Can I use a Reptile Incubator for Chicken Eggs (Reptipro5000)

[ChicknCharm]

I did find out how to add humidity, just with a tray at the bottom. I have purchased an indoor temp/humidity dial type device to track that. I have the same one in our little giant incubator right now. I wonder how cheap these things are without the Reptipro name...maybe when the unit gets here I can check for the manufacturer name. As long as it works, I still have fits trying to get constant temperature with that creepy little dial on the Little Giant. I like the turner, though.
THANK YOU for looking and posting. I will put up pictures and let everyone know how it works...also if I can find the units for $50 somewhere else as a mini-fridge.

 

[brkuk]

Yeah I have been looking to get the reptipro. It is a mini fridge/warmer. So far I found it for $99-$300. Here it is for $99.


http://www.thinkgeek.com/homeoffice/gear/6ad2/

same thing different name. What to do?

 

[ChicknCharm]

If you can wait, my "reptipro" geek fridge should be here in a day or two and I will look for a manufacturer name. Then, I will contact them to find out the wholesale price and minimum order. I have a tax ID, so maybe we can buy a box of them for whoever is interested. But, first, let me figure if it works! I am just looking for something more easy to monitor than the styrofoam ones (for less than $250 - $300). We are using a little giant right now and seems so difficult to open, add water, etc. And the temperature is really not easy to keep constant or set in the first place. I lost two days trying to get it right.

 

[bel]

please do let us know how it goes, that would be awesome. I might be interested in getting one myself.

 

[ChicknCharm]

Hello Again, All:
The unit came today. It is all plastic on the outside, but is not too cheapo-crappo. I set it to 100 degrees and it took about 10 minutes to get that high. The unit sort of kicks on and off maintaining that temp. Since it is digital you see all fluctuations, it goes to 99 then revs up for a bit...on and off. It is very quiet. It has a fan. The "manual" made to go with it is a pc reprint, done with incubating in mind (and not keeping your Mountain Dew cold and soup warm). It reads that you can expect a variation of 2 degrees F. That is from top of unit (where temp is measured) to bottom of unit. So, consider that. There are slots already in the unit so you can tilt the one shelf at 30 degrees easily. Eggs would need to be secured as you do jostle it to re-secure the shelf.

There is a catch tray in the bottom that will work for water for humidity. It needs something to measure humidity. I use a dial type indoor temp/humidity thing from the local True Value. It is big enough to see the read outs from the back of our Little Giant unit (and should work the same on this).

I have found the manufacturer and emailed to get the wholesale price. I paid $150 with free shipping on Ebay with the unit called a "reptipro". The label is computer printed clear stick-on label.

So, I am going to watch it for a day, maybe order some more eggs from BYC friends and try to hatch. I will post again with wholesale pricing and then a "minimum" purchase amount. If it works well, we can take a tally of anyone interested in getting wholesale "eggripro" incubators or "chicknipro"...

At first impression: it is a cute unit with pretty blue lights...it is not as super small as I thought. It could probably hold 6 bottles of wine standing up with no shelf. It is quiet...looks nice seems more easy to use than the stryro-jobs.

 

[dovecanyon]

Thanks for the good description, and for contacting the mfg. We'll be waiting for an update as soon as you have one! I have been looking at these for a while now...

 

[ChicknCharm]

Hi All!
I have one more concern with this unit. Since it is a hot-cold mini fridge (and we all know not to play hide and seek in an old fridge)...is there enough oxygen air flow for chicken eggs?

I have the temp and humidity worked out. It seems to work well on those two points.

If we open it three to four times a day to turn eggs, is that enough to keep oxygen levels safe? There is a fan blowing about in there, just like in a fridge.

Also, I found out the wholesale for the units is $80.00...I don't know how the one geek-think site is selling them for $99.00. The order minimun is only two units. Do not know shipping prices, but will find that out next. Maybe the units are cheaper if you buy six to ten. I will ask all that after figuring out this oxygen thing.

So...what about oxygen? Any pointers, suggestions? Please advise. I did post this question seperately as a new string, but did not have answers on it yet.

THANKS AGAIN

 

[bel]

I don't know, I'm no expert (noob to incubating) but the suro incubator here has only a tiny hole you can open and close, and its self turning so its not opened as much, so I would think the bigger fridge would have more air in it especially being opened and closed (if t does need air you could always drill a hole in the door or trim off a section of the seal.)

 

[ChicknCharm]

Hey Everbody...I have my thermo and humidity monitor in the Little Giant incubator and the hardware store has no more. So, I have not been able to post any new details. It is holding its temp, and it did great on the humidity the first entire night. I just switched from a sandwich size plastic container for water to about a half cup size thing. The humidity was up to 75%. I have frizzle eggs coming from Ilovefrizzles and we may put them in the "chikipro". I will take photos and send details when I can monitor everything. Happy Friday!

 

[MagsC]

That does look like an interesting incubator! Please keep us updated on the hatch because I am thinking about getting one eventually.