This guide covers the following topics:
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- Selecting the Right Incubator
- Which Accessories do I need?
- Getting the Best Value
- Why Buy from Incubator Warehouse?
- Incubation Basics
1) Selecting the Right Incubator
Below is a table summary of the most popular incubator choices. See below table for commentary.
Little Giant 9300 vs Hova Bator 1602N vs Hova Bator 2370
Many customers ask us about the differences between these incubators. They will all hold the same quantity of eggs and the turners work the same for each one (the Little Giant egg turner is slightly higher quality). The Hova Bator 1602N, 2370, & Little Giant 9300 are all known to do a fine job incubating eggs. There are a few differences (ALSO See table above):
- First, the thermostats are very different.
- The Hova Bator 1602N uses a mechanical wafer-style thermostat. It works great but you will need to install it (not very difficult and comes with good instructions). The Hova Bator adjusts its temperature in a multi turn rotation (one full rotation of the adjustment knob will provide a small temperature change).
- The Little Giant 9300 replaces the mechanical Little Giant 9200 and uses a built-in digital electronic thermostat with temperature and humidity readout.
- The 2370 is a step above both in certain ways as it is a 1602N but utilizes a digital electronic thermostat to measure temperature only (no humidity measurement). It also comes standard with a fan to circulate air and reduce hot and cold pockets in the incubator to increase incubation performance and efficiency which both the standard 9300 and 1602N are Still Air and do not utilize fans unless upgraded (both 9300 and 1602N are offered with pre-installed fans) for around the same price as the 2370.
- The Hova Bator 2370 comes standard with a fan installed to circulate air and reduce hot/cold pockets. This feature improves hatch rate and incubation efficiency. The Hova Bator 1602N and Little Giant 9300 are Still Air incubators and do not have fans BUT do have the added option to be upgraded with fans to make them the equivalent of the 2370 in this respect of utilizing a fan.
- The Hova Bator 1602N & 2370 come with an easy to clean sanitary liner for the bottom of the incubator. The Little Giant 9300 does not.
- The Little Giant 9300 viewing windows are a little larger than the Hova Bator 1602N & 2370.
- The Hova Bator 1602N & 2370 has a slightly higher ceiling which gives it room enough to fit goose eggs in the egg turner (if you get the goose rails accessory). The Little Giant 9300 does not have a goose rail turner option since the ceiling is too low.
Our experience shows that all three incubators work well and will get the job done. Comparing these three is tricky as the Little Giant 9300 replaced the previous version 9200 which was the mechanical equivalent of the Hova Bator 1602N. The Hova Bator 2370 is an updated 1602N using a digital electronic thermostat, but also comes standard with a fan to circulate air. The 2370 does not measure humidity still unlike the Little Giant 9300 and so you much purchase a separate hygrometer. When asked to give an opinion we prefer the Hova Bator 1602N over the Little Giant 9300 and the Hova Bator 2370. It is just a matter of preference. We have sold TONS of each incubator with very happy customers experiences with either incubator.
Hova Bator Genesis 1588 Preset
The 1588 Genesis Hova Bator is pre-set for bird eggs. Simply plug it in, then add water and eggs. Nothing to set up or adjust. Advantages of this incubator over the Little Giant 9300, the Hova Bator 1602N, & Hova Bator 2370 are:
- Preset Electronic Thermostat
- Built-In Thermometer/Hygrometer
- Full Viewing Window
- Circulated air fan is already installed
- Power supply accepts 110V-240V AC - Good for International Customers
- Safe Low Voltage DC Power
IncuView
The IncuView™ has been designed to be an affordable alternative to other expensive plastic tabletop incubators on the market today.
