Finding the best egg incubators for hatching chickens at home can be a daunting task. There are so many on the market with varying features and price points making it completely overwhelming.

While shopping for the best incubator for myself recently, I narrowed it down to a list of 18 contenders with the qualities I needed for hatching eggs on the homestead. Let’s take a closer look.

The Best Incubators For Hatching Chickens

The best incubators for hatching chickens at home are the Nurture Right by Harris Farms and the Brinsea Maxi 24 Advance. These two ranked at the top of the list of customer reviews due to their convenience, quality, hatching rates, and price point.

However, while these were the most popular on chicken forums and in chicken-keeping Facebook groups, there are a lot of other incubators available with great features and varying price points.

Why Incubate Eggs At Home?

Incubating your eggs has several advantages over buying chickens from a hatchery. It’s a personal choice, but one that can be very rewarding.

Incubating eggs at home is a great learning experience for children. The process of watching the embryo grow into baby chicks is amazing. It’s a great picture of the miracle of life. It also teaches children to respect nature and appreciate all living things. If you don’t have children at home, I find incubating to be just as fascinating as an adult.

Incubating your own chicks is very cost-effective if you have a rooster. Buying chicks from a hatchery can be very expensive. Many chicks are $3 and up per chick. You’ll have some upfront costs associated with buying an incubator, but it will pay for itself in a couple of seasons.

You can control when your chicks will hatch. I love having a broody mother hen hatch eggs for me, but they don’t always have the best timing. I sell eggs at different farmer’s markets, so I prefer to have new chicks in the fall. That way they’re ready to lay in the early spring just in time for market season. I don’t often have a broody hen during the fall months. Incubating chicken eggs will give you control over the timing of your chicks.

Biosecurity is much better when you have a closed flock. Several years ago my entire order of hatchery chicks was canceled due to an outbreak. I realized then how easily a disease from a hatchery could be introduced to my flock. Chickens are still susceptible to different illnesses from wild birds, but hatching chicks at home decreases some of the risks.

Buff hen with chicks under her wings on grass.

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What To Look for In Egg Incubators

The best egg incubators for hatching chickens have an automatic egg turner, temperature controls, forced air, and humidity controls to increase hatch rates with very little input from you.

Humidity Controls

Humidity is important when hatching eggs. In fact, not keeping a close watch on humidity will cause your eggs not to hatch at all.

Keeping humidity at ideal levels will decrease the moisture loss in the eggs. Humidity levels should remain between 25%-60% until day 18. In the last 3 days before hatching humidity levels should increase to around 75%.

A quality incubator makes it easy to control humidity levels. Some will have manual humidity controls while others have automated controls.

Automated controls will be a lot more convenient, especially if you work or are away frequently. You may also need a hygrometer to monitor the humidity levels.

Turning The Eggs

Eggs need to be turned around 3 times a day during the incubation period. You can do this by marking an X and an O on either side of the egg. This way you know that every egg has been turned. A quality egg incubator will turn the eggs automatically for you.

Eggs should not be turned the last 3 days before hatching. You should also be sure to leave the larger end of the egg higher when the egg is lying on its side. It should naturally lay like this anyway.

Keeping Eggs Warm

Typically, chicken eggs should be kept at optimal temperatures to hatch. This is generally 99.5 degrees F in order to hatch at 21 days. You need to choose an incubator that keeps the eggs at a consistent temperature and also has a thermometer for monitoring.

Having an incubator with an adjustable temperature helps you to tweak your incubator to suit your needs. Automated temperature controls will also allow you to be more hands-free when you’re incubating eggs. I suggest an external thermometer when you’re incubating eggs.

Egg Capacity

You will also want to consider the quantity of eggs you need to hatch when choosing an incubator. They can vary in size usually ranging from 6 eggs up to hundreds of eggs.

The capacity will also vary depending on the size of the eggs. If you want to hatch goose eggs, the capacity will decrease. If you’re hatching quail eggs the capacity will increase. The incubators I’m sharing here are for home use and not a commercial hatching operation.

