Brinsea Octo and GQF Sportsman bators, where are the cheapest ones at?

[swheat]

Yes, you can still run the incubator with the turner off. Sorry I didn't answer that if previous post. I always seem to stagger hatches, so I keep my turner on.

 

[rarebreedeggs4u]

Try searching http://craiglook.com/ You can put in INCUBATOR and your zip code and it will search all CL listings around you. On the search page, you can use the slider bar to set a search distance too, up to 250 miles. Some of the Sportsman models have a bottom hatching drawer too. My 1202 does and it's older, but works great.


Here's a search for your area

http://craiglook.com/new-castle-in/all.html?q=incubator&m=155


Ohh...wonder if they still have these...that's a 1202 incubator AND a hatcher for less than $300.00

humidaire,wood drum type.auto turn incubator,2 large tray,very good condition,excellent operation $430. humidaire wood cabinet type hatcher,2 large tray,,veiwing glass pane,very good condition,excellent operation. $240. These wood humidaire are known for holding they're humidity extremely good. 1 gqf 1202 cabinet type incubator, good condition,works excellent. $140. 1 gqf 1202 cabinet type hatcher w/glass door,good condition,works excellent $140. 1 little giant styrafoam incubator with glass viewing pane,with fan kit installed,excellent condition,used only two times.$45 phone 765-242-1112

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

I would take a Sportsman over a Brinsea any day! We have both - our Brinsea is an Octogon 40.

Also with a Sportsman you can hatch extra and sell the chicks to pay for the 'bator. Our first one paid for itself in about 6 months - the 2nd one in 3 months.

Steve in NC

 

[k2chickens]

Quote:
wow very nice! Where did you get your octo 40 at? i really wanted to get that one but could not find out if it had a digital LCD readout screen or not. Then again if i did that i would be getting close to 600+ on cost...i would rather get the sportsman at that point. Where did you get yours? Buying a used one would be great, but im really picky on getting a 1502 with the LCD readout. Does anyone know where to get that model at the cheapest price shipped as possible? Or am i going to have to go directly through GQF?

 

[kathyinmo]

Quote:
Well, I have my first eggs in it now. It is like, "set it and forget it!" I have the auto humidity, and so far have not seen a problem. It is holding the temp and humidity steady. I had intended to have one hatch, but with eggs from 3 different places. Well, it appears I will again have a 3 part staggered hatch. I wanted to hatch IN the Sportsman, but with the staggered due dates I'm afraid to chance it. My due dates are ... Dec 20, 24, 26 .....

 

[swheat]

Quote:
Well, I have my first eggs in it now. It is like, "set it and forget it!" I have the auto humidity, and so far have not seen a problem. It is holding the temp and humidity steady. I had intended to have one hatch, but with eggs from 3 different places. Well, it appears I will again have a 3 part staggered hatch. I wanted to hatch IN the Sportsman, but with the staggered due dates I'm afraid to chance it. My due dates are ... Dec 20, 24, 26 .....

Why are you afraid to chance it ? I have staggered hatches all the time, usually a tray at a time. I don't use the auto humidity though, Alabama has enough in the air. I just add hot water on the 18th-19th day (yeah, sometimes I am a day late), the on day 22-23 move chicks to brooder.
I have this all going on while I still incubating other eggs usually due the next week. I don't think you would have any problems IMO.

 

[kathyinmo]

Quote:
Well, how would that work for me ... I mean, I have 6 days difference from first hatch to last hatch. The humidity control is for the entire incubator. I can't up the humidity too soon, because of the later hatch.

Help me out here .... I'm not understanding how you can hatch a staggered hatch in the same incubator, when different dates require differing humidity.

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

We just add the humidity sponge when we stop turning. We do the same as Swheat and hatch/incubate at the same time. The rest of the eggs in the incubator hatch fine when their time comes.

asylum11,
I don't remember where we got ours from but I just did a google search and compaired prices from the search.

Steve in NC

 

[swheat]

OK, let me back up a bit. When I used the 5 gal auto watering for my cabinet incubators(Sportsman & Dickey) I kept losing chicks in the shell. They were drowning in the shell. I asked for help on one of the forums I belonged to, and a very nice man told me to try the "dry hatch" method. He said not to use the auto water, because I was drowning the chicks and to only add hot water at the 18th day mark.
At first I was so skeptical, because everyone rants & worries over humidity. Well, I gave it a try, and it works great. The only time I add water is the 18-19th day of a set of eggs due to hatch and move them to the bottom of the incubator. This doesn't seem to effect the other eggs that are still incubating. I have been doing this all year and I don't worry over the humidity any more. But again, here in Alabama we have plenty of humidity in the air. When there is not water in the incubator my humidity runs about 42 to 48 %, when I add the hot water to the water pan the humidity jumps to about 88 % humidity.
Since your hatch dates are so close I don't think the increased humidity will hurt the other eggs. But it is your call. I would suggest if there is a time you could try out this method I would recommend it...With the possiblity of not having to worry(I don't give it a second thought anymore) about the humidity is worth a try. I now use my auto water kit to auto water my geese, the bucket is connected to a bell waterer.
You may not have as much humidity in your area, but if anyone is losing chicks that pip but never hatch, most likely could do the 'Dry Hatch" method...the are 2 big pluses 1) less chicks drowning in the shell & 2) No more worrying over the humidity in the incubator!(that alone used to drive me nuts).

 

[rarebreedeggs4u]

I haven't had a lot of trouble with staggered hatches in the Sportsman. That's what they are made to do after all

Here in NW Arkansas right now, the RH is WAY too low to do a dry hatch....in the 20%-30% range with the Central heat going. I could add an humidfier, but my bators are in a very open area of the house.

Kathy, you could still use a Hovabator for hatching, but I know you had concerns about that. I'd use the Sportsman and just go for it!