Button Incubator suggestion.

[Caluel]

Hey BYC, my female button just started laying, and I was contemplating if she doesn't get broody buying an incubator. I was wondering if any of you could recommend me an incubator that is somewhere in the range of 60~70 dollars.

 

[JaeG]

My incubator is a cheap one and it's been fantastic for hatching quail, both Buttons and Coturnix. The most important thing with any incubator is to have a calibrated thermometer and hygrometer inside it because the temperature readings on the incubator unit are often incorrect. Here's an article about how to do that:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...incubator-thermometers-and-hygrometers.73634/
I hatch in a vented tray (just a disposable foil roasting pan I punch holes in) lined with shelf liner because the chicks are tiny and can easily fall through small gaps inside the incubator.

Button chicks are escape artists and very active. Make sure you add enough eggs to ensure at least two hatch as a lone Button quail chick is very high maintenance. They are prone to leg injuries if put on a surface that's too slippery (which includes paper towels). Shelf liner is best. You'll need to teach them to eat and drink by tapping the food and water. Also ensure there is no way they can get wet where their water is concerned. They can literally drown in a couple of millimeters depth of water.

 

[blackoaktammy]

I use Little Giant for my buttons, and I get great hatch rates. When they go on lockdown, I but a damp piece of burlap on the floor of the incubator to keep them from getting their legs stuck in the mesh. I use paper towels for the chicks. Paper towels come in all different flavors. I make sure I get a brand that is textured and a little rough. When they first hatch, I put the feed directly on the toweling and I use a peanut butter lid with marbles in it for water to keep them from drowning.

 

[Severne]

any hovabater.

 

[mdees88]

Whichever incubator you choose, make sure to verify the temp and humidity is accurate.... that's pretty much the only reason why people have poor hatches with any model incubator.

I used to use paper towels for hatching and the highly textured, "rough" ones work very well. I pretty much only use the shelf liners over paper towels now and they work great.