What brand of incubator?

Hi everyone. I bought a really cheap 7 egg incubator on the Internet from China. It is stuffed and won't let me adjust the temp anymore. So it's basically cooking my eggs now. I have tried incubating 2 batches with no success. I'm after an incubator which is fully automatic and requires me to do very little. I'm a newbee to incubating chicks so I really want an incubator thst will give me a reasonable success rate. Suggestions on brands and models? Is Janoel any good?

I was looking for at the Janoel jn-48...what's people's experience with them?
Is there any difference in incubators that only allow you to place eggs pointy end down fat end up? Compared to the incubators that only allow you to lay eggs on their side? Difference in hatch rates?

I have used GQF incubators for years and incubated thousands of eggs. I'm happy with all of the models, but the Genesis is "da bomb" for small time hatching (holds 42 eggs at a time). It's less than $200 with an auto turner. I recommend Cutler Supply for great prices and service.

Lots of people recommend Brinsea incubators and if you can afford them, they may be the very best, but for value and "good enough" performance, I think GQF is unbeatable.

I first started trying to incubate about 3 years ago. I first had a Little Giant with the heating ring around the top and then I borrowed a Farm Innovator with the heating ring around the top. I did not ever have a good hatch rate with either of those units. That's not to say that people don't. There are people on this site that have these units and have very successful hatches. My best hatch rate with these units though was never above 30% and I felt like I was constantly babysitting the unit for temp swings.

This past spring, I bought a Hova Bator Genesis 1588. It is fully digital, preset, and has a built in thermometer/hygrometer. I also have my Little Giant auto egg turner which I had previously and fortunately fit. The bator I think cost me about $150 and the turner I got for about $30. I personally love having a turner in there because I have 4 children and 2 jobs and did not think that I would consistently remember or have time to turn my eggs. The bator itself is wonderful! I have had it now for 2 months and have had 2 very successful hatches. My first hatch was 69% and my hatch that just finished this past Wednesday was 87%! I am starting another batch this Saturday (picking up my eggs today).

With this bator I run "dry". During the first 17 days I try to keep my humidity about 30%-35% and then raise it to 75% at lock down. Even though this has a built in thermometer/hygrometer I did purchase 2 other thermometer/hygrometers. Even though the built in has proven so far to be spot on I feel more comfortable having a 2nd and 3rd to confirm. The hygrometers are differing between 5%-10% but I really only use those as a starting point. I rely more heavily on my air cell development to determine if I need to increase/decrease my humidity.

I would recommend this bator to everyone. It is VERY easy it use and as close to plug in and walk away as you can get. Plus, the manufacturer is highly helpful. I have had to call them a couple of times and not only have they helped me with my issues (which actually turned out to be user error) but also offer a warranty and will send out free replacement parts/free shipping. The customer service is superior.

I have no personal experience with Janoel. I know that there are people who love them and from what I have heard they are great machines. I think they tend to be more expensive but am not positive.

Good luck!!

Correction: When I mentioned the Janoel I was actually thinking Brinsea.

kuchchicks said:

Correction: When I mentioned the Janoel I was actually thinking Brinsea.

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Oh yeah. The Brinsea are the expensive ones, but they are almost fool proof. Janoel in my opinion from what I've gleaned, isn't better than the styros. I have heard many good things with the hovabotor and think that will be my next purchase. I like the bigger viewing window on the 1588.

Brinsea really is very good!

How many eggs are you wanting to hatch at a time? And do you definitely want an auto-turner? I bought the Brinsea mini for my first incubation and loved it so much that I bought another one so I could hatch more eggs. Yes, they are pricey but if you are able to hand turn then they have an "Eco" model, which I think is very affordable. You can't beat the quality & dependability. I love my Brinsea!!

avocado said:

Brinsea really is very good!

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I 2nd that. I have an eco one I have to watch temp and humidity but its not difficult once you play with it and get the feel for it..The gadget is awesome I love mine, I have it running now and tonight putting another batch of turkey eggs in it. I purchased the turner because I need it since I am not home in the daytime to turn them. When I first got it i was wishing I got the advanced but nah i got a little 10 dollar hygrometer that keeps tabs on things, I use it as a guide it is off but not by much. I had a 100% hatch rate out of it last time with 14 eggs in it. So I deem it the most awesomest thing ever LOL. Tonight i will put 20 turkey eggs in it. Crossing fingers and toes that i have another great hatch rate.

kmartinez said:

I 2nd that. I have an eco one I have to watch temp and humidity but its not difficult once you  play with it and get the feel for it..The gadget is awesome I love mine, I have it running now and tonight putting another batch of turkey eggs in it. I purchased the turner because I need it since I am not home in the daytime to turn them. When I first got it i was wishing I got the advanced but nah i got a little 10 dollar hygrometer that keeps tabs on things, I use it as a guide it is off but not by much. I had a 100% hatch rate out of it last time with 14 eggs in it. So I deem it the most awesomest thing ever LOL. Tonight i will put 20 turkey eggs in it. Crossing fingers and toes that i have another great hatch rate.

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That's an awesome hatch!! I also bought a cheap, small round reptile hygrometer and calibrated it. I double checked the thermometers against a calibrated one and the Brinsea temp was dead on. I'm hoping to get a good hatch! Tomorrow is lockdown!