IM Incubators

Over the 15 or so years that I have been incubating eggs and hand rearing chicks, I have used and considered many incubators and brooders. Some models have been very basic while others have had many high-tech features, but not all the incubators ‘brooded’ the eggs in the same way.  

Prior to the 2003 breeding season I decided to upgrade my incubators. As I had been using two small brooders supplied by Incubators and More as ‘first-stage brooders’ for the past couple of years, I enquired as to what types of units they may be able to supply. It was suggested that I try a new model recently added to their range and provide them with feedback throughout the season, plus a product review at the end of evaluation.

The unit acquired was the IMST70AEH, which is at the top end of the range of incubators, but at a cost appropriate for its features and construction. I consider it value for money. Taking into consideration the number of eggs incubated over a breeding season and the importance I place on some of the species incubated, it was necessary that this unit be able to provide me with security in operating stability and reliability. 

I found the overall construction reasonably robust, the finish acceptable and the success rate fine, considering the extremely poor breeding season experienced Australia-wide. So that I could monitor the workings of the incubator I removed the solid top and replaced it with clear perspex, enabling me to view how the temperature and humidity were controlled. 

The two trays are fitted with adjustable rollers and are able to hold up to 70 chicken eggs, which obviously equates to many more parrot eggs. These rollers are fitted with rubber O-rings, which prevent the eggs from creeping along the rollers as they turn over a period of time. I chose to use the bottom tray for incubating. I removed the rollers from the top tray and used this for hatching the eggs. 

A digital controller regulates the temperature. I found this to be very accurate, crosschecking it with an extra thermometer/hygrometer placed inside the unit with the eggs. A wide range of temperature adjustments are available, with the opportunity to set the high temperature alarm to your requirements. If the temperature reaches this alarm setting there is an audible alarm and the unit automatically shuts off the heat source.

Water for the supply of humidity is held in a stainless-steel tank with an external water-level indicator and fill point. This is also regulated automatically by a digital controller and may be set at whatever percentage you require. Provided you maintain water in the tank low humidity should never be a problem. However should the humidity rise too high above your desired setting, there is a safety setting with an exhaust fan to remove the excess moisture. 

I found the humidity generally worked well within my set parameters. However during one week of unusually high natural humidity, the incubator struggled to maintain the correct humidity level, even with the air-conditioner on. There was really nothing I could do about this and I considered that if I was experiencing trouble, so too were the incubating hens in the aviaries outside. 

The eggs may be turned automatically or manually, whatever you desire. I used the automatic facility which was controlled by a small manual clock-type mechanism. However, the new units are now fitted with digital controllers that are adjustable and allow you to count down from last turn to the next. This is a great idea if you want to check and watch the eggs turning. 

Should the fan cease operating for whatever reason there is also an audible fan-off alarm. Basically this takes care of all variables that may cause concern in the operation of the unit, that is of course apart from losing power.  

The basic incubator for parrot egg incubation is the 35RTA which provides one rolling tray and one hatching tray. Temperature is controlled by an electronic thermostat with a spirit thermometer. Humidity is provided by a water tray and regulated by adjusting the covers on the air vents. Automatic turning with a digital timer is standard. 

Although I have only used the smaller brooders, I found them to do all that is required of them and would assume that the larger units would provide the same qualities.

A brand-new product is a small ‘Cold Light Egg Candler’ which works very well. (A similar unit was available some years ago) This battery-operated candler produces minimal heat and has an extended wand so that eggs can be inspected in the nest without removing them.