Easy Egg Incubator — Installation, Operation and Maintenance
The Easy egg incubator is designed for straightforward operation. However, egg incubation is a sensitive process that requires suitable environmental conditions, properly prepared fertilized eggs and regular monitoring of the machine.
This guide has been prepared in English from the latest Easy incubator manual supplied by CocksMachine.
Read the instructions carefully before placing eggs inside the machine.
Easy Incubator — Main Technical Specifications
The following specifications are stated in the supplied Easy incubator manual.
Factory configuration: The incubator has already been adjusted at the factory. Do not change its settings unnecessarily.
General Instructions Before Using the Incubator
- Run the incubator for one or two days before placing eggs inside to confirm that every component is functioning correctly.
- If you have limited incubation experience, do not begin with expensive fertilized eggs. Start with a small number of inexpensive eggs.
- Do not place the incubator outdoors, under direct sunlight or in an area exposed to wind.
- Maintain the room temperature between 23°C and 27°C. Operating outside this range may significantly reduce incubation performance.
- Keep the incubator away from direct cold or hot airflow produced by air conditioners and heaters.
- Avoid enclosed spaces without adequate ventilation.
- Fresh-air openings are located underneath the incubator. Do not place the machine on carpets, rugs or floor coverings that could block these openings.
- Never block the ventilation opening on the roof of the incubator.
- The recommended relative humidity of the room is 50–55%.
- The maximum room-temperature fluctuation stated in the manual is 4°C. Greater fluctuations may cause thermal shock to the developing embryos.
- Monitor differences between daytime and nighttime temperatures.
Critical ventilation warning: Never obstruct the air openings below or above the incubator. Proper airflow is essential throughout the incubation cycle.
Important hatching warning: During the final three days of incubation, particularly after the first chicks hatch, do not open the machine door except under emergency conditions.
Do not interfere with the electronic systems of the incubator. The device settings have been configured at the factory.
Three Factors That Determine Incubation Success
The original manual identifies three main factors affecting incubation results:
- The egg incubator itself
- The quality of the fertilized eggs
- The knowledge and experience of the operator
Fresh, healthy fertilized eggs and careful operation are essential, even when a high-quality incubator is used.
Selecting and Storing Fertilized Eggs
- Do not use old eggs for incubation. The maximum recommended storage period in the manual is 7 days, provided suitable storage conditions are maintained.
- Never store fertilized eggs in a refrigerator.
- The manual recommends storing eggs in a dark environment at approximately 18°C and 55% relative humidity.
- Before transferring eggs into the incubator, keep them for several hours in a warmer environment of approximately 25°C to reduce temperature shock.
- Position eggs with their pointed ends facing downward.
- Do not wash fertilized eggs. Clean them gently with a dry brush or toothbrush.
- Do not select excessively large, excessively small or abnormally shaped eggs.
Egg placement: The pointed end of each egg should face downward when placed in the egg-turning system.
Understanding the Incubation Process
According to the manual, incubation consists of two main stages: the Setter Stage and the Hatching Stage.
Setter Stage
During the setter stage, fertilized eggs remain in the automatic turning system. The embryo develops inside the egg while the eggs are periodically turned.
For chicken eggs, this stage lasts approximately 18 days.
- Setter-stage temperature: 37.7°C
- Recommended relative humidity: 55–65%
- Eggs remain in the automatic turning system throughout the setter stage.
Hatching Stage
During the hatching stage, the embryo has completed its development and egg turning is no longer necessary.
The eggs must be transferred from the turning system to the hatching baskets.
For chicken eggs, the manual describes a hatching stage of approximately 3 days.
Egg Candling — Checking Embryo Development
Egg candling is performed by shining a light through the egg to check for embryo development.
The manual instructs operators to perform candling on the 7th and 14th days of incubation.
Important Conditions for Candling
- Perform candling in a dark room.
- Keep the room warm to avoid thermal shock to the embryo.
- Avoid excessive movement or shaking of the eggs.
- Complete the candling procedure as quickly as practical.
- Remove transparent eggs that show no embryo development, as instructed in the manual.
