The Best Incubator For Hatching Chicks – Brinsea Ovation 56 EX Egg Incubator Review
We’ve developed a love for chickens and are excited about hatching our own chicks. We recently invested in the Brinsea Ovation 56 EX fully automatic egg incubator, and it’s been worth every penny. It’s user-friendly and boasts a high hatch rate, making it an excellent choice for anyone looking to incubate eggs.
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It’s beyond the scope of this post to teach how to use the Brinsea incubator but I will say the instructions are quite thorough. I’m simply sharing what we did and how it worked out for us.
Day 1
- We decided to incubate 20 fertilized eggs that we got from our own chickens. A mix between ISA Brown and Icelandic.
- We had 2-3 eggs in each frame, they were large.
- Temperature set to 37.5 C
- Humidity set to 45%
- The frames turning every 45 minutes
Day 2-4
- Frequently checking temperature and humidity but leaving them be.
Day 5
- Previous times incubating on day five, we’ve shone a light on the eggs to see if they have grown, also known as spidering. This time, we decided to leave them be and see what happens.
Day 6-18
- Frequently checking temperature and humidity but leaving them be.
Day 19
- I removed the frames and increased the humidity to 65% to prepare for hatching!
Day 20
- Pipping and hatching begins!
- A couple chicks born and left to dry in the incubator for 18-36 hours.
Day 21
- A couple more chicks born and left to dry in the incubator for 18-36 hours.
- Humidity level fluctuating around 65-80%.
Day 22
- A couple more chicks born and left to dry in the incubator for 18-36 hours.
- Dried out, fluffy chicks were moved to the warm brooder.
- One is still pipping.
Day 23
- Final few active eggs have hatched.
- Two eggs remain, one that had been pipping for 36+ hours and one that never pipped at all.
- Tried to assist hatching for the one struggling. Peeled back some shell and reduced the humidity which was a mistake.
- Struggling chick eventually dried out and died.
Hatch Rate = 18/20 (90%)
Overall, the process was very hands-off. We simply had to check on the machine to make sure everything was in the correct range and be there to assist hatching. The high hatch rate was very rewarding and we came out with 18 happy and healthy chicks!
Post-Hatch
The chicks that hatched in the incubator were left to dry out for 18-36 hours. During this time they were sometimes active, chirping, pecking at hatching shells and incubator frame. Sometimes they were calm, sleeping next to each other, eyes closed.
Once they were fluffy and dry, we moved them to a temperature controlled brooder. It stayed around 25-35C with heat lamps and a space heater.
Once they were in the brooder supplied with a feeder and waterer, we dipped each baby beak into the water dish so they knew where water was.
A day or two after being moved to the brooder, I checked for pasty butt. I noticed 2/18 of the chicks had pasty butt and removed it with warm water and my fingers.
At this stage, we were checking on them about 3 times a day. Checking temperature, activity, food and water levels.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Brinsea Ovation 56 EX
1. How many eggs can I fit in the Brinsea Ovation 56 EX?
The Brinsea Ovation 56 EX can hold up to 56 chicken eggs or a comparable number of smaller eggs, depending on their size.
2. Is the incubator fully automatic?
Yes, the Ovation 56 EX has fully automatic temperature and humidity control, as well as automatic egg turning.
3. How do I set up the incubator?
Setting up the incubator involves creating a water reservoir for humidity, plugging it in, adding eggs and calibrating the temperature and humidity settings as needed. The user manual provides well-detailed instructions that are easy to follow.
4. What temperature should I maintain for hatching eggs?
The recommended temperature and the temperature we used for hatching chicken eggs is typically around 37.5°C (99.5°F).
5. How do I monitor temperature and humidity?
The incubator comes with built-in digital displays for monitoring temperature and humidity levels, allowing you to easily track conditions. You don’t have to do anything yourself to keep the levels in range aside from making sure there’s water in the reservoir and keeping the room temperature above 15°C.
6. How often should I turn the eggs?
With the automatic turning feature, the incubator will turn the eggs every 45-60 minutes, which is typically sufficient for proper development.
7. What type of eggs can I incubate in the Brinsea Ovation 56 EX?
You can incubate a variety of eggs, including chicken, duck, quail, and turkey, depending on their size and specific requirements.
8. How long does it take for eggs to hatch?
The incubation period varies by species; chicken eggs typically take about 21 days, while duck eggs can take around 28 days.
9. How do I clean the incubator?
After use, clean the incubator with a mild disinfectant and warm water. Make sure you remove any debris and ensure all surfaces are sanitized before the next use.
10. Is it noisy?
The Brinsea Ovation 56 EX operates quietly, making it suitable for home use without causing disturbances.
11. What warranty does it come with?
The incubator typically comes with a warranty that varies by retailer, often around one year. Check with your specific retailer for details.
12. Can I incubate different types of eggs at the same time?
While it is possible to hatch different types of eggs together, be mindful of their specific temperature and humidity needs, as they may vary. They may also hatch at different times which can disturb the others.
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