Best incubators for ducks? Questions about incubation.

[TomCahalan]

I am going to start hatching next spring and I want to be prepared. I also want to buy my incubators before the massive inflation hits.

I am currently raising my third set of ducklings, but I have never hatched before.

I'm planning a breeding program where I want to keep track of the pedigree of my ducks as much as possible. Is it hard to keep track of which duckling hatched from which egg? I am thinking that having more incubators instead of one large one would help with this.

I want an automatic turner, and as many other features that will make this as simple as possible. I am willing to pay more for convenience, quality, and performance.

Please let me know what model(s) you recommend for my situation.

Oh, and HAPPY EASTER!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Any quality incubator can hatch any species of bird or reptile.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Rather than multiple incubators, it is best to have at least one incubator and at least one hatcher. That way you can have staggered hatches and not worry about conflicts in timing. In the hatcher, you can pedigree eggs with pedigree bags. I use plastic mesh bags that were intended for fresh shrimp. I've also used plastic mixed greens containers. They are about the right size for up to 4 eggs.
I number the eggs and then in a notebook, I note each egg and what flock it came from, the weight of the egg and the color at a minimum.

 

[Isaac 0]

You might try posting in the Incubating/Hatching Section as well.

 

[TomCahalan]

Rather than multiple incubators, it is best to have at least one incubator and at least one hatcher. That way you can have staggered hatchers and not worry about conflicts in timing. In the hatcher, you can pedigree eggs with pedigree bags. I use plastic mesh bags that were intended for fresh shrimp. I've also used plastic mixed greens containers. They are about the right size for up to 4 eggs.
I number the eggs and then in a notebook, I note each egg and what flock it came from, the weight of the egg and the color at a minimum.

If I understand, you are saying that I should have one large incubator that I keep putting small batches of eggs in. Then when batches are about to hatch I put them into mesh bags and the bags go into a hatcher. What is a hatcher? A separate machine, or just another incubator?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

You understand correctly. A hatcher is an incubator you hatch in. It can be a dedicated machine or just another incubator. Because of what you hatch in becoming very dirty, it is best not to use Styrofoam or anything that doesn't disinfect easily.
GQF Sportsman makes a dedicated hatcher as well as incubators. They can be used for either purpose but the incubators have automatic turners for three trays of eggs. Hatchers don't have turners and have racks for 6 egg trays so if you set two incubators at the same time, all the eggs will fit into the hatcher. One rack will hold 2 extra large egg trays for ducks so you can get 198 duck eggs into an incubator at once.