Candling on Day 7
During candling on the seventh day, developing eggs should show dark lines corresponding to blood vessels.
Candling on Day 14
By the fourteenth day, approximately two-thirds of the interior of a developing egg should appear dark.
If an egg remains completely transparent, the manual indicates that embryo development has not occurred.
Important: The manual instructs operators to remove infertile eggs during candling to reduce the risk of contamination affecting other eggs.
After each incubation cycle, the manual recommends examining unhatched eggs to determine why hatching did not occur.
Easy Incubator Components and Their Functions
1. Machine Body
The original manual describes the machine body as being constructed from double-layer PVC with a 3 cm insulation layer inside the body.
2. Digital Temperature and Humidity Controllers
The machine is equipped with two digital controllers:
- One digital temperature controller, with a resolution of 0.1°C.
- One digital humidity controller, with a resolution of 1%.
When the temperature is below the configured value, the green thermostat indicator light remains on while the heater is operating.
When the configured temperature is reached, the thermostat indicator light turns off.
Factory settings: The controllers have already been configured at the factory. Do not modify their settings unnecessarily.
3. Air Circulation Fan
The fan must operate continuously. Check its operation daily and make sure that its speed has not decreased.
After each incubation cycle, clean the fan and lubricate it with a suitable lubricating spray, as instructed in the manual.
A reduced fan speed can prevent adequate airflow and may cause developing embryos to suffocate.
4. Power Supply and Battery Connection
The Easy incubator manual specifies a 12-amp power supply and a connection system for using a vehicle battery during a power outage.
- Connect the red battery clamp to the positive (+) terminal.
- Connect the black battery clamp to the negative (−) terminal.
- According to the manual, the power supply charges the battery when mains electricity is available.
Battery connection warning: If the battery clamps touch each other or are connected with reversed polarity, the battery cable fuse may blow.
Do not use a worn-out or defective battery. Check polarity and the original wiring arrangement before connecting a battery.
Fuse specification: The manual specifies a 20-amp fuse and states that a spare fuse is included in the package.
5. Humidifier
When the measured humidity is lower than the configured value, the humidifier indicator light turns on and the humidifier operates.
- Use distilled water to help extend the service life of the humidifier.
- Maintain the water level above the humidifier's metal sensor.
- If the water level is below the sensor, the humidifier will not start.
- Add water approximately every 2–3 days, as stated in the component instructions.
6. Egg Candler
The egg candler is used to inspect fertilized eggs on the seventh and fourteenth days of incubation.
7. Automatic Egg Turning System
The incubator includes three different types of egg cups for different bird species.
The manual refers users to an instructional video for the procedure for changing the egg cups.
The turning mechanism moves very slowly. Its movement may not be visible to the eye.
To check whether the motor is operating, the manual instructs the user to place a hand on the motor and feel for warmth and vibration.
Three Independent Turning Levels
The Easy incubator described in this manual contains three levels.
Each level has an independent egg-turning motor.
Every motor has an indicator light that illuminates when electrical power is supplied to the motor.
Motor connector positioning: Connect each motor plug to its designated socket. Make sure the connector is inserted securely.
8. Water Reservoir
The water reservoir at the bottom of the incubator can be washed and replaced easily.
Step-by-Step Installation and Startup
Complete the following checks before beginning an incubation cycle.
- Select the appropriate egg cups for the eggs being incubated and place them on the turning mechanisms.
- Connect the motor plugs to their designated sockets.
- Fill the bottom water reservoir until the water level rises above the humidifier's metal sensor.
- Connect the incubator power supply and switch the machine on.
- Confirm that both digital controllers are illuminated.
- Confirm that all three motor indicator lights are illuminated.
- Confirm that the fan indicator light is on and the fan is operating.
- If the humidity is below 60%, confirm that the humidifier indicator light is on and the humidifier is operating.
- Leave the incubator running for one day before introducing eggs, to confirm correct operation of all components.
- After the test period, place the eggs into the turning system with their pointed ends facing downward.
