Incubator vs Hatcher: What Is the Difference?

Setter and hatcher in plain terms

The setter is the incubator most people picture. It holds the eggs for the first 18 days (for chickens), turning them automatically at about 37.5 °C and 45–55 % humidity.

The hatcher takes over for the last three days. Turning stops, humidity goes up to about 65–75 %, and the eggs lie flat in hatching baskets so the chicks can pip, zip and dry off. Hatching is messy: fluff, shell and membrane everywhere.

Do you need a separate hatcher?

No, when you hatch in batches. Most small and medium farms set a full load, run it for 21 days, clean the machine and set again. One incubator does both jobs: you stop turning and raise humidity on day 18.

Yes, when you set eggs every week. If you set new eggs weekly (staggered hatching), the setter must keep turning while older eggs hatch. Then a separate hatcher is needed, because hatching eggs need no turning and higher humidity, and hatch fluff should stay away from the setter.

Moving eggs from the incubator to the hatcher

• Move eggs on day 18 for chickens (day 25 for Pekin ducks and turkeys, day 14–15 for quail).
• Warm the hatcher to temperature and humidity a few hours before.
• Work quickly in a warm room, and candle as you go to remove clear or dead eggs.
• Lay the eggs on their sides in the hatching basket and close the lid until the hatch is done.

Hatcher hygiene

Clean and disinfect the hatcher after every hatch. Fluff and shell carry bacteria that cause navel infections and weak chicks. See why eggs don’t hatch for the other common causes of poor hatches.