Airflow in the incubator

An incubator is like a little oven keeping a consistent temperature for the eggs. However, airflow will make a difference in the consistency of that temperature. a forced air incubator will evenly distribute the heat which decreases the amount of cold spots. Kind of like a convection oven. There are cheaper incubators without the fan feature are air incubators that use still air. This method has a lot of hot and cold spots.

Digital Controls

Digital controls on an incubator will help you be more precise with the temperature and humidity settings. Even slight changes in these two conditions will greatly affect your overall hatch rate. Digital controls are a must in my opinion.

Some extra features that are also convenient to have are an egg candler to view a developing chicks, and trays that are easily removed for cleaning. Both of these feature will streamline your hatching process.

Egg Quality

not only do you need a good incubator, but you’ll also need a quality fertilized egg to increase your overall hatch rate. Be sure to get our gas from a source that you trust. Fresh, clean, unwashed eggs are best for hatching.

List of The Best Incubators For Hatching Chickens

Taking all of these factors into consideration here is a list of the top 18 egg incubators for hatching chickens at home. I didn’t list any commercial-grade incubators on this list. They would need many different features.

1. Manna Pro Harris Farms Nurture Right Egg Incubator

This chicken egg incubator is a favorite across the board for many reasons. It has a great price point and is easy to use resulting in high hatch rates.

Holds up to 22 chicken eggs.
Has forced airflow in the incubator
Has digital controls and a 360° View
Has an automatic egg turner that stops 3 days before the hatch.
No automated humidity control which is a complaint by some owners.

2. Brinsea Products Maxi 24 EX Fully Automatic 24 Egg Incubator with Humidity Control

Brinsea is a trusted and favorite brand for chicken keepers and one of the best automatic incubators for hatching chickens. The Brinsea brand makes great egg incubators overall. It does have a higher price point than many of the other home incubators on this list, but its full automation makes it worth the price. This one is also a smaller model, but there are larger ones.

Holds up to 24 chicken eggs
Has forced airflow in the incubator
Has digital controls and a 360° view
Has an automatic egg-turner
Automated humidity controls.

3. MATICOOPX 30 Egg Incubator with Humidity Display, Egg Candler, Automatic Egg Turner

MATICOOPX Incubator is a great product with a lower price point than some of the more popular brands. It has great reviews for its accurate temperature and humidity readings. It also has an egg candler to view the developing embryos.

Holds up to 30 chicken eggs
Has forced airflow in the incubator.
Has digital display
Has an automatic turning feature that stops 3 days before hatching.
Automated humidity controls.

4. Kebonnixs 12 Egg Incubator

Kebonnix is a small incubator holding up to 12 chicken eggs. It’s perfect for a classroom or other learning environment where you would only need a few chicks.

I would not recommend this product if you’re looking to keep your flock at sustainable numbers because it only holds a few eggs. Once you factor in the decreased hatch rate you will only get a few baby chicks.

Holds up to 12 chicken eggs. Some reviews suggest it holds less.
Has a forced air circulator.
Has digital controls
It has an automatic egg turner that stops 3 days before hatching.
No automated humidity controls.

5. Farm Innovators 41 Egg Incubator

The Farm Innovators is a great budget option for hatching a larger number of eggs at home. It’s a bargain coming in at under $150. It doesn’t have a double pane viewing window like other more expensive models which makes it less efficient at maintaining a consistent temperature.

I purchased this incubator for my classroom and have found that its temperature monitor is inaccurate. This isn’t uncommon with styrofoam incubators. Be sure to purchase an external thermometer for the best hatch rate.

Holds up to 41 chicken eggs.
Has a forced air circulator.
Has digital controls.
Has an automatic turner.
No automated humidity

Farm innovators incubator full of chicken eggs

6. ApDOE Store 12 Egg Incubator

This little incubator is a steal at less than $50. It would be perfect for a classroom or a fun project with kids. It probably wouldn’t be the best choice for maintaining your flock numbers since it’s pretty small and isn’t completely automated.

