California - Northern

[ronott1]

My daughter Clementine tending the big girls as they scratched around the garden on this sunny Sunday. Mark is at the store picking up lumber to start the coop!! So exciting! You all have seriously given me the hatching fever. I am really wanting to get an incubator and set some eggs. I think I'll start with some grocery store eggs to try and get things down pat and then I keep adding to the list of breeds I want from PapaBrooder! Can't wait.

What do you think is the best, most cost effective incubator? I want one that works well, but $400+ is much more than I want to spend. I'm generally pretty adept at learning new things, but I'm wondering what a good compromise between affordability and function is.

Start off with a Genesis 1588 from GQF. It is one of the best foam incubators and is very easy to use. Get the kit with the auto turner. Later you can move up to one of the bigger or more expensive ones.

Have fun!

 

[chickee]

My daughter Clementine tending the big girls as they scratched around the garden on this sunny Sunday. Mark is at the store picking up lumber to start the coop!! So exciting! You all have seriously given me the hatching fever. I am really wanting to get an incubator and set some eggs. I think I'll start with some grocery store eggs to try and get things down pat and then I keep adding to the list of breeds I want from PapaBrooder! Can't wait.

What do you think is the best, most cost effective incubator? I want one that works well, but $400+ is much more than I want to spend. I'm generally pretty adept at learning new things, but I'm wondering what a good compromise between affordability and function is.

I would suggest the Hovabator Genesis 1588. The new ones have the temp and humidity readout which is a big plus. I see they have the kit (incubator, egg turner and candler for $203.00 + shipping) at Incubator Warehouse) I have the Octagon 20 advance ex for incubating and use the older model Genesis 1588 for hatching.

 

[zooweemama]

To grind or not to grind...I bought 'crimped rolled oats' from the feed store. They seriously look like whole oats or something. Nutrena brand. Usually we get these from a diff store and they look a little different. Can the animals EAT this? Should I run them through my mill first? Will this help them digest it better or get more nutrients from them?

 

[ronott1]

To grind or not to grind...I bought 'crimped rolled oats' from the feed store. They seriously look like whole oats or something. Nutrena brand. Usually we get these from a diff store and they look a little different. Can the animals EAT this? Should I run them through my mill first? Will this help them digest it better or get more nutrients from them?

They eat it fine, but like it better if you wet it first. Gizzards grind them up just fine--like little grinders in each chicken, LOL

 

[zooweemama]

They eat it fine, but like it better if you wet it first. Gizzards grind them up just fine--like little grinders in each chicken, LOL

I have 2 crockpots so it's not a big deal for it. I was thinking of tossing their ration into it on low with some water and then in the morning - putting it out with the days feed ration? Or maybe just oak them overnight in a large bowl and then toss their feed on top in the morning? Hmmm or should I do that in the evening for the extra carbs = warmth?

 

[ronott1]

Quote:
I soak the oats. Give them what they will eat in a morning or early evening. They can safely eat 1/3 to 1/2 of their diet as wheat, oats or other high protein grain.

Saves some feed money too.

 

[liz9910]

Hello chicken peeps!

While I've been a member of BYC for a few years, it's been awhile since I've been "here". Took a bit of a break from incubating and hatching chickens and turkeys, but just set a tray of eggs last Friday.

I'm about midway between Placerville and Jackson and have Midget White and Bourbon Red turkeys, BCM's, Barnevelders, Ameraucanas, and olive eggers. Oh, emus too.

It's great to see so many posts from local people!

Welcome to the thread

 

[gryeyes]

Hello chicken peeps!

While I've been a member of BYC for a few years, it's been awhile since I've been "here". Took a bit of a break from incubating and hatching chickens and turkeys, but just set a tray of eggs last Friday.

I'm about midway between Placerville and Jackson and have Midget White and Bourbon Red turkeys, BCM's, Barnevelders, Ameraucanas, and olive eggers. Oh, emus too.

It's great to see so many posts from local people!

I KNEW you were up here and really close to me, from comments Mary The Sheriff has said elsewhere. Don't want to "out" your actual location, but I bet you're off that road meeting Mt. Aukum Road by the "community" mail boxes, where somebody sometimes puts eggs for sale on an honor system... The intersection is opposite that house on the hill where the residents put up a wonderful light display for Christmas.

I'm within a quarter mile (or less) of Gray's Corner.

 

[debs_flock]

Here are some of my pretty birds

they've began to lay daily and I can't help but hatch or sell every egg so far. Can't bare to eat one lol

Very pretty birds!

I would suggest the Hovabator Genesis 1588.

Couldn't agree more to begin. I have three of them. I love them and they've been running non-stop for over a year now.

Deb

 

[juststruttin]

My daughter Clementine tending the big girls as they scratched around the garden on this sunny Sunday. Mark is at the store picking up lumber to start the coop!! So exciting! You all have seriously given me the hatching fever. I am really wanting to get an incubator and set some eggs. I think I'll start with some grocery store eggs to try and get things down pat and then I keep adding to the list of breeds I want from PapaBrooder! Can't wait.

What do you think is the best, most cost effective incubator? I want one that works well, but $400+ is much more than I want to spend. I'm generally pretty adept at learning new things, but I'm wondering what a good compromise between affordability and function is.

I have three Hova Bator Genesis and they work great. Incubator Warehouse sells them for $195 with and turner. It has a 42 egg capacity. I recently got a Dickey for incubating and will use the Genesis for hatching.

If you want to forego the store eggs, I am in Novato and have some barnyard mix eggs from my layer flock you can give a try. I sell them as eating eggs for $5 per dozen so you can buy them for that price. The layer flock consists of all the breeds I raise and then some so the babies will be mutts since they all live together.