Layer Base Egg Incubator — Installation, Operation and Maintenance
Operating the Layer Base incubator is straightforward, but successful egg incubation depends on correct preparation, suitable room conditions, proper installation and regular monitoring.
This guide is translated from the supplied 20-page Layer Base manual and covers fan-speed selection, water connections, digital controllers, egg preparation, incubation stages and routine maintenance.
Read all instructions carefully before placing fertilized eggs inside the machine.
Layer Base — Main Operating Specifications
Critical Instructions Before Operation
The fan must run continuously during incubation. Check it every day and make sure it operates correctly.
Incorrect fan speed may dry the eggshells and cause chicks to suffocate.
Do not open the incubator during the final three days of incubation, especially after chicks begin to emerge.
Factory settings: Do not change the incubator's settings except when necessary in an emergency.
Humidifier warranty: According to the manual, the humidifier is excluded from warranty coverage because water hardness differs between regions.
Correct Fan Speed for Different Basket Quantities
The Layer Base manual specifies three fan-switch positions, depending on how many baskets are being used.
| Baskets in Use | Fan Switch Position |
|---|---|
| 1 basket | I |
| 2 or 3 baskets | O |
| 4 or 5 baskets | II |
Follow the specified fan-speed positions. The manual warns that using an unsuitable fan speed can dry the eggshells and cause chicks to suffocate.
Choosing the Correct Installation Environment
- Do not install the machine outdoors, in direct sunlight or in an area exposed to wind.
- Do not position it directly in front of hot or cold air from air conditioners and heating systems.
- Avoid enclosed areas with insufficient ventilation.
- Keep ventilation openings on and around the machine unobstructed.
- The general instructions recommend an ambient relative humidity of 50–55%.
- Avoid room-temperature fluctuations greater than 4°C.
- Monitor nighttime temperatures, which may fall significantly below daytime values.
- The opening section recommends using an external thermometer to confirm the room temperature.
What Condensation Behind the Tray Glass Means
The manual states that condensation appearing behind the glass of the trays may indicate that cold air is entering the machine because the baskets are not correctly positioned.
Check the basket installation. Make sure all baskets are correctly aligned and securely seated.
Ignoring these installation and environmental requirements may significantly reduce incubation performance.
Preparing the Incubator Before Loading Eggs
- Run the machine for 1–2 days before placing eggs inside to verify that all components work correctly.
- If you have limited incubation experience, begin with inexpensive eggs rather than valuable eggs.
- Check the fan and turning mechanisms.
- Check the digital controllers and their indicator lights.
- Inspect the water supply, float and connections.
- Confirm that the baskets are properly positioned.
Three Factors Affecting Hatching Results
The manual identifies three main factors:
- The egg incubator
- The fertilized eggs
- The operator
The quality of the machine alone cannot guarantee successful incubation. Egg quality and careful operation are also important.
Selecting and Storing Fertilized Eggs
- Do not use old eggs. The maximum storage period stated in the manual is 7 days.
- Do not store fertilized eggs in a refrigerator.
- Store the eggs in a dark place at approximately 18°C and 55% relative humidity.
- Before loading eggs, keep them for several hours in a warmer environment of approximately 25°C to reduce temperature shock.
- Place the eggs upright with their pointed ends facing downward.
- Do not wash the eggs. Clean them using a dry brush.
- Avoid eggs that are unusually large, unusually small or irregularly shaped.
Egg orientation: Keep the pointed end of each egg facing downward in the turning system.
Understanding the Setter and Hatching Stages
Incubation is divided into two main stages: Setter and Hatching.
Setter Stage
During the setter stage, eggs remain in the turning cups or trays. The embryos develop while the eggs are turned.
The source recommends:
- Temperature: 37.7°C
- Relative humidity: 55–65%
- Keep the eggs in the turning system during the setter stage.
Hatching Stage
During the hatching stage, the embryo has developed and egg turning is no longer required.
The manual describes a three-day hatching period for chicken eggs.
- Carefully remove the eggs and place them temporarily in a separate container.
- Remove the turning cups or trays from the machine.
- Place the eggs on the hatching mesh at the bottom of the incubator.
- Close the incubator door.
Do not open the door unnecessarily during the final three days, especially once chicks begin hatching.
Egg Candling — Days 7 and 14
Candling is used to identify fertilized eggs and monitor embryo development.
Conditions for Candling
- Perform candling in a dark room.
- Use a warm room to avoid exposing embryos to temperature shock.
- Do not shake the eggs strongly.
- Complete the procedure as quickly as practical.
- Remove transparent eggs that show no signs of embryo development, as instructed in the manual.
Candling on Day 7
When candling eggs on the seventh night, the manual describes visible blood vessels and dark spots inside developing eggs.
It instructs operators to remove transparent eggs showing no visible development.
Candling on Day 14
On the fourteenth night, most of the inside of a developing egg should appear dark.
The manual again instructs operators to remove transparent eggs that show no development.
After each incubation cycle, the manual recommends examining unhatched eggs to identify possible causes of failure.
Layer Base — Main Machine Components
1. ABS Body and Insulation
The machine body is described as ABS with a 3 mm insulating layer.