Holds up to 12 chicken eggs.
Has a forced air circulator.
Has digital controls.
Has an automatic egg turner, but you’ll need to remove the tray during the last 3 days of incubation.
Semi-automated humidity.

7. Bobmail 21 Egg Incubator

This is a great incubator for first-time hatching since it’s pretty easy to operate. The lid can be difficult to get on and settle just right to maintain temperature and humidity.

Holds up to 21 chicken eggs
Has a forced air circulator.
Has digital controls.
It has an automatic egg turner that will stop 3 days before hatching.
No automated humidity.

8. HovaBator 2370 Egg Incubator Deluxe Combo Kit

The HovaBator is a styrofoam incubator kit that comes with various parts to aid with hatching. Styrofoam incubators are great for holding a consistent temperature, but they don’t generally come with a lot of automated features. This product is a good lower-price option that holds a large number of eggs.

Holds up to 50 chicken eggs.
Has a forced air circulator
Has digital temperature control
Has an automatic egg turner in this kit.
No automated humidity.

9. Life Basis Automatic Egg Incubator

I included this incubator on the list because it has a good price point and holds a large amount of eggs. It doesn’t have all the features that some of the others have, but it would work if you’re on a tight budget and need a large amount of chicks.

Holds up to 40 chicken eggs
Isn’t specific about forced air.
Has a digital control
It has an automatic egg-turner
No automated humidity.

10. VEVOR 24 Egg Incubator

The Vevor incubator has several different options depending on the amount of eggs you want to hatch. It has many of the same features as more expensive incubators but at a better price point. It may require extra insulation to maintain a temperature.

Holds up to 24 chicken eggs
Has forced air circulator
Has digital controls.
It has an automatic egg-turner
Has an automated humidity pump, but some reviews state it doesn’t work very well.

11. IncuView™ 3 Pro All-in-One Automatic Egg Incubator

This Is a decent product that holds a larger number of eggs for the price. It’s made from quality materials and is definitely a step up from a styrofoam incubator.

Holds 27 chicken eggs
Has a forced air circulator
Has digital controls
Has an automatic egg turner.
No automated humidity

12. MeeF Incubator Automatic 30 Eggs Incubator

The MeeF incubator is a great quality product that holds up to 30 eggs. It has great reviews for insulation and temperature regulation. This incubator would be ideal for beginners wanting reliable hatch rate and one that’s easy to use.

Holds 30 chicken eggs
Has a forced air circulator
Has digital controls
Has automated egg turner
No automated humidity

13. The Hethya egg incubator

This is a fantastic incubator for a bargain price. It holds a large number of eggs and has many of the same great features as more expensive models. It has an automated humidity controller, however some people say it can be unreliable. Close monitoring is important.

Holds up to 30 chicken eggs.
Has forced air circulator
Has digital controls
It has an automatic egg-turner
Automated humidity control

14. TRIOCOTTAGE – MN24 Egg Incubator

A lot of people like this incubator just as much as more expensive brands. Customer service seems to also be nice with this product. It does not have a countdown and it is recommended to buy a separate temperature thermometer.

Holds 24 chicken eggs.
Has forced air circulator
Has digital controls
It has an automatic egg-turner
No automated humidity

15. ZOHOKO Incubators for Hatching Eggs

A great incubator for the price and holds a decent number of eggs. It’s made from quality ingredients so it maintains a steady temperature. It doesn’t have an automated humidity control system which means it’s not a completely hands off incubator.

Holds 24 chicken eggs.
Has a forced air circulator
Has digital controls
It has an automatic egg-turner
No automated humidity.

16. COCLILY Incubators for Hatching 24 Eggs

A nice incubator that holds a decent amount of eggs for the price. It would be great for a small farm with a budget. It has a smaller footprint which a lot of people enjoy.

Holds up to 24 eggs.
Has a forced air circulator
Has digital controls
It has an automatic egg-turner
No automated humidity. Some say it’s hard to control.

