Little Giant 11300 Deluxe Incubator, Digital, 41 Egg

Hatching at home starts with a steady box. The Little Giant 11300 pairs a digital control board with a built-in fan that circulates warm air around the eggs and an LCD display that shows temperature and humidity at a glance. It's made for poultry hobbyists who want a hatch they can follow without guessing.

The automatic egg turner is included and holds 41 large chicken eggs, so the eggs turn on schedule without a hand on the tray. The styrofoam body holds warmth, and the plastic mesh screen that supports the eggs through hatch is dishwasher safe.

Two viewing windows let you watch the hatch as it happens. That makes the 11300 a good pick for a classroom project or a family with kids who want to see chicks come out.

Highlights

• Digital control board with self-regulating temperature
• Built-in fan circulates warm air
• LCD display shows temperature and humidity
• Holds 41 large chicken eggs with included turner
• Two viewing windows for watching the hatch
• Dishwasher-safe mesh screen

Why a fan and digital controls matter

Eggs need steady warmth and the right humidity through incubation, and the air inside any box is never perfectly even. A built-in fan moves the air around so warm spots and cool spots even out, which is why fan-driven incubators are popular with hobby hatchers.

The digital control board adjusts the temperature to suit changing surroundings, so a warm week or a cool night in the room has less effect on the box. The built-in digital hydrometer and moisture channels help you hold humidity, and humidity is a key part of a good hatch.

It suits the backyard flock keeper who hatches once or twice a year, a teacher who wants a live science project, or a family that would rather raise chicks from eggs than buy them. The viewing windows make it a fine teaching tool.

At a glance

How to use it

Set the incubator on a level table away from drafts, heaters and direct sun. A steady room makes the controls easier to trust.

1. Plug in the incubator and let it run until it reaches the set temperature before you load any eggs.
2. Fill the moisture channels as the incubator's guide directs, and watch the humidity on the LCD.
3. Install the automatic egg turner and load it with chicken eggs.

Chicken eggs usually take about three weeks to hatch, so mark the date on the calendar. Keep opening to a minimum once hatch nears, since every peek lets warm, humid air escape.

Between hatches, wipe the inside with a mild disinfectant and empty the moisture channels so old water doesn't sit. Wash the mesh screen in the dishwasher.

Good to know

• A separate thermometer is a good cross-check on the built-in display during the first few runs.
• Pair the incubator with a brooder and a chick starter feed, so the chicks have a home and food ready when they hatch.
• Replace the mesh screen if it tears, since the eggs need solid support through the hatch.
• Keep the incubator in a clean, dry spot between seasons so the plastic and electronics stay in good shape.
• Stop turning the eggs a few days before hatch, as the incubator's guide directs, so the chicks can settle into position.

About Miller Manufacturing

Little Giant is a Miller Manufacturing brand. Miller started as a family-owned business in 1941 and makes farm and ranch products.

Set it up in early spring, before chick season gets busy.