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

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Silkie Chick:
I do not mind turning the eggs at all, I like to do it...then I can cluck at them (yes, my husband is sure I am now crazy, my kids think I am normal). I turned between 3 and 5 times a day. Morning is easy because I did it as I got up, then I did lunch and dinner-time most days (we also own a retail shop, so some days I do not get home until after 6:00pm...if I was too late, I just waited until bedtime), and bedtime. So, pretty easy. If you are not home for lunch, turn at dinner and bedtime.

I used different size containters to handle humidity, the one for the first 18 days was about 2.5 inches by 4 inches and 3 inches deep. For the higher humidity, I used a bit larger tub, about the surface size of 3/4 a sandwich. That was easy for me, I used a dual dial for humidty and temp. Can not say I am an expert, or the equipment was pro, but we had good results. This was so much better than the LG.

The temp you set on the thermostat cannot maintain without a trigger, so the temp will often go below set temp several degrees to trigger the heating mechanism again. I tested with our thermometer and ended up setting at about 103-degrees to constantly keep the temp at about 100 degrees. I am noticing now the temp is lower on the bottom, too. My new babies are still in there, we are hoping to slip them under a broody tonight.

I bought mine on Ebay for $150 with free shipping. On Thinkgeek, I believe the shipping is $25.00 or something close. If anyone has a retail license or resale permit, I have the wholesale information (but the cost is not amazingly low). The Thinkgeek bator is an older model and the buttons are reversed and the door not as large as the one we have. I am sure it works just as well.

Did that answer those questions! Also, I made some serious mistakes that I need to warn everyone about. This is getting too long and I have to close up the coop. but I will mention all this later! Promise.

Take Care!
 
MY MISTAKES WITH THE REPTI-GEEK-THINK-FRIDGE-A-BATOR

Overall, I had alot of fun with this unit. The only other I tried was a borrowed LG and I did not like it at all.

I made major mistakes that I need to warn everyone about:

1.) The air flow, I posted about and thought and thought about and read....and by the time my babies were pipping and zipping and I realized they may need more oxygen once breaking their own air bubble by pipping. I seriously freaked and drilled two holes in the top of the fridge door. Since it is double paned with plexiglass, I did not want the space between the two sheets of plexiglass cooling down the entire front of the unit, so I inserted clear medical tubing. I am glad I did this, with all the talk about how bad it is to open during lock-down...I could not consider opening and closing the door...BUT....
2.) By 1:30 am I had a pip and zip hatching. Poor slippery fuzz ball hatched, and I did not think to put anything down over the one-inch grid work of that top shelf. The chick would not fall through, but could have trapped its floppy neck or something. So, I OPENED the unit, picked up every egg and worked down a regular paper towel for the little peeps when they hatch. I grabbed what was clean, safe, and close....a paper towel. However, have something more substantial ready when you lock down. The damp and the hatch goo and their sharp toes could have easily poked big holes. That rubbery shelf liner stuff that is a weave with breathe holes may be good, so humidity and air can flow up. Maybe even a linen napkin or something.
3.) Then my second chick hatched and kept coming towards me since I have been clucking to them for three weeks. It could have been trapped between the top shelf and door, there is a gap there. SO I OPENED THE UNIT AGAIN for a good minute or so and inserted a paper towel roll that I dampened a bit. This squishes in just perfect between the shelf and the fridge door. And you can see over it. SO, if your eggs are on the top, watch that gap between the shelf and door.
4.) Please don't judge me on this silly stuff, I am learning and had about a million other things going on and did not think out the hatch well. I usually let them pip and zip and then put them under an eager broody. Anyhow, I am sharing just in case anybody else may not think about these obvious issues. With all this said, I don't see why you can't open the door quickly each day for oxygen (instead of drilling for it like I did) since I had that thing open twice at the worst times possible and for much longer than a quick open and close.
5.) The unit held great humidity and temp. In the beginning, you just need to figure where to set it on the thermostat so that the trigger temp is not below an acceptable temp for hatching. I set mine at 102 or 103 degrees. I did not have an awesome thermometer, but it read at 100 the entire time, very steadily. My chicks ALL hatched between day 19 and early on day 20. So, maybe I was a little hot?

