Incubator has odd smell. Worried about the eggs

[Tatuana]

My mother bought me an egg incubator for Christmas as well as ordered some eggs online. They're due to arrive in two days. I set up the incubator yesterday morning to figure it out (Kinda wish she'd waited on eggs, but you deal with things as they come) It's been running since then because I have an irrational fear of electronics catching fire. I noticed a kind of odd smell and chalked it up to the heater being turned on for the first time. I thought the smell went away. Turns out I couldn't smell it due to my cold. The smell is still there, stronger inside than outside.

Since the eggs are in the mail I clearly don't have time to return it to Amazon and get another one. I also don't want the eggs to die. Has anybody else dealt with an odd smell in their incubator? If I had to I would describe it as a sort of plastic smell, I think. Everything inside is fine. I checked all the electronics and such. I know that some lightbulbs can kill eggs, and now I'm super worried!

It's a Janoel 12 Egg Incubator. I've read it's an okay one. My mom didn't do amazing research before hand so I'm winging it. Next I get to figure out how to set up the tray. (Talk about jumping off the deep end to learn to swim. No regrets.)

 

[ChickNanny13]

What you're smelling is probably the "new" smell. Janoel 12, from what I've read is a good start up incubator. Have you calibrated the temp and humidity?
Also shipped eggs should be placed in an egg carton, small side down for (thinK) at least 24yrs before putting in the incubator. Have you read the articles on hatching?
Hatching 101 by Sally Sunshine

 

[Rammy]

Whats the smell? Something burning? Musty? Sometimes new stuff will smell until it gets broke in.

 

[ShannonR]

What you're smelling is probably the "new" smell. Janoel 12, from what I've read is a good start up incubator. Have you calibrated the temp and humidity?
Also shipped eggs should be placed in an egg carton, small side down for (thinK) at least 24yrs before putting in the incubator. Have you read the articles on hatching?
Hatching 101 by Sally Sunshine

24yrs.... lol not trying to pick on ya. But that was funny!

 

[ChickNanny13]

24hrs Good catch, that's embarrassing

 

[Tatuana]

What you're smelling is probably the "new" smell.

That's kind of what I thought, but I don't buy new things very often so I wasn't positive.

Have you calibrated the temp and humidity?
Also shipped eggs should be placed in an egg carton, small side down for (thinK) at least 24yrs before putting in the incubator. Have you read the articles on hatching?

Yes, I did. I've been reading all day to make sure the chicks get the best chance they can. I'm pretty sure I have it set up for the time being. I have two temp gauges I used for my lizard I put in along with a humidity tester. All seem to be reading the same, luckily.

Whats the smell? Something burning? Musty? Sometimes new stuff will smell until it gets broke in.

I think plastic/heating element? I'm not positive. It's most likely the new smell, I hope. Any idea on when that should lessen?


For now my cat Rue is guarding it for me to make sure it's not on fire or something. I turned the lid sideways to let out the smell. She's plastered herself to it for the heat.

 

[b2c2chicks]

24yrs.... lol not trying to pick on ya. But that was funny!

I’m cracking up too...when it comes to hatching, 24 hours can feel like 24 years sometimes!!!

 

[cmom]

It may be because the unit is new. I have seen them advertised but never touched one. Usually when I load my incubator with eggs it does take on an odor from the eggs, maybe it's my imagination. Good luck and have fun...

 

[Rammy]

Its probably the "new car smell". Im sure once you use it a few times, the smell will go away. I recently upgraded to an incubator I got from incubator warehouse. Its plastic not styrofoam. Easier to clean and built in egg turner.

 

[aart]

If I had to I would describe it as a sort of plastic smell, I think.

It probably is the plastic you are smelling,as well as maybe the 'first time' heating of the heating element.
New plastic will 'off gas', the heat will accelerate/exacerbate that smell.

Should be fine...understand the concern tho.
Just leave it heating until eggs are ready to go in.
Shipped eggs should rest before going into bator(as far as I know).
...and that will give you time to test your thermometers and hygrometers:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...incubator-thermometers-and-hygrometers.73634/