2. Digital Controllers
- One digital temperature controller with a resolution of 0.1°C.
- One digital humidity controller with a resolution of 1%.
Thermostat Indicator
When the temperature is lower than the configured value, the thermostat's red indicator light turns on.
When the temperature reaches the configured value, the red indicator light turns off.
Factory configuration: Do not modify the controllers unnecessarily. The original settings were adjusted at the factory.
3. Egg Turning Gearbox
The red signal lights indicate gearbox operation.
Turning motion may be too slow to observe easily with the eye.
The manual advises checking for warmth and vibration to confirm that the gearbox is operating.
4. Water Container and Float
- Position the water container on a flat surface.
- Keep the water hose away from direct sunlight.
- Check that the float operates correctly before stacking the baskets.
- Do not change the float settings except in emergencies.
- The water inlet valve does not need to be fully opened.
Installing the Water Connections
The original manual contains photographs illustrating the water connection process.
- Place the water container on a flat surface.
- Check that the float is correctly positioned and operates properly.
- Keep the water hose away from direct sunlight.
- Install the connections according to the original photographs and diagrams.
- Do not fully open the water inlet valve unless necessary.
Use the original connection photographs. The water-line assembly is illustrated in the source manual. This written summary does not replace those installation photographs.
Step-by-Step Installation and Startup
Follow the source manual's installation instructions before starting an incubation cycle.
- Stack the baskets in the correct order.
- Connect the wires for the turning motors and humidifier.
- Confirm that the baskets are securely positioned on top of one another.
- Connect the incubator to its power supply.
- Check that all digital controllers are illuminated.
- Check that all turning-motor indicator lights are illuminated.
- Confirm that the red heater indicator is on when heating is required.
- Confirm that the fan is operating correctly.
- After completing the required pre-operation checks, position the eggs upright with their pointed ends downward.
- Close the incubator and check that the baskets and door are properly seated.
Internal conditions specified in the installation section:
- Temperature: 37.5–37.7°C
- Relative humidity: 55–65%
Before loading eggs: The manual recommends operating the incubator for 1–2 days to verify that every component functions correctly.
Daily Checks During Incubation
- Confirm that the fan runs continuously.
- Check the fan-speed switch position against the number of baskets being used.
- Confirm that the temperature and humidity controllers operate normally.
- Inspect the red turning-motor indicator lights.
- Monitor the water supply and float.
- Make sure the baskets remain securely positioned.
- Watch for condensation behind the tray glass.
- Monitor room temperatures, particularly at night.
- Keep ventilation openings unobstructed.
- Perform egg candling on the seventh and fourteenth nights.
Fan-speed warning: Incorrect fan settings may dry eggshells and reduce hatching performance.
Temperature and Humidity Controller Settings
The incubator is configured at the factory. Do not change its settings unless adjustment is necessary.
Humidity Controller Adjustment
- Press and hold the SET button for a few seconds.
- Adjust the humidity value using the ▲ and ▼ buttons.
- Press SET to save the setting and exit.
Chicken egg humidity setting stated in the source: 65%
Temperature Controller Adjustment
- Press and hold SET for a few seconds.
- Adjust the third digit using the ▼ button.
- Press ▲, then adjust the middle digit using ▼.
- Press ▲ again and adjust the first digit.
- Press SET to save and exit.
Chicken egg temperature setting stated in the source: 37.5°C
Incubation Periods for Different Birds
The following incubation periods are translated from the table on the final page of the supplied Layer Base manual.
| Bird Species | Incubation Period |
|---|---|
| Chicken | 21 days |
| Peacock | 28 days |
| Ostrich | 42 days |
| Goose | 28–31 days |
| Swan | 30 days |
| Pigeon | 16–18 days |
| Pheasant | 20–24 days |
| Quail | 17–18 days |
| Partridge | 23–25 days |
Species differences: Incubation durations vary between birds. The chicken hatching schedule should not automatically be applied unchanged to every species.
Routine Maintenance and Precautions
- Check the fan every day.
- Use the correct fan-speed setting for the number of baskets.
- Ensure the egg-turning gearbox operates correctly.
- Keep the water system and float functioning properly.
- Keep ventilation openings clear.
- Make sure the water hose is not exposed to direct sunlight.
- Avoid changing controller and float settings unnecessarily.
- Do not use chemical cleaning products, according to the manual.
- Examine unhatched eggs after each cycle to investigate possible causes of failure.
Layer Base — Final Operating Checklist
Before beginning an incubation cycle, verify the following:
- The room environment has been checked against the manufacturer's instructions.
- The machine has been tested for 1–2 days.
- The fan operates continuously.
- The fan-speed setting matches the number of baskets.
- Baskets are correctly positioned and secured.
- The digital temperature and humidity controllers operate correctly.
- The turning-motor indicator lights are functioning.
- The water container and float have been checked.
- Water connections follow the original installation diagrams.
- Fertilized eggs have been selected, stored and positioned correctly.
- Controller settings have been verified without unnecessary changes.
- Egg candling is planned for days 7 and 14.
- Hatching baskets are available for the final stage.
- Ventilation openings remain unobstructed.
CocksMachine — Layer Base Egg Incubator User Guide