Incubation Resources

If you plan to use an incubator to hatch eggs, you should read and follow the manufacturer's instructions.

The following instructions are for teachers in Lancaster County, Nebraska who are using incubators as part of the 4-H School Enrichment program.

Incubator Types for 4-H Embryology

Hova-Bator 1588	Square Styrofoam
Wooden

Printable Incubator Instructions:

• HOVA-BATOR 1588 Model (132 KB)
• Square Styrofoam Models (567 KB)
• Wooden Incubators (1,069 KB)

General Instructions

1) Location of Incubator:

• Ideal room conditions are 70-75 degrees Fahrenheit
• Place the incubator away from drafts, out of direct sunlight and placed on an inside wall.

2) Start and Regulate:

• Follow the Incubator Directions.

Teachers: If you are using the wooden or square stryofoam incubators, you must begin to calibrate them at least two weeks prior to your scheduled embryology presentation. It is absolutely necessary that the incubator be calibrated before setting the eggs.

3) Setting the Fertile Eggs:

• Place the fertile eggs in the incubator. Do not change the temperature settings. The eggs are cool and it will take a few hours to warm them up.

4) Incubating the Eggs:

*Maintain the temperature at around 102 degrees F. In general, overheating is more critical than underheating.

*When adding water to the incubators, always use warm water.

*Turn the eggs three times each day. Always turn eggs an odd number of times. Rotate eggs once a day.

*For teachers - On weekends you can turn the eggs once a day and rotate them once each day.

*At about 9:00 a.m. on Day 19, turn the eggs once and rotate them once. Follow the directions for your incubator. You may need to add warm water and/or wet sponges. Close the incubator and DO NOT OPEN until the baby chicks hatch.