Choosing an Incubator

Beginner’s Guide to Choosing a Chicken Egg Incubator

If you're just getting started with hatching your own chickens, choosing the right incubator is one of the most important steps. This simple guide walks you through what to look for and why it matters — with trusted brand recommendations like Brinsea and Rcom, both known for quality and ease of use.

✅ Step 1: Decide How Many Eggs You Want to Hatch

Start by asking:

  • How many chickens do you want to hatch at once?

Incubators come in various sizes:

  • Small (7–20 eggs) – Ideal for beginners or backyard hobbyists.
  • Medium (20–50 eggs) – Good if you're raising a small flock.
  • Large (50+ eggs) – Best for more serious breeders.

🟨 Tip: If you're just starting out, a small incubator is easier to manage and less costly.

✅ Step 2: Choose Automatic vs. Manual Turning

Chickens eggs must be turned several times a day to develop properly.

  • Manual Turning – You turn each egg by hand 3–5 times daily.
  • Automatic Turning – The incubator does it for you, reducing effort and the chance of mistakes.

✅ Recommended: Choose automatic turning for ease and consistency.

✅ Step 3: Look for Digital Temperature Control

Chickens need a stable temperature of 37.5°C to hatch successfully.

  • Manual control is cheaper but can be tricky to manage.
  • Digital thermostats automatically maintain the correct temperature.

✅ Recommended: A digital temperature control is more beginner-friendly and accurate.

✅ Step 4: Humidity Control Matters

Humidity affects how chicks develop and hatch. Chicken eggs need about:

  • 30–50% humidity during incubation

Some incubators:

  • Have manual water trays you fill yourself.
  • Offer automatic humidity control, which adjusts humidity for you.

✅ Recommended: Start with manual control to learn the process, or go with automatic humidity control if you want the easiest experience (especially in dry or humid climates).

✅ Step 5: Choose a Trusted Brand

Two brands we recommend — and use ourselves — are:

🐥 Brinsea

  • Made in the UK, known for high quality and durability.
  • Great models: Brinsea Mini II Advance, Brinsea Ovation 28 EX
  • Pros: Reliable, easy to clean, well-supported.

🐥 Rcom

  • Sleek design, user-friendly controls.
  • Great models: Rcom 10, Rcom 20 Pro
  • Pros: Fully automatic, quiet, accurate.

✅ You can’t go wrong with either — choose based on your budget and how hands-on you want to be.

✅ Step 6: Extra Features to Consider

  • Clear viewing window – lets you watch the chicks develop and hatch.
  • Alarm systems – alert you to temperature or humidity issues.
  • Easy cleaning – makes maintenance simple between hatches.

👍 Final Tip

Start small, keep it simple, and focus on learning the process. A quality incubator like the Brinsea Mini II Advance or Rcom 20 Pro will set you up for success and make your first chicken hatch a fun, rewarding experience!