The choice of an Incubator

You do not have yet an incubator and would like to buy one. What do you need to think to?

• Eggs number
• Eggs size
• The incubated species
• Equipment
• Climate

    Eggs number

Do you plan to incubate for 2 or 3 eggs for fun or a few dozen to a small family farm or downright thousands like professionals?

Do not underestimate the number too: passion and needs help, you might do well to incubate more every year.

Nevertheless, it is preferable not to incubate eggs of different species together in a large incubator. 'd Rather several smaller incubators because each species has different needs in temperature, humidity, cooling, incubation time, ... different.

You will also need to consider the equipment of the incubator according to the number of eggs. For example, you probably can not incubate 10 000 eggs without considering the acquisition of a system of automatic egg turning.

One last tip: Aim for a number of eggs according to your opportunities for housing animals thereafter. Think you'll need to accommodate different animal species and different ages, because their food will vary according to these criteria. Additional enclosures will also be expected following the use of animals such as broiler, breeder or hens as the food will also be different.

    Eggs size

Between a quail egg and an ostrich egg, there is a notorious difference. If you plan to incubate the eggs of another species than the chicken, make sure that the incubator will accept a different caliber, whether larger or smaller.

This happens often with plug trays or grids of different sizes. Some incubators are equipped with tabs placed at the desired spacing.

    The incubated species

Some species of birds have very specific needs during the incubation: temperature, humidity, ventilation. Others are very fragile and very sensitive. Still others are very rare (read: very expensive): an incubator of high quality is preferred.

The eggs of chickens and quails are easy to incubate.

The eggs of waterfowl need high humidity: static incubators tend to give better results than a cheap ventilated incubator.

The eggs of certain game can not tolerate a breakdown at the time of the outbreak. It is recommended to choose a static incubator or a spacious ventilated incubator where you can have a small partition between the fan and eggs.

The eggs of parrots are very sensitive: choose an incubator with a thermostat and a humidity setting ultra-precise.

    Equipment

The equipment of the incubator will always be a balance between your budget and needs according to different incubated species.

With or without hygrometer, mercury or electronic thermometer, with or without automatic reversal. Beyond the available budget, it is also a question of quality workmanship that insure or not successful incubation.

    Climate

Ventilated incubators have a tendency to overheat in hot countries. Prefer a static incubator in this case.