17. Chick Cozy 25 Egg Incubator for Hatching Chicks

This incubator has many of the same features as the more expensive brands. It also rotates the eggs more than many of the others turning them every hour.

Holds up to 25 chicken eggs
Has forced air circulator
Has digital controls
It has an automatic egg-turner
No automated humidity

18. HKDQ Egg Incubator

This incubator holds a large quantity of eggs for a low price point. Be sure to read the directions completely and keep the styrofoam on the incubator while using it.
Holds up to 126 eggs.

Has forced air circulator
Has digital controls
It has an automatic egg-turner
No automated humidity.

It’s important to keep in mind that the room temperature and humidity in your house can also affect the incubator. You may have to make adjustments to all incubators as needed. An external temperature gauge and hygrometer are always recommended.

Where To Keep Your Incubator

Keep your incubator in a draft-free room, that stays a constant 70-75° F. You also don’t want to keep it in an area that will not be in direct sunlight or any other areas where the temperature can fluctuate.

I don’t recommend keeping your incubator in an area that isn’t temperature controlled like a garage or shed. You need an area where the temperature stays constant.

Personal Review Of The Nurture Right Incubator

The Nurture Right is one of the best incubators for hatching chickens has been a good one for our needs and one that I would recommend if you want a more sustainable backyard flock.

It’s made from quality materials and holds a constant temperature well. The automated turning is great and makes incubating at home convenient.

The humidity can be difficult to control on it. However, after reviewing many other incubators this seems to be a common thing. This incubator isn’t one that you can set and forget. It needs to be monitored to make sure the humidity levels are right. This is especially true during the lockdown period when humidity levels are at their highest. There is a vent on top of the incubator which helps to better control it.

Overall it’s an excellent choice and worth the investment. You’ll have a good hatch rate compared to similar-priced incubators on the market.

FAQs

What is the ideal temperature for incubating chicken eggs?

The best incubation temperature for incubating chicken eggs is 99.5°F. Increasing or decreasing the temperature can decrease overall hatch rates

How long does it take for chicken eggs to hatch?

It generally takes 21 days to hatch. This can vary depending on temperature, humidity, and other factors.

What humidity level is best for incubating chicken eggs?

During the incubation period, aim for a humidity level between 50-60%. During the last 3 days before hatching, increase the humidity to 70-80%.

When should I stop turning the eggs?

Stop turning the eggs 3 days before they hatch or day 18 of incubation. This is called “lockdown,” when the eggs are left still so the chicks to position themselves for hatching.

Can I incubate eggs from the grocery store?

Eggs from the grocery store are generally not fertile eggs and have been washed and refrigerated so they won’t hatch. For hatching, you need fertilized eggs from a reliable source.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right incubator is a big deal if you want your eggs to hatch successfully. Whether you’re just getting started and planning to hatch a few eggs at home, or you’re running a small farm with a bigger batch to deal with, there’s an incubator out there for you.

Consider things like how many eggs you want to hatch, whether you need automatic turning, and how easy it is to keep the temperature and humidity steady.

With the right incubator and a bit of attention, you’ll soon have a bunch of baby chicks on your hands. Just remember, hatching eggs is a mix of using good equipment and keeping a close watch on things.

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More From The Farm

How To Set Up A Chicken Brooder

Now that you’ve had success with your new incubator, you’ll need to set up a brooder for those new baby chicks. Setting up a brooder is fairly straight forward and simple. You’ll still need to use the thermometer you were using for your incubator to make sure the chicks stay warm.

Steps to Setting up a chick brooder:

- Prepare the Box: Line the bottom of the box with a couple of inches of bedding. This will give your chicks a comfortable surface to walk on.

- Install the Heat Source: Hang the heat lamp or position the brooder heater at one end of the box. This creates a temperature gradient, allowing the chicks to choose how warm they need to be. If you’re using a heat lamp, be sure to position it so that you don’t run the risk of the lamp touching the bedding and causing a fire. I added a wire guard on top of the brooder to prevent the lamp from being able to fall into the bedding if something happened.

Continue reading about how to set up a chicken brooder.

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