The advantages of using an automatic egg incubator
Whether you are a professional breeder or a beginner wanting to raise your own chicks, an egg incubator will make your job much easier.
The egg incubators are not only intended for the hatching of chicken eggs, but can also be used for:
- ducks
- colini
- pigeons
- partridges
- pheasants
- pharaoh
- geese
- peacocks
- partridges
- pigeons
- quails
- partridges
- turkeys
- turtledoves
- exotic birds
- and many other animal species, poultry and non-poultry.
Witnessing the hatching of one's own eggs is an extraordinary and exciting experience that everyone should experience at least once in their life.
But what is the difference between a manual and an automatic egg incubator? How do automatic incubators work and what are their advantages?
Manual or automatic egg incubator
The main difference between manual egg incubators, semi-automatic incubators and automatic is the way the eggs are turned. The eggs must be turned two or three times a day to hatch and give birth to healthy chicks. It is a vital part of the incubation process as it prevents the embryo from sticking to the inner walls of the eggshell.
Using a manual incubator, it is necessary to manually turn each egg several times a day. It may not seem like a lot of work, but doing it three times a day can be time-consuming, especially if you are managing several broods at the same time.
If you choose to use a manual incubator, it is important to ensure that you turn the eggs over correctly by gently turning them over. A little trick is to mark one side of the egg with the number 1 and the other side with the number 2 so that you can check at any time whether or not an egg has been turned during the day.
Automatic egg incubators, unlike manual ones, make the job much easier. However, there are two types of automatic incubators:
- semi-automatics
- fully automatic
With semi-automatic egg incubators, it is still necessary to turn the eggs manually, but it is possible to turn them all at the same time. Semi-automatic incubators are in fact equipped with a pull rod that allows the base (or floor) of the incubator to rotate and turn all the eggs at the same time.
It is also possible to purchase separately a automatic egg turner for incubators and transform your semi-automatic incubator into a fully automatic one at a later date.
Automatic egg incubators, on the other hand, turn the eggs autonomously without the need for any supervision. Furthermore, by downloading our dedicated app, the River CovApp, is possible monitor the progress of hatching directly from your smartphone at all times.
Advantages of using an automatic egg incubator
Besides making your life easier, automatic egg incubators also have other advantages.
- They guarantee a higher hatching rate
- They limit breakage or the fall of eggs
- They ensure that the eggs are turn correctly every time
- They maintain constant temperature and humidity 24 hours a day
Why buy an egg incubator?
If you already have hens that hatch eggs on their own, why should you choose to use an incubator? The reason is very simple: convenience.
The hatching period of hens, for example, lasts about three weeks and during this time they do not lay any more eggs. The incubator saves time and money by ensuring continuous egg production. Furthermore, egg incubators always do their job well. Indeed, it can happen that, due to distractions or special external conditions, the hens do not hatch their eggs correctly or long enough, thus lowering the hatching rate.
Using an egg incubator is also fun because you can observe the entire process and, for example, carry out a fun project with your children. Finally, egg incubators are the perfect solution if you want to hatch eggs but have no possibility of keeping hens. You can buy eggs from a local breeder or farmer and then hatch them yourself at home.
How do egg incubators work?
Egg incubators work by simulating the environment created when a hen starts hatching. When a mother does her job properly, the perch provides the right temperature, humidity levels and rotation needed for the chicks to hatch. An ideal egg incubator also maintains the ideal temperature and humidity level for the species of birds you are hatching and performs the rotation for you. The River Systems egg incubators are also equipped with a illuminated display to give you the possibility to monitor temperature and humidity without having to open the lid.
The River Systems egg incubators also have the following features:
- Inspection window
- Tilting tray
- Honeycomb system which adapts to various egg sizes
- Hatching grid
- Digital display easy to use
- External water filling ports without opening the incubator
Our incubators are perfect for beginners approaching this world for the first time and for professionals looking for a high-tech support that guarantees optimal results every time.
Buy an egg incubator online today
Are you ready to dive into the world of hatching eggs or are you finally ready to exchange your old manual incubator for an automatic one? Then take a look at our full range.
If you also want to simplify the collection of eggs laid in your hen house, take a look at our hen nests.
For further resources or information on our incubators or our other products contact us directly.