bator choice and hatching flock questions

[SisterFlash]

Ok I have decided no hatchery...I really want nice pets that I can be sure of the look and temperment.

All of you breeding birds they are so beautiful I know I would be disappointed with hatchery birds. You all are enabling in a fun and lovely way.

It costs so much to build the proper coop that I might as well hatch the chicks I will really enjoy. I always say to people that get into horses...it generally costs the same to feed a good one as an average one....so buy a good one.

I am really taken with the blue orps, marans, barnies, blue americanna, and dark RIR. We had RIR when I was a kid and they were very dark and my rooser was wonderful and lived to age 13. Fond memories...so I was upset to hear some say the RIR roos are agressive or that they are now light not the dark brown red I remember.

Ok so that decided....I will be hatching my own.

I am looking at the bristina 10 without the turner or the hova bator 1588 which comes with the turner and all. My issue with the bristina is most people sell 12+ eggs so I would have to choose the 10 I set. Then again if I order only 6+ it works

What do you think?

Both are about 150 so which do you feel is better? Will I be able to hold the temps in the 1588?

Also while still concerned about additional roos I think that like many of you have suggested I shoudl be able to pair them and sell at the feed store. I hope so. I will probably keep 1 or 2 roos but I really do not feel I can go above 18 or 20 total. I would perfer less with only one roo.

Do any of you have small flocks and still hatch out eggs?

When your chicks hatch out do you vaccinate them for marke (sp?) and other things? I am pretty experienced with giving my horses vacinations but little chicks look sort of tricky because they are so small. Do you guys that hatch your own chicks vaccinate them?

Advice?

thanks you guys are all great at helping out.

Barb

 

[kstaven]

Temp and humidity are easier to control with a Brinsea. At leats I assume you mean Brinsea. You may be dissappointed with the small capacity is all.

I used hova's with a turner for years without issue.

I never vaccinate. Well fed, cared for and clean with a healthy immune system has always worked for me.

 

[Poison Ivy]

I have the hova bator 1588 and it holds temps great. All I have to do is add water when needed.
I feed the chicks medicated feed to start with. So far the few roos that I do hatch sell easy here so it's not been a problem yet. I think you'll like the 1588 and it gives you more room for hatching then the other one you had listed plus it has the turner which comes in handy.

 

[Katy]

I agree with Poisen Ivy.....I've got a 1588 and a 1590 (older version of the 1588) and really like them. I think they're a pretty good way to go for the money. I'd like to have a big fancy one, but can't justify the money I'd have to spend.

 

[HenHaven]

I can't comment on the Brinsea, but I have the 1588 preset Hova, and I love it! I set it up right here by my computer, and was able to watch the hatch through the big picture window. It held temps perfectly. The only thing you have to monitor is the humidity. My very first try at hatching ended up being 5/5.