Best incubator

[scflock]

So what's the story on the GQF Sportsman? It has a digital readout and looks to me like it's pretty much set and forget. I'm assuming you can set the temp and humidity digitally and forget about it.

That is a very popular incubator around here, but I haven't actually spoken to anyone that has used one. I keep my eye on CL to see if one pops up, but they don't last long when they do. I don't really need that much capacity, but I would like to have one if I could snag a deal

 

[hfite]

What % success rate are you having with the brinsea? I have been looking at several different models for over a grand just want a model that will last and work. Thanks for all the help

 

[scflock]

What % success rate are you having with the brinsea? I have been looking at several different models for over a grand just want a model that will last and work. Thanks for all the help

4 hatches this year, and if you discard the infertile eggs, my hatch rates were:
17/19
12/18 (I tried a lower humidity, which didn't work for me)
22/23
16/18

That's my only complaint with the Brinsea is the capacity for the price, but if I had another one, that would give me a good capacity to keep fertile eggs cooking all the time. If I ever get much larger, I would seriously consider the new 100 egg mini-cabinet they have for $999.
I know people can build incubators much more cheaply, but I don't have the time, nor am I mechanically inclined. The Brinsea makes it easy for a novice to be successful, and I have never regretted it

 

[Titanpaul726]

I have to put in a plug for the Dickey cabinet incubator. As of tonight I've hatched 24 out of 28 of this batch. 3 more are popping as I write this. My only issue is the hatch takes place over 2 or 3 days. It holds 280 eggs I think. Cost about 650.00 and great customer service.

 

[AmyLynn2374]

I have to put in a plug for the Dickey cabinet incubator. As of tonight I've hatched 24 out of 28 of this batch. 3 more are popping as I write this. My only issue is the hatch takes place over 2 or 3 days. It holds 280 eggs I think. Cost about 650.00 and great customer service.

WTG!!! That's some good hatching!!

 

[AJALEXANDER81]

My wife got 6/6 that made it to the Hatcher(as a note this was 100% from start to finish all 21 days). Right now she has 8/16 or 17(a few of these where trashed before reaching the LG Hatcher and are shipped eggs) Quails hatched that went in at the same time as the first bunch and they have another day or 2 left to hatch out on time. as this is my wifes first experience with hatching or raising Chickens/Quail I believe it should be a top incubator as well.. All she had to do was add water every few days!

https://www.gqfmfg.com/store/comersus_viewItem.asp?idProduct=65 and then as a hatcher http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/store/little-giantreg;-still-air-incubator with a computer fan for circulation that my wife made out of spare parts around the house while I'm away.

***Update***
Out of the eggs she moved to the Hatcher
1- Chicken didn't hatch. it started but when it cracked the shell a bloody looking liquid oozed out and before she seen it it had already died
3-Quail didn't hatch. 2 died possibly due to the fact the hatcher got unplugged somehow and when she noticed it the temp had dropped to like 87 degrees

So 10/11 Chicken and approx 23/26 Quail final Hatch totals on her first attempt over the 2 different batches (4 different hatch dates)

 

[Titanpaul726]

WTG!!! That's some good hatching!!

Thanks Amy.

Final total is 26 out of 28. There are two eggs left that aren't showing any signs of hatching. I'll do a clean out tonight after work and get ready for the current batch of 54 that are in there now. Going to candle all 54 tonight to see where they stand.

 

[scflock]

Thanks Amy.

Final total is 26 out of 28.  There are two eggs left that aren't showing any signs of hatching.  I'll do a clean out tonight after work and get ready for the current batch of 54 that are in there now.  Going to candle all 54 tonight to see where they stand.

A sportsman in "like new" condition popped up last night for $400. I'm dying for it, but just can't justify that much capacity. I only get about 4 dozen fertile eggs/ week. That's a nice looking unit

 

[Titanpaul726]

I would have to jump on that! I've been looking some and haven't seen any for sale. That's less than half of the new price.

 

[AmyLynn2374]

A sportsman in "like new" condition popped up last night for $400. I'm dying for it, but just can't justify that much capacity. I only get about 4 dozen fertile eggs/ week. That's a nice looking unit

Think future..retirement...buy it now at cheaper and you won't have to spend the big bucks later....lol

You don't have to fill it up right away....lol