Brinsea Questions, Can someone help??

[HenThymes]

I am looking to buy one of two models of Brinsea incubators to start hatching this year. I have a newborn and not allot of time to devote to "pampering" the bator per say so which one would be recommended? I am on a bugdet for this year, babies take allot of $$. lol p.s., I have horses too, talk about costing $$.....

ANYWAY - The Mini Advanced? Or the Oca 20 ECO?

I will be hatching both LF and bantam Orps. If it's the Oca 20, how much work it is to turn eggs everyday without having the luxury of an egg turner? Does it affect the overall hatching quality opening the bator several times a day to turn eggs manually? I like to convience of the mini advanced but I like to space in the oca 20. HELP!!!!

 

[CedarRidgeChicks]

I have the 20 eco and no turner..I use the bottom flat sections of the bator and tilt it 3-5 a day..takes a few seconds per turn..easy..remembering may be the bigger problem. I turn as soon as I get up on my way to the kitchen, at lunch and before bed..try to get in a couple more during the day..I have it where I pass by it often. I am on my first hatch..and it has been super easy so far.

 

[Three Cedars Silkies]

The mini only holds 7 eggs, so I would recommend the Octagon 20. They are very reliable incubators...BUT....you should still use a spot thermometer and make sure that the reading on the digital screen is within a degree or less of the spot thermometer.

I recently had a horrible hatch in the Octagon 20 EX Advanced. I assumed (yeah, I know

) that the temps/humidity was accurate. AFter getting 2 chicks out of 24 eggs, I checked the temp/humidity with several thermometers and it was 2-3 degrees off .

They can be calibrated by you at home, so it's not like the end of the world. So just a heads up!

 

[HenThymes]

What Therm/Hyg would be recommended? The ones I have used in the past tend to read different from each other even though they were the same brand, is there a good one out there? Would you then trust the reading on the bator or the reading on your own therm/hyg??

 

[brendapa]

I have the 20 eco and no turner..I use the bottom flat sections of the bator and tilt it 3-5 a day..takes a few seconds per turn..easy..remembering may be the bigger problem. I turn as soon as I get up on my way to the kitchen, at lunch and before bed..try to get in a couple more during the day..I have it where I pass by it often. I am on my first hatch..and it has been super easy so far.

Works like a charm! $99 plus $28 shipping​

 

[Three Cedars Silkies]

Quote:
Well, herein lies the problem. I trusted the temp on the Brinsea (This was a borrowed unit but in like new condition) and it was a full 2.5-3.0 degrees off of the temp and 15% off on the humidity which resulted in a dismal hatch.

I would just be sure you at least check it with an Accurite one from Walmart. It may not be perfect, but if the temps/humidity is wildly different you know to check with another therm/hyg. For temp, I use a "spot thermometer" that I got in the cooking section at Walmart. It's very small and it fits down perfectly in the ventilation hole on top of the unit. There are directions on it for how to calibrate it first and I did that. At least I know it's calibrated and should be correct.

I got my new Rcom Suro King yesterday and believe me, I checked out the temps/hum before I put the eggs in it!! When it's set at 100.00 (and the digital read-out flickers between 99.6 and 100.2) my spot therm said 100. That's the temp I like to hatch at. I've gotten soggy and/or sticky chicks at lower temps, so it's my personal favorite temp.

The Brinsea is a GREAT bator. The Rcom Suro King is a replica of the Brinsea Octagon EX Advanced with the humidity pump, so I chose that one. I work full-time and I'm not around to fiddle with a bator during the day. I needed something that was automatic...but not $500!! This one was on sale at Kemp's Koop for $225 plus $40 shipping. Having used both, I can say that there are a couple of things about the Brinsea that I like better...but all in all I think it's a draw.

Good luck to you!!!