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Best incubator for a beginner?

Discussion in 'Incubating & Hatching Eggs' started by SilverPhoenix, Dec 20, 2009.

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  1. Dec 20, 2009 #1
    SilverPhoenix

    SilverPhoenix Bantam Fanatic

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    Hello!

    I've been raising chickens for eleven years now and I'm pretty knowledgeable about chickens in general, but I've never incubated anything myself. Since I got my seramas, though, I've been wanting to breed them and I've been thinking about getting an incubator for a Christmas gift for myself. Please put up with me if I ask some pretty basic questions--like I said, I have no experience incubating and don't know much about it!

    I was wondering...does anyone have a recommendation of best incubators for a beginner? I don't have a large budget and probably won't ever incubate more than ten eggs at a time, but I just want one that works well, is safe, preferably doesn't take up a ton of room, and if there are types of incubators that auto-turn the eggs I would love to have a feature like that. If not, how many times a day do the eggs need to be turned?

    Any other pertinent and important information about incubating would be appreciated as well, though of course I'll be reading up before I start hatching any little fluffs. [​IMG] I really think it would be fun to raise a few batches of seramas a year!
     

  4. Dec 20, 2009 #2
    geosheets

    geosheets Songster

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    What is your budget?

    Brinsea has some mini's that will handle 10 eggs(manual turning) or 7 eggs auto turn. They range in price from 65.00 to 300.00
    http://www.brinsea.com/SearchResult.aspx?CategoryID=52

    For 100-150.00 you can get a Little Giant or Hovabator with an egg turner. I would encourage you to do some searches on here to see what others say about them.

    Also, if you are handy, here is a link to several homemade incubators... lots of ideas and different designs if you can do some basic wiring and have some basic tools.
    https://www.backyardchickens.com/chicken-coop-incubator.html
     
  6. Dec 21, 2009 #3
    SilverPhoenix

    SilverPhoenix Bantam Fanatic

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    Quote:Thank you for your help! I'm going to look into both of those sites. [​IMG] Not sure I'd want to try a homemade incubator for now, but perhaps someday in the future.
     
  8. Dec 21, 2009 #4
    organicfoltzfamilyfarm

    organicfoltzfamilyfarm Songster

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    I have a Little Giant that I purchased from Tractor Supply. Currently I have the still air incubator. I purchased the automatic egg turner separately. It keeps the temp pretty steady. I would just suggest getting 2 new thermostats because the ones that they send are not accurate. They both read the same temp but when I bought new ones they said it was off about 10 deg. That's a lot!

    I've read the reviews on the Little Giant and they were bad but I have had no problem with it since.

    Here is the link:

    Still Air Incubator: http://www.tractorsupply.com/livest...-equipment/little-giant-air-incubator-2167379 $41.99

    Automatic Egg Turner: http://www.tractorsupply.com/livest...ken-equipment/little-giant-egg-turner-2167387 $41.99

    You can buy new thermomters at any pet store. Just make sure you get one with a humidity reader (hygrometer).

    Hope this helps:)
     
  10. Dec 21, 2009 #5
    Lensters

    Lensters Songster

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    Ok, you know what it was like when you first started in chickens and you didn't have enough coop space? Well it will be the same with the 'bator. Seeing that you are already into chickens I would suggest that you go straight for a GQF Sportsman. [​IMG]
     
  12. Dec 21, 2009 #6
    SilverPhoenix

    SilverPhoenix Bantam Fanatic

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    Thanks for the helpful replies! [​IMG] I've done some looking around and I'm currently looking into Hovabators with viewing windows, an egg turner, and circulated air. The more research and looking around I do, the more excited I get! Now only to convince my mom that I won't get carried away and hatch too many. [​IMG] She won't believe me, as I don't believe myself. [​IMG]

    I'm going to go down to a local feed store before making a purchase and ask questions just to make sure I get the right model, but I may buy from Ebay as the prices on there are a bit lower.
     
  14. Dec 21, 2009 #7
    duckluck

    duckluck Dulcimyrh Ducks

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    I'd shoot for a cabinet incubator myself...watch Ebay and Craigslist. Or search deep into the listings on Google. GQF, Humidaire, and Dickey's make incubators that come highly recommended. I'm a newbie myself that just had a successful hatch and have 15 more in the bator now, and I am using a GQF 1202 and am in the process of setting up my Humidaires, just received the parts today.
     

  17. Dec 21, 2009 #8
    TK Poultry

    TK Poultry Songster

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    i have a little giant from TSC has helped me hatch alot and had good hatch rates with it i think i would have a better hatch rate if i had a turner tho
     
  19. Dec 21, 2009 #9
    Farmer Benjii

    Farmer Benjii Songster

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    Quote:Just wondering, how old are you, 18 12 15 13?
     
  21. Dec 21, 2009 #10
    rosco

    rosco Songster

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    Last edited: Dec 21, 2009
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