Best incubator to use for duck eggs?

[T Hi]

So I am going to get crazy and try to hatch some Indian Runner ducklings!!!

Incubators are expensive and have so many different options!

PLEASE- Chime in and give me any advice!!!!

What have you found to work the best and easiest?

Thanks!

 

[tia]

I have a Suro from R-Com, and the school I work at purchased a Brinsea for my classroom. They both work well if you want to spend the money for them.

 

[Kansaseq]

I only have experience with Brinseas,but I love them. Just hatched out a clutch of WH ducks. Set 10, and all 10 hatched. Can't beat a Brinsea for ease of use.

 

[duckyfromoz]

I dont know if they are available in the USA - But I have an IM. I have had 100% hatch rates more often than not since using it. I used to use a hovabator- although cheap - they do have their issues.
When upgrading finding one with an autoturn function where the eggs could be placed on their sides and roll turned was the most important feature I was looking for. The IM does have such a model- and I have found it a very simple and very reliable machine to use. It gets up to required temperature within an hour- and stays there. The water tray is sufficient for incubation and hatching- to increase it- you simply close an air vent partially. I know there are other good machines out there.... But the IM has my definite vote as a great machine for duck eggs.

http://www.incubatorsandmore.com.au/im web/35A.htm

 

[T Hi]

I am looking at the Genesis Hova bator 1588 with turner.

Has anyone had good luck with it?

Duckyfromoz- I couldn't find a price for that IM bator or if I can get it in the US.

I wish I could find one near by that I could just rent!

 

[The Duck ABC's]

I use the Genesis 1588 with goose egg turner with great success. BTW the goose egg turner does not fit goose eggs, but ducks eggs only. I've told them that and they know off this issue. They will change the wording, but have no intend of coming out with a turner that truly fits goose eggs. They just don't sell enough of them. So I ended up making my own goose egg turner, based on the duck egg turner. You can also make your own goose or duck egg turner by using hardware cloth, screws, washers and nuts. Make sure to cut out extra hardware cloth near the turners motor. Quite easy. The machines works well with duck eggs, but you should avoid the area underneath the fan, but that applies to any incubator. The only downside is that you cannot turn the fan off or reduce the heat during lock down. For that it may be a good idea to get one of the older still incubators with the wafer technology. Just for hatching, plus it does keep your expensive Genesis machine clean longer. I've found out the windex or oxyclean works well for cleaning the inside. I've also told them about the temperature and fan short comings and they are working on a new machine that will allow better temperature adjustment/selection and the option of turning the fan off. No timeline for this new machine yet. Overall I'm happy with the machine and the space it provides inside or it.

 

[T Hi]

Hmmm..... so maybe it's not such a great do it all machine then!

I was hoping to find one that can also be the hatch box.

 

[thekid]

go with brinsea

 

[TriciaHowe]

Quote:
I have 3 of them and hatch out about 100 duckings a year in them (not including chickens)... I don't have any problems with mine and although I don't have an exact figure my hatches average over 90%. I find them to be fabulous and inexpensive incubators. I have never had to adjust my temps and it holds humidity quite well. I do have a brinsea Oct. 20 (original model) and I don't like it for hatching ducks (personally - other people have had much better luck than me). Good luck with whatever you decide on

 

[The Duck ABC's]

All machines have short comings. The Genesis is a very good machine and you can hatch in it. Professionals prefer to reduce the temp and turn the fan off during lockdown, but it is not neccessary. It is very roomy, which is good when they hatch. You don't want a machine were the eggs are laying right next to each other, because it does not give you space for hatching. It is always a good idea to have a hatcher, because there is a lot of mess when they hatch and it can make the machine dirty or unsanitary. The Genesis has a plastic tray below, which can be taken out and should be cleaned each time. This machine is perfect, if you only plan on having a few hatches per year. Once you plan on having lots of hatches then it is time to upgrade to a larger machine. The other good news is that you can buy a replacement foam base or lid for not much money, which allows you to replace these parts. It holds the heat well and long, even when you have a power outage, because the foam is so insulating. The other machines do not have this! So don't rule this machine out, because the other machines have about the same short comings when it comes to changing temp or turning off the fan.