The IncuView™ egg incubator comes with many of the same features that the high-end, expensive incubators have, yet at a fraction of the cost. We have designed the IncuView™ to help you manage the critical factors that influence the success of your hatch:
- Incubator Warehouse Incubator Control Module™
- Pre-set proportional digital thermostat (99.5 F)
- Digital display of temperature
- Automatic temperature control in °F or °C
- Hatch Timer
- Control number of egg turns per day
- Built-in humidity gauge
- Automatic universal egg turner (Any size egg up to Goose)
- Egg Capacity: 27 chicken*, 49 Quail*, or 17 Goose*
- Durable plastic construction
- Transparent dome for easy viewing
- Easy-to-fill humidity rings
- 12V DC power (Allows 110V OR 220V Input)
The IncuView™ was designed to give you more power, control, and features you could not have without spending more money toward high-end brand incubators. We also wanted to allow you to see the inside of your incubator during the entire process and especially during hatching because we want to see as well. We highly recommend this incubator as do many of our customers because we took all the things you liked about other incubators and integrated many of those into this incubator while not being as high in price.
Brinsea Egg Incubators
Three of the most popular Brinsea egg incubator options are available:
Although small the Mini II Advance offers advanced features which make it attractive to any breeder:
- 7 egg capacity (12 small eggs with optional insert)
- Temperature factory preset at 99.5 F (37.5°C) but fully adjustable
- High and low temperature alarms including the new room temperature alarm
- Periodic Egg Cooling feature
- Fan assisted air circulation Humidity provided by water trays with new convenient external water top-up; not suitable for automatic humidity control.
- Automatic egg turning - turning interval and turning angle programmable
- Countdown to hatch day with auto turn stop
- Clear dome for excellent visibility Biomaster™ anti-microbial plastic construction - robust and easy to clean
- 3-year warranty
Maximum egg capacities (approximate):
- Quail: 12
- Pheasant: 12
- Hen: 7
- Duck: 7
The popular Mini Advance incubator has been joined by a larger brother the Maxi II Advance. Perfect for those new to incubation it provides the convenience of automatic turning with the reassurance of digital alarms and count-down to hatch day.
This 14-egg incubator offers advanced features which make it attractive to any breeder:
- 14 egg capacity (40 small eggs with optional insert)
- Temperature factory preset at 99.5 F (37.5°C) but fully adjustable
- High and low temperature alarms including the new room temperature alarm
- Periodic Egg Cooling feature
- Fan assisted air circulation
- Humidity provided by water trays with new convenient external water top-up; not suitable for automatic humidity control.
- Automatic egg turning - turning interval and turning angle programmable
- Countdown to hatch day with auto turn stop
- Clear dome for excellent visibility
- Biomaster™ anti-microbial plastic construction - robust and easy to clean
- 3-year warranty
Maximum egg capacities (approximate):
- Quail: 40
- Pheasant: 40
- Chicken: 14
- Duck: 14
3. Brinsea Ovation 28 Advance Egg Incubator
The Ovation 28 Advance is a sophisticated, high performance incubator ideal for a wide range of species and applications. The high accuracy digital readout of humidity and comprehensive alarms help ensure high hatch rates.
A simple and highly accurate menu driven digital control system gives:
- Digital display of temperature and humidity
- Automatic temperature control in °F or °C fully factory calibrated
- High and low incubator and room temperature alarms
- Programmable automatic egg turning
- Periodic Egg Cooling feature
- Fan assisted air flow with Induced Dual Airflow system
- Ventilation control
- Good visibility of the eggs
- Robust hygienic ABS construction with Biomaster™ antimicrobial plastics
- 28 hen eggs capacity with standard egg carriers provided but suitable for a wide range of egg sizes (optional small/large egg carriers)
- Easy water top-up with level indicator
- 3-year warranty
- Capacities with standard egg carriers (approximate):
- Quail: 48
- Pheasant: 48
- Chicken: 28
- Duck: 28
- Goose: 0
Cabinet Incubators
Cabinets are for those looking to incubate large numbers of eggs. Many professionals and smaller businesses might utilize these units to incubate as they are designed to incubate large numbers of eggs efficiently. The following 4 are some of the most popular on the market today.
The IncuView XL All-In-One Cabinet Incubator (Egg Incubator & Hatcher Combo)
The IncuView XL All-In-One Cabinet Incubator brings a whole new experience to incubating in large quantities with it’s full-view window. The all-in-one design gives you everything you need right out of the box. This cabinet incubator is setting a new standard for cabinet incubators. Packed with more features than most other cabinet incubators on the market offer today, this cabinet comes standard with 6 egg turner trays that will fit chicken through goose eggs. A HumidiKit™ Digital Automatic Humidity Management System is used to control humidity more consistently in your incubator for an easier incubation experience. Most other cabinet incubators require you to buy egg trays and the additional humidity management tools separate from your incubator driving your total cost even higher. But ours come included!
