Best small incubator for a beginner

[hobbychick]

I was wondering if anyone can tell me what is the best incubator for a beginner! I want it to be easy but a good one.

 

[azelgin]

By small do you mean 40 to 50 eggs? Hova-Bator 1588. Get the turner too.

 

[Snakeoil]

I agree, the hovabator is the best bang for your buck.

 

[Cara]

You really do get what you pay for when it comes to small incubators. Well it goes for any new incubator usually. I'd advise against the awful Chickabator (a tacky yellow dome-shaped one), and the still air styrofoam ones. If it's within the budget, you can't go wrong with an R-COM. I got one as my first incubator and had a 90%-ish hatch rate first time.

I have an Octagon 20 that produces the best results of any, but it might be complicated to put together if you're not familiar with incubators. I called Brinsea to ask for the old model, rather than the one on their website, and have been very pleased with it. They might still have some. I have a 1588, but to be honest I don't see what the fuss is all about. I needed a cheap higher capacity incubator for a chick order, but it's not too satifying spending $150+ on styrofoam! When we've had power outages, the Octagon has held temperature very well and i've still had a good hatch. Unfortunately the same didn't apply to the 1588, I had less than 50% hatch from my own eggs.

ETA Brinsea customer service is excellent. They've always gone above and beyond when i've had a problem, including sending me out a replacement part free of charge this week for an incubator that was no longer under warranty. I'll always buy anything new from them because they've treated me so well.

 

[Tuffoldhen]

I have a Hova Circulated Air Model 1583 with turner, it's cheaper than a 1588 and I have hatched out hundred of chicks in it without any problems, nice clean hatches every time. Adjusting temps were done on day one when I turned it on and I have not had to do a thing to it since.

 

[hobbychick]

where did you get your octagon 20?
What is is difference between the 1583 and the 1588 other than the price?

 

[Mahonri]

GQF Hovabator 1588 with the 1611 turner.... recommended by Miss Prissy as "A plug and play"

Next week we'll see what we get!

 

[Cara]

I got the Octagon direct from Brinsea.

www.brinsea.com

They have a new model, the Octagon Advance, but the older model is perfectly fine and cheaper!

 

[Tuffoldhen]

Quote:
1583s use a wafer thermostat and are easier to fix if a problem with heating would arise.

As with any incubator its all in how you learn to use it from day one.

 

[jay1995]

If you have a Tractor Supply Co. where you live, then they sell you an incubator for $41.99 I'm a beginner and turn the eggs on my own. But if you feel you need a auto turner they sell one for $41.99, or you can buy one on the internet. Goodluck.