This month

Egg incubators and hatching supplies

Egg incubators, turners, candlers and hygrometers for chickens, ducks and quail, compared by the specs the makers list: capacity, airflow, turning and humidity control.

Best egg incubatorsFor beginnersEgg candlersIncubation calculatorDay-by-day guide
Hatching eggs set in wire trays ready to load into an incubator
Photo: USDAgov, Public domain, via Flickr
Narrow by situation64 products
Incubation calculator by speciesPick a species and the day you set the eggs: get candling days, the stop-turning (lockdown) day and the…Printable hatch logKeep a hatch log in your browser: set date, species, eggs set, daily temperature, humidity, turning and…

How to choose an egg incubator

An egg incubator has one job: hold steady heat and humidity for 21 days for chicken eggs, 28 for most ducks and turkeys, and about 17 for coturnix quail (Mississippi State Extension). Four specs decide how much of that work you do yourself: airflow, turning, humidity control and capacity by egg size.

  • Forced air vs still air. A fan (forced or circulated air) keeps the temperature even across the tray. Still-air models run 2–3°F warmer, measured at the top of the eggs, so read the manual closely.
  • Turning. An automatic turner with auto-stop (Brinsea Advance, Nurture Right 360) quits on its own before lockdown. Without auto-stop, you remove eggs or switch it off around day 18 for chickens.
  • Humidity. Most incubators take a manual water top-up. EX models from Brinsea pump water to a set %RH. Either way, check with a separate hygrometer.
  • Capacity. Listings quote chicken eggs. Duck and goose eggs take more room, and quail need small-egg rails or inserts.

Incubation by species: forced-air settings, with the still-air offset

SpeciesDays to hatchForced-air tempStill-air tempWet-bulb, days 1 to lockdown → last 3 daysRelative humidityStop turning (day)
Chicken21100°F (37.8°C)102–103°F85–87°F → 90°F45–50% → 65% or more18
Duck (most breeds)28100°F (37.8°C)102–103°F85–86°F → 90°F55–60% → 70% or more25
Muscovy duck35–37100°F (37.8°C)102–103°F85–86°F → 90°F58–60% → 65% or more31
Coturnix quail17100°F (37.8°C)102–103°F85–86°F → 90°F40–50% → 65% or more15
Bobwhite quail23–24100°F (37.8°C)102–103°F84–87°F → 90°F40–50% → 65% or more20
Turkey2899°F (37.2°C)101–102°F84–86°F → 90°F58–60% → 65% or more25
Goose28–3499°F (37.2°C)101–102°F86–88°F → 90°F58–60% → 65% or more25
Guinea fowl28100°F (37.8°C)102–103°F85–87°F → 90°F58–60% → 65% or more25
Pheasant23–28100°F (37.8°C)102–103°F86–88°F → 92°F58–60% → 65% or more21
Peafowl28–3099°F (37.2°C)101–102°F84–86°F → 90°F58–60% → 65% or more25
Chukar partridge23–24100°F (37.8°C)102–103°F81–83°F → 90°F58–60% → 65% or more20

Days, temperatures, wet-bulb and stop-turning days: Mississippi State University Extension, Important Incubation Factors. Still-air: add 2–3°F, measured at the top of the eggs (MSU). Relative humidity: Brinsea, Humidity during incubation for chickens, ducks and quail; other species show MSU's general 58–60%. Follow your incubator's manual first.

Incubation calculator by speciesEnter the species and set date to get candling days, lockdown and the hatch window, with a calendar file.

Candlers, turners and hygrometers

Candling at about day 7 and day 14 (4-H) shows which eggs are developing. A standard LED candler is fine for white and light brown shells; dark Marans or speckled quail eggs need a brighter light. Read the candling guide before your first check.

Foam incubators such as the Little Giant 9300, Farm Innovators 2100 and GQF 1602N can take an add-on turner. Match the turner to the model; the listing says which incubators each one fits. A calibrated hygrometer such as the Inkbird ITH-10 lets you double-check the built-in display, which can drift.

Before you set eggs

Run the incubator empty for 24 hours in a room away from windows and drafts, and follow the manual's settings first. Plan where the chicks will go on hatch day: a brooder with a heat plate should be ready before lockdown. See chicks and brooding and the printable hatch log.

Hatching means handling chicksSalmonella can spread from eggs, chicks and incubator surfaces. Wash hands after touching them, keep the setup away from where food is made, and children under 5 should not handle chicks (CDC).Source: CDC Healthy Pets

Read before you buy

Best of

Best egg incubators for chickens, ducks and quail (2026)

Best egg incubators compared by listed specs: egg capacity, forced air, auto turning with lockdown stop and humidity…

Best of

Best incubator for beginners: easy first hatches (2026)

Best incubator for beginners, picked by listed specs: automatic turning that stops for lockdown, forced air, outside…

Best of

Best quail incubators for coturnix and bobwhite eggs (2026)

Best quail incubators compared by listed small-egg capacity, quail trays or rails, turning and humidity, for coturnix…

Best of

Best incubators for duck eggs, by large-egg capacity (2026)

Best incubators for duck eggs compared by listed large-egg capacity, tray fit, turning and humidity, with MSU and…

Best of

Best egg candlers for light, dark and quail eggs (2026)

Best egg candlers compared by listed light, power and egg fit: high-intensity LEDs for dark or speckled shells,…

Best of

Best automatic egg turners and quail rails (2026)

Best automatic egg turners compared by listed capacity, turning cycle and incubator fit, plus quail rails and trays…

Incubation & hatching: questions

What is the best egg incubator for beginners?
Look for forced air, an automatic turner that stops on its own, and a clear temperature display. The Nurture Right 360 and Brinsea Mini II Advance both list those features; see best incubators for beginners.
Forced air or still air: which is easier?
Forced air holds a more even temperature, so most first-timers find it easier. Still-air incubators work, but the temperature is measured at egg-top height and runs 2–3°F higher (Mississippi State Extension).
Do I need a separate hygrometer?
It helps. Built-in sensors can be off by a few percent, and a second reading tells you whether to add or remove water.
Can one incubator hatch chicken, duck and quail eggs?
Usually, with the right inserts or rails and the right settings for each species. Ducks need 28 days and more humidity, quail about 17. The incubation chart lists each species.
Where do I get hatching eggs?
From hatcheries, local breeders and feed stores. We never link hatching eggs or live birds.