GQF 1502 Digital Sportsman Cabinet (Egg Incubator & Hatcher Combo)
This upgraded version of the No. 1502 “SPORTSMAN” incubator now offers an accurate digital thermostat with LCD display of Temperature and Humidity. An on-board computer system monitors the environment every second to keep itself updated and to share this data with you. Electronic egg turning control, audio/visual indicators and a standard easy view door highlight a number of new features. The No. 1502 “SPORTSMAN” is a complete incubator and hatcher. In addition to having three automatically turned racks, it has a hatching tray in the bottom of the incubator. So, if you are just getting started with a small flock, all you need is this one incubator. Set the eggs each week or so and then hatch the oldest setting eggs at the same time. Settings are rotated among the three turning trays so that the hatching tray can accept the eggs from one of the setting trays each cycle. 110 Volt AC 225 Watts
This incubator includes:
- 1 #3258 Digital Command Center thermostat
- 3 turning racks & 1 plastic hatching tray (no cover)
- 1 moisture pan with 2 wick pads
- Instruction booklet
Total Capacity with plastic trays (SOLD SEPERATELY):
- 1368 Quail Eggs
- 354 pheasant eggs
- 270 chicken eggs
- 198 turkey or duck eggs
- 36-45 larger eggs such as goose, peafowl, and emu.
GQF 1202E Classic Sportsman Cabinet Incubator (Egg Incubator & Hatcher Combo)
The 1202E Sportsman is an improved model of GQF’s proven 1202 standard incubator. It has the same size and capacity as the electronic 1502 Sportsman but with less automation for reduced cost. The 1202E features mechanically timed automatic egg turning, rugged dial thermometer/hygrometer, and a new multi-turn analog electronic thermostat system. The 1202E can accept all cabinet model accessories. Plastic board construction makes the cabinet better insulated, quieter, and easier to clean. Each unit is hand assembled by our skilled craftsmen and tested for a full 24 hours for proper operation and calibration.
110-120VAC, 50/60 Hz, 325 Watts. TUV Listed
Total Capacity with plastic trays (SOLD SEPERATELY):
- 1368 Quail Eggs
- 354 pheasant eggs
- 270 chicken eggs
- 198 turkey or duck eggs
- 36-45 larger eggs such as goose, peafowl, and emu.
GQF 1500 Digital Cabinet Egg Incubator (Incubator) & GQF 1550 Digital Cabinet Egg Incubator (Hatcher ONLY)
Removing the hatching tray allowed us to space the trays further apart and have them turn to a steeper angle. The No. 1500 is exempt from use as a hatcher allowing it to avoid the mess associated with hatches and remain clean. This incubator only has to maintain one humidity setting making it easier on the eggs and easier to operate. The “PROFESSIONAL” is designed to be used with the No. 1550 HATCHER. We recommend purchasing the two together. Up to three No 1500’s can be used with one hatcher for a weekly production of chicks from a laying flock. The No. 1500 incubator offers an accurate digital thermostat with LCD display of Temperature and Humidity. An on-board computer system monitors the environment every second to keep itself updated and to share this data with you. Electronic egg turning control, audio/visual indicators and a standard easy view door highlight a number of features. Constructed from high strength plastic board making it well insulated, quieter, and easier to clean. Each unit is hand assembled by our skilled craftsmen and tested for a full 24 hours for proper operation and calibration. Thermostat operating range between 60-103 degrees F. depending on room temperature.
- 110-120VAC, 50/60 Hz, 325 Watts
- TUV Listed
- This incubator includes:
- 1 #3258 Digital Command Center thermostat
- 3 turning racks
- 1 moisture pan with 2 wick pads
- Instruction booklet
- Total Capacity with plastic trays (sold separately):
- 1368 Quail Eggs
- 354 pheasant eggs
- 270 chicken eggs
- 198 turkey or duck eggs
- 36-45 larger eggs such as goose, peafowl, and emu.
