Quick answer: For a first hatch, choose an incubator with automatic egg turning and a humidity display. The MATICOOPX 20 egg incubator ticks every box and has thousands of ratings. If you want a classic, the Nurture Right 360 by Harris Farms is a favorite with schools and families. Chicken eggs take 21 days to hatch.
How we picked: we compared specifications and buyer reviews on Amazon.com and looked for recurring problems. We have not tested every product in person.
Hatching chicks at home is one of the most rewarding parts of keeping chickens, and kids love it. A good incubator does the hard work: it keeps the temperature steady, turns the eggs and lets you control humidity. Here are the models we would choose for a first hatch.
At a glance
| Product | Best for | |
|---|---|---|
| MATICOOPX 20 Egg Incubator | Best overall | Check on Amazon |
| Harris Farms Nurture Right 360 | Classic favorite | Check on Amazon |
| MATICOOPX 30 Egg Incubator | For bigger hatches | Check on Amazon |
| 18 Egg Incubator with Automatic Turning | Best value | Check on Amazon |
The best egg incubators for beginners
MATICOOPX 20 Egg Incubator
A 20-egg incubator with automatic turning, a humidity display and an egg candler included. Thousands of ratings make it one of the most trusted on Amazon.
- Thousands of ratings
- Auto turning + humidity display
- Candler included
- Add water carefully to avoid spills
Harris Farms Nurture Right 360
A popular incubator with a 360° view of the eggs and an automatic turner. Thousands of ratings and great for watching the hatch with kids.
- Thousands of ratings
- 360° view
- Auto turner
- Smaller capacity
MATICOOPX 30 Egg Incubator
The 30-egg version of our top pick, for keepers who want to hatch more chicks at once.
- 30-egg capacity
- Same proven design
- Candler included
- Higher price
18 Egg Incubator with Automatic Turning
A budget-friendly incubator with automatic turning and hundreds of ratings.
- Affordable
- Auto turning
- Hundreds of ratings
- Basic humidity control
Incubation basics
| Setting | Days 1-18 | Days 19-21 (lockdown) |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 99.5°F (37.5°C) | 99.5°F |
| Humidity | 45-50% | 65-70% |
| Turning | Several times a day (automatic) | Stop turning |
At day 18, stop turning and raise the humidity. This is called lockdown. Do not open the incubator until the chicks have hatched and dried.
Tips for your first hatch
- Run the incubator empty for 24 hours to check the temperature before adding eggs.
- Use fresh, clean fertile eggs, stored pointy end down for no more than 7 days.
- Candle the eggs around day 7 and day 14 to remove the ones that are not developing.
- Keep the incubator in a room with a steady temperature, away from windows and drafts.
- Have a brooder with a heater plate ready before hatch day.
👉 After the hatch: best brooder heater plates and how much space your chickens will need.
FAQ
How long does it take a chicken egg to hatch?
About 21 days at 99.5°F. Some chicks hatch a day early or late.
What is the best incubator for beginners?
An incubator with automatic turning and a humidity display, like the MATICOOPX 20, makes the first hatch much easier.
Can I use eggs from the grocery store?
No. Supermarket eggs are almost always unfertilized. You need fertile hatching eggs from a farm or breeder.
What hatch rate is normal?
For home incubators, 60-80% is a good result with fresh fertile eggs. Shipped eggs often hatch less.