SO, have something ready for the shelf at lock-down. The shelf grid is the perfect size for holding the fat egg butts up in the first 18 days, but the holes are too big for hatching.

Have a damp paper towel roll-core ready for lock-down so you can block that gap between top shelf and door.

Other than that, it really was an easy incubation. I am very happy with the results. I am thinking of getting a Brinsea, too....they look awesome. But, I will still use this one, it was pleasant and now I know what to expect at the end.

Also, I kept my chicks in the bottom part on a dish towel covered with a heavy-duty paper towel to throw away when dirty (after the hatch). All chicks are still living and seem healthy, I have moved them to a broody hen. They did seem to want a mama.

GOOD LUCK EVERYBODY, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
 
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The one think geek sent me is the newer model with the same larger window and button placement as the repti pro, its an identical unit (other than no repti pro sticker)

If you look in their customer action shots it shows some that are the newer model, think geek just needs to update the stock photos.

http://www.thinkgeek.com/homeoffice/gear/6ad2/action/212f9dc/

In testing mine I ended up having to use a short babyfood jar for proper humidity, but our relative humidity has been ridiculous due to the rains followed by an immediate warm spell.

So if you use one its good to test various containers since humidity can vary so much from one area to another.
 
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I DID NOT think of that. We are in the ARID, HIGH, VERY DRY, desert. So, if you get rain, often....do not use my suggestions on the water container.
Thank you for posting that. Good luck...I hope it is a healthy hatch. Also, I am glad you got the bigger door....it is fun to watch the action with the light on.
 
Success!
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I had my first 2 out of 4 eggs hatch this morning using the Reptipro (or ChickiePro) incubator! The other 2 peeped at me and are moving, so hopefully by tomorrow. I don't care that ReptiPro went and stuck their label on it or that it is really a "fridge". We got ours off of Ebay (from the ReptiPro people) for less with shipping than ThinkGeek.com. It works! I love it and I can't wait to get it back home! My daughter's classroom is now the talk of the school and supervisory union (in the same building).
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I will try to get pictures up tomorrow! 2 tiny tiny Silkie/Cochin mixes with a Barred Rock and a Salmon Faverolle bantam on the way!
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BTW...no air holes made...just opened the door 2-3 times a day to allow for air transfer. Worked like a charm!
 
THAT IS WONDERFUL! Post pics when you can. What a great unit for a classroom.

Now, I am bit bummed that I drilled holes in my door. Oh well, my panic...others will benefit.

Actually, I think I paid more than you AND I put holes in my front door. BUT...I still love it and do not mind the price. My 8 Frizzle Cochins are still going strong and starting to show their curly feathers on their wings.

I hope the entire experience turns out great, especially with all the kids watching.

HAPPY EASTER!
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I still think we did well.......3 out of 4 eggs hatched and the chicks came home with me this afternoon. Of course, the one that started to hatch (had a hole and you could see the little beak moving) died and she came home with me and my daughter and is now buried under our lilac trees. That was the Barred Rock.
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I took her out of her shell and she was bleeding where the cord was still attached and it looked like maybe the yolk went in, but it didn't seal properly. I just hope it wasn't me when I had to move the egg over to get the chicks that hatched so I could put them in the brooder.
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But, my daughter's preschool class LOVED the whole experience and now my little babies have been accepted, it appears, by my 2 broody Silkie hens that have been laying on eggs for over 2 weeks. It was daytime, but they perked right up to the chirping and allowed all 3 to burrow under.
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The black Silkie hen, named Mae, gives a good peck at your hands if you go near them. It's so cute, because these 2 hens have been sharing a "nest" and if one gets up the other steals the eggs and vise versa.
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I am SOOOOO happy to have my incubator back!! I have 6 other eggs that have been in the darn piece of crap Styrofoam bator. Very frustrating!

Happy Easter to everyone!
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I see they have these on ebay with the option of one or two egg turners now. Has anyone had any experience with this incubator WITH the turners they have now?
 
Okay, impatient as I am, I ordered one of these with two egg turners.

Looks like I might be about the first person to report on it. I should have it in less than a week. In the meantime I'll be saving eggs.
 

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