Finished incubating for the season? Need some handy tips on preparing your incubator for storage?
Your incubator should be cleaned immediately after your hatch is complete. As incubators are warm and wet they are ideal breeding grounds for bacteria and if they have been left with debris from the last hatch they will harbor germs which are highly likely to damage your next hatch.
- After removing any old shells, fluff and dirt, it is best to soak non-electrical parts like egg trays in a disinfectant solution for an hour before scrubbing clean. Do not use the dishwasher!
- Clean around heaters and fans with a brush or slightly damp cloth using the same disinfectant solution. Be very careful not to let water get near any electrical parts including motors, heaters and control housings.
- Use Brinsea Incubation Disinfectant which is both powerful and safe and has been specially formulated to kill bacteria and fungi associated with birds and is available online.
- Clean the disinfectant off and leave the incubator parts to dry thoroughly. If they are properly clean they should no longer have a strong odor. If stored wet corrosion can damage circuit boards and other components.
- Don’t forget to clean any extra parts or equipment you used too.
- Once you have cleaned and dried your incubator reassemble it then ensure you run it for 24 hours before storing. It should be kept in a protective carton or box in a cool dry location where it won’t get jostled or knocked over.
Don’t forget to order any spare parts or consumables, such as evaporating paper, replacement filters, silicone tubing for humidity pumps and more disinfectant ready for your next hatch :)
