Every year at the end of the peafowl breeding season we clean all the incubators. This is important to improve the hatch rates of your next batch of eggs. After every hatching season, an egg incubator becomes a fertile and conducive breeding ground for different types of germs and bacteria. Additionally, if bacteria is allowed to develop and grow in the incubator it could interfere significantly with the next years hatch rate.

Based on the above, it is important to ensure that an incubator is cleaned effectively before and after hatching. This will ensure that you have a much better chances of success during the next hatching.

Step One Cleaning

All debris and dust should be dry brushed out of the incubator box and trays.

Remove all loose trays and any dry matter. You then need to clean the egg trays and water containers. Discard the used humidity sponge. The trays and water containers should be soaked within warm water initially with detergent. Scrub of all dirt with a brush or scouring pad. Sometimes I have to use limescale remover on the water container.

Wipe the bottom of the incubator with a soft cloth and remove all debris. Wipe the walls of the incubator with a soft cloth.

Clean the heating element with a soft cloth and we usually vacuum the air vents to remove any dirt and dust. Ensure you do not get the heating element wet.

Do not use chemical cleaners. Some chemical cleaners will melt polystyrene, which is in some incubators. Many plastic and foam bottoms will absorb the chemicals, which may kill the embryos in the future.

Step Two Disinfecting

By now, the surfaces of the incubator should already be clean. You now need to ensure that they are clean and free from germs and in particular bacteria, fungi, and viruses.

All these germs can pose a danger to the next batch of eggs because they are able to contaminate them.

We use a specific incubator disinfectant, there a number on the market, but we use Brinsea Incubator disinfectant.

Step Three Drying

After cleaning and disinfecting the incubator, it is now time that you dry and store the incubator away safely. Ensure that you leave the incubator to dry for at least one full day so that it can dry properly. If the incubator is put away damp, the remaining moisture will corrode it.

Prior to the hatching season we totally disinfect the incubator again before setting the next seasons peacock eggs in it for hatching.

Follow these simple steps to ensure the best possible environment for your hatching eggs.