The 1550 HATCHER incubator is designed to allow for the best hatching conditions. Unlike setting incubators, hatchers usually operate at slightly different temperature and humidity settings to obtain optimum hatch. With five hatching drawers the 1550 Hatcher will hold the complete setting of the 1500 incubator. For expanding operations, the 1550 can be matched with up to three 1500 incubators. The 1550 can be used to set eggs, but each egg will have to be turned by hand. For small chicks such as quail, each hatching tray comes with a tray cover except for the bottom drawer. The No. 1550 HATCHER incubator offers an accurate digital thermostat with LCD display of Temperature and Humidity. An on-board computer system monitors the environment every second to keep itself updated and to share this data with you. Audio/visual indicators and a standard easy view door highlight a number of standard features. Constructed from high strength plastic board making it well insulated, quieter, and easier to clean. Each unit is hand assembled by our skilled craftsmen and tested for a full 24 hours for proper operation and calibration. Thermostat operating range between 60-103 degrees F. depending on room temperature.
- 110-120VAC, 50/60 Hz, 325 Watts
- TUV Listed Hatcher includes:
- 1 #3258 Digital Command Center
- 5 hatching trays
- 1 moisture pan with 2 wick pads
- Instruction booklet
- 4 hatching tray covers
- Total capacity approximately 1250 Quail eggs or 360 Chicken Eggs
2) Which Accessories do I need?
Based on feedback from our customers most people find that just buying a still air incubator is not enough to get the results they want. We have listed our most common accessories below (in order of importance). Don't forget to consider buying items together, you will save money on shipping costs and product costs by buying a kit (see next section).
Thermometer/Hygrometer: (A Hygrometer measures humidity) The ChickBator, HB 1602N, LG 9200, & HB1588 all come with a glass thermometer and nothing to measure humidity (Hygrometer). This makes getting a thermometer/hygrometer a necessity.
Circulated Air Fan Kit: Uniform temperature is critical in incubation. A fan kit will help increase your hatch rates.
Egg Turner/Quail Rails: Eggs must be turned 3+ times per day in order to prevent the bird from becoming stuck inside the egg. Buying an auto egg turner is optional, but most people find they just don't have the discipline and/or time to turn the eggs that many times with work schedules, errands, life, etc.
Egg Candler: This accessory is the most fun of all of them. Short of watching the eggs hatch, there is nothing quite as exciting as watching the bird move and develop while still inside the egg.
Brooder Kit: Once your birds hatch your birds need special care to keep them warm and safe
Feeders, Waterers: Good Feeders & Waterers will save you from constantly changing water and feed
Egg O Meter: For users who want to see the temperature that really counts. The internal egg temperature.
3) Combo Kits - Best Value
Our most popular items are our Combo Kits because we offer a wide range of products & accessories at GREAT prices and reduced shipping costs. Click on one of the incubator names below and you will be taken to the respective combo kit table to see the options available in each model of incubator.
- Chickbator Hobby Incubator
- Little Giant 9300 Egg Incubator
- Hova Bator 2370 Egg Incubator
- Hova Bator 1602N Egg Incubator
- IncuView Egg Incubator
- Hova Bator Genesis 1588 Egg Incubator
- Brinsea Egg Incubators
- Cabinet Style Egg Incubators
4) Why Buy from Incubator Warehouse?
You get 2 great GUARANTEES:
1) 2 Year IncuCare Warranty
Our IncuCare Warranty enhances the Manufacturer's Warranty. If anything goes wrong within the first two years of ownership, we will make it right. We stand behind every sale we make.
2) Low Price Guarantee
If a buyer finds a better price on the same item elsewhere, we'll beat that price. Guarantee only applies to product price (excludes shipping costs). Buyer must document the better price and submit for review (website link, screenshot, advertisement, etc.) Submissions will be reviewed within 1-2 business days. Guarantee excludes auctions, used or refurbished, clearance, completed listings, or past sales/advertisements.
5) Incubation Basics
Click here to view our incubation guide
Still Need Help? Call us at 208-740-1EGG (1344)
We try to answer all phone calls, but if our representatives are busy, please leave a message and they will call you back at their earliest convenience. We can usually be reached, Mon-Thurs 8am to 5pm & Fri 8am to 3pm MST.