5 Essential Tips for Successful Egg Incubation

Achieving high hatch rates requires more than just a quality incubator—it demands attention to detail and proper technique. Here are five essential tips to maximize your hatching success.

1. Start with Quality Eggs

Your hatch rate begins with egg selection. Choose clean, properly shaped eggs from healthy hens. Avoid eggs that are too large, too small, cracked, or dirty. Store eggs at 12-15°C with the pointed end down if you can't incubate immediately, but don't store for more than 7 days.

2. Maintain Proper Temperature

Temperature is critical for embryo development. Most chicken eggs require 37.5°C (99.5°F). Even small variations can affect hatch rates or cause deformities. Our automatic incubators maintain precise temperature control, but always verify with a reliable thermometer.

3. Control Humidity Levels

Humidity affects moisture loss from the egg. For chicken eggs, maintain 40-50% humidity during incubation and increase to 65-75% during the last three days (lockdown period). Too low causes chicks to stick to shells; too high prevents proper weight loss.

4. Turn Eggs Regularly

Eggs must be turned at least 3-5 times daily to prevent the embryo from sticking to the shell membrane. Our automatic incubators handle this for you, ensuring consistent turning without manual intervention—saving you time and improving results.

5. Minimize Disturbances

Resist the urge to constantly open your incubator. Each opening causes temperature and humidity fluctuations. Use the viewing window to monitor progress. Only open when necessary for candling (around day 7 and day 14) or during lockdown setup.

Bonus Tip: Keep Records

Track your batches—note egg source, incubation dates, candling results, and hatch rates. This data helps you identify patterns and continuously improve your process.

With the right equipment and proper technique, you'll achieve excellent hatch rates. Our automatic incubators are designed to make the process easier and more reliable for Kenyan farmers.