Pre-Season Checks for your Incubator

If you’ve recently taken your incubator out of storage, whether from last season or from a few weeks ago, there are a few important preseason checks you need to perform before setting eggs. Follow these steps to ensure a successful hatch!

• 1. Preparation & Manual Review

  We recommend rereading your user manual and getting reacquainted with the different parts of the incubator. You’d be surprised what can be forgotten in one season!

• 2. Before Plugging In: Clean & Disinfect

  It is important to thoroughly clean your incubator again as bacteria can grow in storage. Incubators are warm and wet, and if not properly cleaned, can become a breeding ground for nasty things.

  • Soak: Keep electrical parts dry, but soak all other plastic pieces in an alcohol-free disinfectant solution for one hour.
  • Scrub: After soaking, scrub the plastic parts clean. Use a soft brush for the electrical parts.
  • Check Wires: If any plugs or wires came loose during cleaning, make sure to plug them all the way back in.
  • Dry: Leave all parts separate to dry completely before reassembly.
  • Replace: Replace any tubing, evaporating papers, or blocks if they are dirty.
• 3. Inspect for Damage

  If you stored your incubator in a garage or shed, check for rodent damage on cables and wires. If damage is detected, please contact us for repairs. For incubators with a glass thermometer (TLC-30 Eco, Mini II Eco, and Maxi II Eco), check for air bubbles or splits in the liquid, which cause inaccurate readings. We can help with repairs, or you can purchase another one. If any other parts are damaged or missing, you can find replacements in our Spare Parts section or by calling us, as we carry many parts not listed online.

• 4. Plug In & Test Run

  Once your incubator is clean, dry, and assembled, you can begin the test run.

  • Monitor: Plug your incubator in and monitor the temperature and humidity (if EX) for at least an hour, though 24 hours is recommended before setting eggs. Humidity may take longer to stabilize.
  • Troubleshoot Pump: If water does not flow through the pump, check that the tubing hasn’t become stuck together. You can roll it between your fingers to loosen it up.
  • Check Settings: Ensure all settings are ideal for the eggs you are hatching.
  • Test Turner: Observe that the turner is working. You can wait for it to turn automatically or force a turn by pressing the ‘OK’ and minus buttons at the same time.