Mini Cocks Egg Incubator — Installation, Operation and Maintenance
This guide covers the specific features of the Mini Cocks incubator, including its manual egg-turning lever, 12V power adapter, digital thermostat, fan installation, humidity indicator, water reservoir, sponge and hatching basket.
For general incubation principles, egg selection, storage, candling and incubation periods, refer to the General Support guide.
Mini Cocks — Technical Specifications
Important Mini Cocks feature: Egg turning is performed manually. Operate the turning lever twice per day: once in the morning and once in the afternoon.
Do not assume that this incubator turns its eggs automatically.
Mini Cocks — Main Components
1. ABS Machine Body
The Mini Cocks incubator body is made of ABS, according to the original manual.
2. Digital Temperature Controller
The incubator uses a digital thermostat with a resolution of 0.1°C.
Factory settings: The thermostat has been adjusted before delivery. Do not alter its settings unnecessarily.
3. Air Circulation Fan
The Mini Cocks incubator includes an air circulation fan. Its operation should be checked regularly.
Replacement fan direction: If the fan is replaced, install the new fan so that it blows air upward, as specified in the Mini Cocks manual.
4. Heating Element
The Mini Cocks includes a heating element that operates together with its digital temperature-control system.
5. Power Adapter
The specified power adapter is 12 volts, 2 amperes.
6. Humidity Indicator
The incubator includes a humidity gauge. Its normal humidity range is indicated in green.
Use the supplied humidity indicator to monitor the conditions inside the Mini Cocks incubator.
7. Egg Candler
The Mini Cocks includes an egg candler for examining embryo development. The general candling procedure is covered in General Support.
8. Water Reservoir and Sponge
The reservoir contains a sponge that helps increase humidity inside the machine.
The supplied filling container allows water to be added without removing the egg-turning mechanism.
Add water approximately every three days, as specified in the source manual.
Water refilling: Use the filling arrangement supplied with the Mini Cocks incubator. The turning mechanism does not need to be removed just to add water.
9. Hatching Basket
The Mini Cocks includes a separate hatching basket for the final stage of chicken egg incubation.
After removing the turning mechanism, position the hatching basket in its place and arrange the eggs on it.
Manual Egg Turning — Morning and Afternoon
Mini Cocks requires manual egg turning.
Turn the lever twice each day: once in the morning and once in the afternoon.
- Locate the egg-turning lever on the machine.
- Move the lever to the left or right, following the turning mechanism's movement.
- Perform this operation once in the morning.
- Repeat the operation once in the afternoon.
- Continue manual turning throughout the setter stage.
- Stop turning when the eggs are transferred to the hatching basket.
Clarification from the source: The original manual also mentions checking a motor for warmth and vibration because its movement may not be visible. That statement does not replace the explicit Mini Cocks instruction to operate the manual turning lever twice per day.
Mini Cocks — Installation and Startup
Follow this installation sequence for the Mini Cocks model.
- Add water to the reservoir.
- Connect the wire to the incubator body, as illustrated in the original manual.
- Connect the 12V / 2A adapter to the incubator.
- Connect the adapter to the electrical supply.
- Allow the machine to run for one full day before loading eggs.
- Confirm that the fan is operating properly.
- Check that the digital thermostat is powered on.
- Place the eggs on the turning mechanism with their pointed ends facing downward.
- Close the incubator lid completely.
- Check that the lid is seated securely and air does not leak through the corners.
Operating conditions stated in the Mini Cocks startup section:
- Internal temperature: 37.5–37.7°C.
- Relative humidity: 55–65%.
Factory configuration: The thermostat is already configured. Avoid unnecessary changes.
Mini Cocks — Daily Equipment Checks
- Check that the digital thermostat operates correctly.
- Verify that the air circulation fan operates properly.
- Turn the egg-turning lever twice daily: morning and afternoon.
- Check the water reservoir and sponge.
- Add water approximately every three days.
- Monitor the supplied humidity indicator.
- Confirm that the incubator lid remains properly closed.
Mini Cocks — Hatching Basket Installation
The original Mini Cocks manual describes transferring chicken eggs to the hatching basket on approximately day 18.
- Remove the egg-turning mechanism from the incubator.
- Add sufficient water to the reservoir to reduce the need for refilling during the following days.
- Position the hatching basket over the water reservoir.
- Gently transfer the eggs to the hatching basket.
- Close the incubator lid.
- Reconnect the incubator to the electrical supply, as described in the source manual.
Turning mechanism: The turning assembly must be removed when the Mini Cocks hatching basket is installed.
General hatching precautions, chick removal and drying are covered in General Support.
Mini Cocks — Component Maintenance
- Inspect the manual turning lever and mechanism.
- Verify that the air circulation fan works properly.
- If the fan is replaced, ensure the new fan blows upward.
- Check the heating element and temperature controller for proper operation.
- Inspect the 12V / 2A adapter and electrical connection.
- Keep the water reservoir, sponge and filling arrangement in good condition.
- Confirm that the lid closes properly and its ventilation opening is clear.
Mini Cocks — Final Operating Checklist
Before starting this machine, verify the following model-specific items:
- The 12V / 2A adapter is correctly connected.
- The digital thermostat is operating normally.
- The air circulation fan is working.
- Water has been added to the reservoir.
- The sponge and water-filling arrangement are ready.
- The manual turning lever is accessible and operational.
- Manual egg turning is scheduled twice daily.
- The lid closes securely.
- The hatching basket is available for the appropriate transfer day.
- The lid ventilation opening is unobstructed.
For general incubation principles, environmental conditions, fertilized egg selection and storage, candling, hatching precautions and incubation periods for different birds, refer to General Support.
CocksMachine — Mini Cocks Egg Incubator User Guide