital Egg Incubator offers excellent value for money. It comes equipped with automatic temperature control as well as auto-rotation of the eggs.
The capacity of this model is suitable for all purposes, too. The Magicfly Digital Egg Incubator lets you hatch up to 24 chicken eggs simultaneously.
Therefore, this model seems like a perfect choice for poultry farmers.
- Automatic egg turner
- Automatic temperature control
- Egg capacity
- Side-windows for excellent visibility
- Pricey
- No humidity sensor
- Bulky
When it comes to downsides, the Magicfly Incubator does not have many. The lack of a humidity gauge is the most noticeable drawback of this model.
Humidity is a vital factor in the hatching process. Also, the price of this model may deter some people. Nonetheless, you get what you pay for, as the old proverb says.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4j0AtW3msDY
OppsDecor Intelligent Egg Incubator
In case you need a premium-quality egg incubator, look no further than the fantastic OppsDecor model. This high-end model will allow you to hatch as many as 48 chicken eggs.
Yet, when it comes to what the OppsDecor Intelligent Egg Incubator can offer, this is just the tip of the iceberg. A wide range of features makes this device a perfect fit for commercial use.
At the same time, intuitive controls will allow beginners to get the grasp of the hatching process, as well.
First of all, the capacity of this unit deserves a lot of praise. A few household incubators can hold 48 chicken eggs at once, and that is why poultry farmers should consider splashing the cash on this model.
What’s more, the OppsDecor Egg Incubator comes with automatic temperature control as well as a fully automatic egg turning system.
The incubator will rotate the eggs every two hours, removing the need for human intervention. Another convenience of this model is the visible in the design of the LED control panel.
The display will provide users with a bunch of useful and relevant information. For instance, you will be able to check the temperature, humidity level, hatching days, and so on.
A polycarbonate lid covers the top of the OppsDecor Intelligent Egg Incubator, and the sides of the unit are translucent, which allows users to keep an eye on the eggs at all times.
Also, the OppsDecor incubator comes equipped with a built-in fan and a warning system. This ensures that the ventilation will disperse the heat evenly throughout the hatching area.
If the humidity drops below the recommended level, the alarm bells will go off and warn you about the danger. To avoid these issues, add water through the small hole every two or three days.
OppsDecor Egg Incubator Pros and Cons
The OppsDecor Intelligent Egg Incubator is a fantastic device, and there are many positive aspects to this model.
To name a few, we could mention the automatic temperature control or the auto egg rotation. Also, the quiet fan is a neat little trick that will distribute the heat and warm all the eggs during the incubation.
The capacity of the OppsDecor Intelligent Egg Incubator is both a blessing and a curse.
- Large capacity
- Automatic temperature control
- Informational LED display
- Built-in fan
- Expensive
- Hefty (10.3 pounds)
The weight of this unit exceeds 10 pounds, which could be problematic for some users.
Also, the alarm system may be frustrating at times.
Then again, the warning system is the necessary evil, so all you can do is try to be patient for the duration of the incubation process.
TAIMIKO Automatic Egg Incubator
Last, we review the features of the TAIMIKO Automatic Egg Incubator. The design of this model is sleek and modern, but there is more than meets the eye with TAIMIKO.
For instance, this portable egg incubator will let you hatch 10 chicken eggs with a high success rate.
A range of features makes the TAIMIKO one of the best on the market, so let’s take a closer look at the elements that make this model so attractive and appealing.
As the name implies, the TAIMIKO Automatic Egg Incubator offers automatic temperature control. In other words, the computer does all the work related to thermal management; all you need to do is place the eggs inside and close the lid.
When it comes to the cover, the round shape of this incubator allows perfect visibility from all sides.
On top of that, the TAIMIKO Automatic Egg Incubator comes equipped with an automatic egg turner. Every two hours, this system will rotate the eggs, increasing the chances of successful hatching.
To disperse the heat all over the incubation area, this model uses a big fan, but even so, the fan does not produce a lot of noise. As such, you can keep this chicken egg incubator indoors without any problems.
The convenient LED display on the front of the unit will let you control every aspect of the incubation process.
TAIMIKO Automatic Egg Incubator Pros and Cons
Without a doubt, the stylish aesthetic is the best asset of this incubator, but its functionality is at a high level, as well. Automatic temperature control is a noteworthy feature, and the same applies to the ventilation system.
Of course, the automatic egg rotation provides a hassle-free hatching process and is a nice feature, too.
- Sleek design
- Low noise
- High hatching rate
- Intuitive thermal management
- Auto egg turner
- No humidity sensor
- Small water container
- No warning system
The capacity of the TAIMIKO incubator might be too small for some farmers. At the same time, the price of this unit is on the higher end of the spectrum.
The lack of a humidity gauge may cause inconvenience to some users, too. If anything, you will have to consider buying an extra humidity sensor to keep the eggs in perfect condition.
Best Chicken Egg Incubator Buyer’s Guide
As you can see, chicken egg incubators can offer a wide array of features. For that reason, it can be tricky to choose the appropriate model.
To avoid those costly mistakes, we decided to share with you the essential elements of an egg incubator.
