How to Use a Hova-Bator Incubator to Hatch a Chicken Egg

Many different factors determine the success of hatching eggs and the development of the chicks. Damaged eggs, old or infertile eggs, eggs from poor stock, improper egg turning during incubation, moisture and even the room temperature outside of the incubator affect the development of a chick. Consider a minimum of 70% of hatched eggs a successful hatching. A successful hatching also depends on a steady, even temperature. Even though the Hova-Bator incubator thermostat controls the incubating temperature, fluctuations in room temperature will affect the incubator's thermostat.

Things You'll Need

  • Hova-Bator incubator
  • Wire incubator floor
  • Plastic liner with humidity troughs
  • Fertilized eggs
  • Pencil
  • Water
  • Brooder
  • Pan or Egg Carton
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Instructions

  1. Preparation

    • 1

      Set the incubator base on a flat surface near a wall outlet; out of direct sunlight, with fresh air, no drafts and consistent temperature.

    • 2

      Place the plastic liner in the bottom of the incubator. Place the wire floor on top of the plastic liner and fill the circulated (outer) trough in the base of the incubator with clean water. Do not allow the trough to overflow.

    • 3

      Set the incubator top firmly in the grooves on the incubator base and plug the power cord into the wall power outlet. The thermostat light will be red during heating, and will turn off when hot. Allow the incubator to warm up until the temperature reaches 99.5 F.

    • 4
      Place the eggs in a carton to warm up to room temperature.

      Use a pencil to mark one side of each egg with an X and the other side with an O and place the eggs in a carton or pan to allow them to warm up to room temperature.

    • 5

      Lay the eggs on the wire floor of the incubator when the eggs are warm and the incubator has reached the appropriate temperature. Let them lay naturally, do not prop them up against the incubator side or any other eggs. Place all eggs with the X side up.

    • 6

      Replace the incubator lid firmly on the base.

    Incubating the Eggs

    • 7

      Turn the eggs from the X to the O side two to three times daily for 18 days. Check the water level in the trough during the turning. Refill the trough if the water level drops to half of the original level.

    • 8

      Add clean water to both the outer and inner troughs in the incubator base 19 to 20 days after incubation started. Replace the incubator lid firmly and do not remove until the chicks have hatched. This should occur on day 21.

    • 9
      Baby chicks should hatch within 21 days.

      Move the chicks from the incubator to the brooder only after all chicks have hatched. This should be within 24 hours after the first chick emerged. Some weaker chicks may not break the shell until a day or two after this, but most will emerge within 24 hours.