Egg prices were through the roof, and we only had 14 hens. I couldn’t stop thinking about it. If we were going to build a sustainable egg-selling operation, we had to scale up — fast. Cue the Brinsea Ovation 56EX!

Our old incubator technically worked, but the 75% hatch rate left a lot to be desired, and the constant maintenance was a pain. Then I found the Brinsea Ovation 56 EX on Chewy, of all places, for an absolute steal.

At the time, 56 eggs sounded insane… now we’re considering buying two more.

Build Quality: It Feels Premium Compared to Entry-Level Options

Coming from our old foam-based incubator, the Brinsea’s plastic base was a significant upgrade. Sturdier and more durable than entry-level foam options, this feels solid in the hand.

The clear dome lid — notably larger than most — provides excellent visibility, making it much easier to monitor the entire hatch without disturbing the environment.

Features That Actually Make a Difference

The Brinsea Ovation 56 EX isn’t just a fancy egg sauna — it’s packed with smart, useful features that improve hatch rates and lower stress.

Digital Humidity and Temperature Control

Automatic Egg Turning

I’ve always had this feature, so I don’t know how painful it is to go without… but I also never want to find out.

Alarm System

Temperature spike? Humidity dip? Power surge? The Brinsea lets you know immediately. Newer models even connect to your smartphone. Don’t have the connected version? For $75 you can get 3 Govee hygrometers that work on Wi-Fi and store historical data (use the other two in the chicken coop and the refrigerator- see our review here).

Cooling Mode (And Why It Matters)

If you already own this incubator, there’s a feature that you may not know it has. This feature simulates a hen leaving the nest each day — cooling the eggs for a set duration. We run ours for 45 minutes per day. The result?

Nature knows a flock needs hens. Cooling seems to tip the odds in your favor. Anecdotally: Our first hatch after enabling this feature gave us a lot of pullets. Try it for yourself.

Holds Up to 56 Eggs

We’ve found that running smaller hatches (46–50 eggs) yields better success. While we don’t have enough data to confirm this definitively, we plan to continue collecting stats across multiple hatches.

Additionally, the Brinsea recovers humidity quickly even after you lift the lid, and hatch mats (sold separately) make the base easier to clean and appear to help prevent splay leg. You can grab a 5-pack on Chewy for about $25.

What Could Be Better?

Let’s get this out of the way: it’s expensive. If you’re looking for the cheapest option, this isn’t it.

Also, while cleaning the unit isn’t exactly fun, it’s not going to ruin your day either. You’ll need a screwdriver and a little patience — it’s more of an inconvenience than a major obstacle.

You will need a few extras to run this incubator optimally:

Hatch mats ($25 for 5 at Chewy)

Humidity blocks, which cost around $20 and often require shipping

We opted to skip the humidity blocks and use untreated sponges cut to size — a simple, cost-effective alternative that works well.

Real Results, Even Under Pressure

Worth the Price? Absolutely.

We bought the Brinsea to increase our flock… but ended up creating multiple new income streams. We sell chicks. We sell fertilized eggs. And most importantly, we now consistently have eggs for food and resale.

If you’re thinking about turning your flock into a business — this is one of the first investments I’d recommend.

Our Verdict: Buy It

This is hands down the best incubator we’ve used. Yes, it’s pricey — but it performs. And if you’re serious about hatching, growing your flock, or turning chickens into profit, it’s worth every penny.

The only real “alternative” is the OvaEasy Cabinet Incubator… also made by Brinsea. Until we have the kind of money, the Brinsea Ovation 56EX will be our go to.