By going through this buyer’s guide, you will learn all there is to know about buying an incubator for your needs, situation, and preferences. You should be able to make an informed decision and buy the best egg incubator available.
Humidity and Temperature
When it comes to the hatching process, humidity and temperature are the two crucial factors. As such, they demand special attention.
The recommended temperature for chicken eggs is around 38 degrees Celsius.
On the other hand, humidity depends on the duration of the hatching process. As a rule of thumb, the best results come from keeping the moisture at 65% to 70%.
Your best bet is to buy a chicken egg incubator that features automatic temperature control. Likewise, we recommend buying a device that comes equipped with humidity pumps.
Of course, high-end incubators also come with fancy bells and whistles, such as warning lights and alarm sounds.
Viewing Window
If your idea of the fun-filled evening includes staring at a bunch of chicken eggs, you’re in for a treat. By choosing the best egg incubators, you will surely get the opportunity to observe the incubation process.
There is a reason why farmers like to have a viewing window installed on the incubator. First of all, transparent covers are convenient because you don’t have to open the lid to check on the eggs.
The second reason is the miracle of birth, and a viewing window gives you front row seats to this awe-inspiring moment.
Be sure to buy a model with a window. Your household and especially kids will thank you for it!
Chicken Egg Incubators Capacity
The purpose of the incubator has a direct impact on the size of the unit. This means that a school teacher will need a smaller device than a poultry farmer.
In translation, the capacity is another word for the number of eggs that the incubator can handle simultaneously. At the moment, the best egg incubators offer a range of options when it comes to capacity.
To be precise, you can buy models that hold only a handful of eggs or go for pro incubators that can hatch hundreds or even thousands of chicken eggs.
Egg Turner
In nature, hens will move around and rotate the eggs every once in a while. For that reason, it is necessary to turn the eggs in an incubator every two or three hours.
Obviously, this can be a time-consuming and tedious process. For that reason, we recommend going for a model that features an automatic egg turner.
Manual turning requires more involvement in the hatching process. With automatic rotation, the system will turn the eggs on its own, without your interference. On some models, you can even set the schedule for the rotation.
Size
The size of the incubator is in close relation to the capacity. Even so, both of these factors depend on the purpose of the hatcher in the first place.
When it comes to size, the goal is to have a portable and lightweight incubator. The bigger the unit, the harder it will be to move around.
Likewise, you should always consider storage space. If you are living in a small apartment, a massive incubator will take up a lot of space.
Therefore, look for a compact and lightweight unit. By doing so, the hatching process will turn into an enjoyable and fun activity.
You should also consider versatility. You should be able to use the chicken incubator if you are raising quail to hatch quail eggs.
Ease of Assembly and Cleaning
Speaking of fun, ease of use will also contribute to the overall enjoyment levels. In other words, pay attention to the quality of materials when buying a new chicken egg incubator.
As a rule of thumb, a well-designed device will be easy to assemble. At the same time, such incubators are easy to clean and remain in good shape. Moreover, you will find premium incubators that are dishwasher-friendly, so pay attention to this element, as well.
Chicken Egg Incubators FAQs
How do you use an egg incubator?
The concept of a chicken egg incubator is pretty straightforward. Just place the eggs inside, raise the temperature and humidity to the recommended level, and watch the magic unfold.
In other words, the chicken egg incubators will replicate the heat provided by the hens. The best ones also come with extra features that can improve the hatching success rate.
Will eggs still hatch if they get cold?
One of the essential factors during the hatching process is temperature; you must keep the eggs in a warm and humid environment at all times.
If the eggs get too cold, the embryonic development could be disrupted. In translation, the chicken will not develop, and you can discard the damaged egg.
What temperature will kill chicken eggs?
The recommended temperature for the hatching process is 38 degrees Celsius. Of course, small fluctuations are acceptable, as long as the temperature spikes are not drastic.
However, any temperature below 27 degrees Celsius will kill the eggs. Also, if the temperature rises above 41 degrees, the embryo will not develop.
How do you incubate chicken eggs?
When it comes to the hatching process, chicken eggs spend 21 days in the incubation chamber. Nonetheless, humidity and temperature can affect the operation and change the duration of the process.
Either way, you should place clean and healthy-looking eggs into the incubator. Make sure to add water into the reservoir to provide moisture to the eggs.
What happens if humidity is too high in an incubator?
The humidity is crucial in the incubation process. The appropriate humidity levels will depend on the stage of embryonic development. If the embryo is older, it will be more tolerant of spikes in humidity.
Nonetheless, the primary side-effect of extreme moisture is a late hatch.
How Long Do Fresh Eggs Last: Food Safety 101
Our Recommendation of the Best Chicken Egg Incubators
The quality of your chicken egg incubator is of the highest importance, and you should make sure to buy the appropriate device. We think that the OppsDecor Intelligent Egg Incubator is the best chicken egg incubators on the market. Impressive capacity and stylish design are just some of the characteristics of this chicken egg incubator. From everything we’ve seen, this model offers the best value for money, too.
In order to hatch chicks, chickens need a rooster to lay fertile eggs.