When hatching eggs, you need to be sure that the environment is right. There are a number of ways to do this, but one of the best is by using an egg incubator.

The incubator provides a constant temperature and humidity level to ensure that the embryos develop properly. It also prevents the emergence of contaminants that may damage the embryos. The incubator should have a clear window so you can view the progress of your eggs. You should check the temperature of your eggs several times a day. If the temperature is too high or too low, the eggs will not develop well and could even die.

There are different types of egg incubators, so it is important to choose the one that will work for you. The incubators that are designed for smaller breeds of poultry, such as chicken and quail, have small windows that will allow you to view the eggs without disturbing them. These are more convenient and simpler to use than larger incubators. They are also ideal for those who want to hatch a limited number of eggs each year.

If you plan on hatching a large number of chicks, it is a good idea to get a larger egg hatching machine that can hold up to 24 large breed chicken eggs. These models are more complicated than their smaller counterparts and feature computerized grade fans, vent sliders, and water reservoirs to control the environment inside. This will result in higher hatch rates than other models.

An incubator can be purchased at a hardware store or online. Before using it, you should wash the interior of the incubator with a 10% bleach solution and a sponge. After washing, it is a good idea to rinse and dry it thoroughly. It is also recommended to wash the eggs with a disinfectant prior to incubation. During the hatching process, the eggs must be turned at least once every 12 hours. This will help prevent the embryos from sticking to the shell membrane.

Some incubators have an automatic egg turner that will rotate the eggs for you. This is a great option if you are not comfortable turning the eggs yourself, but it can be more difficult to clean than other types of incubators. You should also remove the eggs from the turner and place them on the bottom of the incubator (most come with a wire floor) three days before they are set to hatch.

If you don’t want to purchase an expensive incubator, a simple Hova-Bator will work just fine for all kinds of eggs including reptiles. It has heated air flow and two small windows for viewing your eggs, but it does not have external temperature and humidity gauges. To make sure that the eggs are not too hot, it is a good idea to remove the egg trays and replace them with pebbles or small stones. This will keep the temperature more consistent and avoid the burning of the embryos and chicks.