Cost of Running an Incubator

[LupineLass]

Can you help us solve a debate, how much does it cost to run an incubator approx...

Duration let's say for just one setting of eggs?

 

[Mahonri]

If it's small like a hovabator I'm imagining a couple of dollars... it doesn't take much.

 

[HBuehler]

I'm running 4 small hova bators and don't see any real difference on my light bill.
Now I have no idea what it would cost to run just one for 21 days..mine stay running

only stop for a bleaching and back to work.
They are a hatching as I type

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

Lets do some math.

the foam incubators are about 40 watt.
Its on about half the time so lets say 12 hours.
An 21 days.
National average of $0.12 a kilowatt hour
= $1.21 to incubate 1 batch of chicken eggs

or $21 a year to run it 24/7

Mine run close to $1,000 a year to run the 2 big incubators, the brooder an the web cameras.

 

[FenDruadin]

Awesome! I've been wondering the same thing, and glad to see some answers here.

There are just a few things that have been left out. So let's do the rest of the math.

Cost of Running an Incubator (average per year, based on national statistics):

Electricity: $1.21
Water for humidity: $0.30
Replacement parts: $1.09
Egg cartons or trays for hatching: $0.73
Eggs for hatching: $250
Food and bedding for resulting chicks/ducklings: $85.28
New pens for extra birds that have imprinted on you so you can't slaughter them: $252.74
Second incubator because you want to run staggered hatches: $185.98
New brooding equipment for additional hatchlings: $150.17
More food and bedding for additional hatchlings: $87.36
More eggs to fill additional incubator space: $250
New pens (see above): $374.65 (because you decided to upgrade your design)
Food and equipment for new birds you can't sell or slaughter: $172.22
Expensive electronic toy for husband because he's starting to get worried about your "hobby": $336.27
Cabinet incubator because you now have too many eggs from your own birds to fit in your two incubators and besides, your husband now needs accessories for his cool new toy so he needs to butter you up: $632.60
Accessories for cool new toy: $516.23
BYC Membership because you absolutely must give yourself the user title "Hatching QUEEN" (and besides, what's another $20 when you're in this deep already?): $20
Total: $3316.83*

Watching a new life pop into the world under its own power: Priceless

* Note: These statistics represent averages in the first three years of hatching. Totals may go up in future years.

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

 

[mulia24]

i only need to use 5 watt bulb to heat my styro bator when use 45 watt for my triplek bator.

i didn't measure the cost but my electricity bill didn't change too much, and i know that's not because the bator didn't affect the bill but because the man that his duty is to check the *power meter* outside my house is too lazy to check them and only guess and i'm afraid i pay more than i use, and i'll check it next month.


i never find any national company in my country that could do their job well. you can ask any people here and they will choose private company than public/national company.

 

[SilkieTime]

Maybe I need a job just so I can hatch eggs.

 

[speckledhen]

My older square Hova has a 25 watt element, so hardly causes a blip on the meter.

 

[Cherlyn]

Quote:

This post needs to be made into its own sticky!

~Cherlyn