Operating conditions stated in the startup section:
- Internal temperature: 37.5–37.7°C
- Relative humidity: 55–65%
- If humidity is below 60%, the humidifier should be operating during the startup check.
Do not change the factory controller settings. The original manual states that the incubator is configured before delivery.
Daily Operation During the Setter Stage
- Monitor the two digital controllers regularly.
- Check that the fan is operating continuously.
- Check the three motor indicator lights.
- Ensure that the egg-turning system continues to operate.
- Keep the humidifier's water reservoir supplied.
- The startup section instructs operators to add water every two days during the 18-day setter period.
- Perform egg candling on days 7 and 14, following the precautions described earlier.
- Do not block the ventilation openings or expose the incubator to significant room-temperature fluctuations.
Hatching Procedure — Day 18
The original manual instructs users to begin the hatching procedure on the 18th day when incubating chicken eggs.
- Remove the egg-turning mechanisms from the incubator.
- Carefully transfer the eggs to the hatching baskets.
- Perform the transfer in a warm room to avoid temperature shock.
- Add sufficient water to the reservoir so that opening the door to add water will not be necessary during the following days.
- Close the incubator door.
- Avoid opening the door during the final three days, except under emergency conditions.
Hatching warning: Opening the incubator unnecessarily during hatching may expose developing chicks to unsuitable conditions.
Removing Newly Hatched Chicks
The manual advises limiting door opening and describes removing chicks on the second and fourth days of the hatching period.
Source clarification: The same manual describes the standard chicken hatching stage as three days and instructs users not to open the door during the final three days, except in emergencies. It also mentions removing chicks on the second and fourth hatching days. These original instructions are reproduced without silently reconciling their timing.
Controlling Excess Humidity During Hatching
As chicks begin to hatch, the humidity inside the incubator may increase.
According to the manual, the roof ventilation openings can be opened to allow excess humidity to escape.
Extended Hatching Period
The manual notes that some chicks may continue hatching until day 25.
Drying Newly Hatched Chicks
The manual states that chicks may remain in the incubator for up to 48 hours while drying.
During this period, chicks use the remaining yolk reserves.
Cleaning and Maintenance After Incubation
- Check the air openings in front of the fan and on the incubator roof.
- Remove any chick down or debris that may be blocking ventilation.
- The manual explains that blocked lower openings can prevent fresh air from entering the machine.
- Blocked upper openings may prevent used air from escaping.
- Clean the fan thoroughly after each incubation cycle.
- Lubricate the fan using the lubricating spray specified in the manual.
- Clean the removable water reservoir.
- Do not use chemical cleaning products on the incubator, as instructed in the original manual.
- Confirm that the humidifier, egg-turning motors and digital controllers are operating before beginning a new cycle.
Ventilation: Chick down can obstruct air pathways. Always confirm that air can enter and leave the incubator freely before starting the next incubation cycle.
Incubation Periods for Different Bird Species
The following figures are translated directly from the incubation-period table on the final page of the supplied Easy incubator manual.
| Bird Species | Incubation Period (Days) |
|---|---|
| Chicken | 21 |
| Peacock | 28 |
| Ostrich | 42 |
| Goose | 28–31 |
| Swan | 30 |
| Pigeon | 16–18 |
| Pheasant | 20–24 |
| Quail | 17–18 |
| Partridge | 23–25 |
Important: The incubation periods above are taken from the original Easy manual. The chicken-specific setter and hatching instructions should not automatically be applied unchanged to every bird species.
Easy Incubator — Final Operating Checklist
Before starting a new incubation cycle, confirm the following:
- The room temperature is within the recommended 23–27°C range.
- Room humidity and ventilation are suitable.
- The incubator has been tested for at least one full day.
- Both digital controllers are operating.
- All three egg-turning motors have their indicator lights on.
- The fan operates continuously.
- The water reservoir contains sufficient water.
- The humidifier operates when required.
- The eggs have been stored and positioned correctly.
- The machine settings remain at their factory-configured values.
- Candling is scheduled for days 7 and 14.
- The hatching baskets are ready before day 18.
- The ventilation channels and fan are clean.
CocksMachine — Easy Egg Incubator User Guide