The Best Egg Incubators for Backyard Hatching
Temperature, humidity and turning decide your hatch rate. Every incubator here has automatic turning, and all but the budget pick list a fan; they differ in size and how much they do for you.
Top Picks (At a Glance)
Quick links to the products we recommend in this guide. Prices shown on Amazon at click-through.
Nurture Right 360 (22 eggs)
22 chicken eggs, automatic turning, per the listing. Details below.
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MATICOOPX 20 Egg
20 chicken eggs, automatic, hourly, auto-stops 3 days before hatch turning, per the listing. Details below.
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Brinsea Mini II Advance (7 eggs)
7 eggs, automatic with auto-stop turning, per the listing. Details below.
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Brinsea Mini II EX (7 eggs)
7 eggs, automatic turning, per the listing. Details below.
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What matters in an incubator
- A fan (forced air). Fan models hold an even temperature. Mississippi State Extension gives 100°F for forced-air incubators and 102°F for still-air; Utah State says close to 99.5°F for forced air. Follow your incubator's manual within that range.
- Humidity you can see. Mississippi State recommends 58–60% relative humidity for days 1–18 and 65% or more for the last three days.
- Automatic turning that stops. Eggs need turning several times a day (Mississippi State says at least 4–6 times) until the last three days, when turning stops for hatch.
- A candler. Checking development without moving eggs saves hatches.
Step-by-step instructions are in our guide to hatching chicken eggs in an incubator.
The best egg incubators
Best overall
Harris Farms Nurture Right 360 Incubator
The Nurture Right 360 has a clear top for watching the hatch, an air circulation fan, automatic turning, and built-in lighting for candling. The listing says it holds up to 22 chicken eggs, 12–18 duck eggs or 22–24 pheasant eggs.
Why it made the list
- Clear top: watch without opening
- Built-in candling light
What to watch
- Humidity is managed by adding water; buy a separate hygrometer to confirm it
Best mid-size value
MATICOOPX 20 Egg Incubator
MATICOOPX's 20-egg model turns eggs every 60 minutes and, per the listing, stops turning automatically three days before hatch, which removes the most common lockdown mistake. It also shows humidity on the display. A 30-egg version is available.
Why it made the list
- Auto-stop turning for lockdown
- Humidity display
What to watch
- Check the warranty terms on the listing before buying
Best small precision
Brinsea Mini II Advance
The Brinsea Mini II Advance holds seven eggs, has fan-assisted air circulation, automatic turning with an auto-stop and a countdown timer, and an external water top-up so you can add humidity without opening the lid.
Why it made the list
- Fan-assisted air circulation
- External water top-up
- Auto-stop turning
What to watch
- Only 7 eggs
- No built-in candler
Best humidity readout
Brinsea Mini II EX
The EX adds a digital display of humidity (% RH) and turning status, with alarms, according to the listing. It comes with two egg disks; the listing describes one as holding seven eggs up to duck size.
Why it made the list
- Shows humidity on screen
- Alarms
What to watch
- Small batch size
Best budget
VEVOR 12 Egg Incubator
A 12-egg way to try hatching. The listing promises even distribution of temperature and humidity and includes a candler. Check its temperature against a separate thermometer before setting eggs.
Why it made the list
- Low price
- Built-in candler
What to watch
- Verify temperature with your own thermometer
Comparison
| Incubator | Eggs | Fan | Turning | Candler |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harris Farms Nurture Right 360 Incubator | 22 chicken eggs | Yes | automatic | built-in LED candling light |
| MATICOOPX 20 Egg Incubator | 20 chicken eggs | Yes | automatic, hourly, auto-stops 3 days before hatch | built-in |
| Brinsea Mini II Advance | 7 eggs | Yes | automatic with auto-stop | no |
| Brinsea Mini II EX | 7 eggs | Yes | automatic | no; displays humidity (% RH) |
| VEVOR 12 Egg Incubator | 12 eggs | Not stated | automatic | built-in |
Frequently Asked Questions
What temperature should an incubator be for chicken eggs?
Extension sources give about 99.5–100°F for forced-air (fan) incubators and about 100.5–102°F for still-air models, measured as your incubator's manual directs. Chicken eggs hatch in about 21 days.
What humidity do chicken eggs need?
Mississippi State Extension recommends 58–60% relative humidity for days 1–18 and 65% or more for the last three days.
When do I stop turning eggs?
Three days before hatch, around day 18 for chicken eggs.
How old can eggs be before incubating?
Mississippi State recommends setting eggs within 7 days, stored at about 55°F with the small end down.
Sources
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