"Circulated Air Fan Kit" - Is it worth the money?

[Cowgirl71]

I'm wanting to purchase another bator, and am wondering if I should pay the extra $ for the fan kit. It claims that it will help eliminate the hot/cold spots in the bator (thus shortening the hatching time, right?). Currently my hatch lasts about 72-84 hours. I really would like it to be done in 24-36 hours. Would a fan kit do this? Would the fan maybe produce a higher hatch rate? I'm also concerned about it lowering the humidity. Will it? Thank you in advance for your help!

 

[Glitterik]

I bought a wafer type incubator with turner and set my eggs during a cold snap. It was really tough keeping the temperature accurate, it kept swinging back and forth as the temperature outside fluctuated. My second incubator is the preset temperature type and I love it. And of course the hatches are better now. All I have to worry about is humidity, and that is not the constant adjustment battle that I had with the wafer-style incubator. I put the turner in the new incubator and use the wafer-incubator as a brooder. It actually makes a great brooder! Eventually you will sell enough eggs or chicks to pay for the better incubator, so why not?

 

[Illia]

Which incubator are you wanting to use it for? I'm not really sure about Little Giants, as I bought one for it because of my constant 0% hatch rate, cold pockets, and even humidity pockets - But it didn't work. And I wasted a lot of money.

In general though, forced air fans are always a must in my opinion. I find that my forced air incubator is far more perfect than my still air. My still air gets cold and hot pockets as well as humid and arid pockets, and I just never seem to get anything hatch out of it. . .

 

[katharinad]

There is only one thing you need to know about the fan: Never put eggs directly under the fan.
Katharina

 

[ColbyNTX]

I have used a LG with and without the fan and they both work great but the temp seems to be easier to regulate with the fan. You do have to have it in a room that doesn't get sunlight and if the room changes 6-8 degs everyday then ithe thing will drive you crazy. I have gatched as few as 6 eggs to 42 eggs in one with all of my hatches 95-100%. I use a Dickey's cabinet bator now but I kept my LG for emergencys. I don't think it will have all your hatches through in 48 hours but it will make your life easier for 21 days.

 

[4-H chicken mom]

I am a fan of the fan.

 

[Cowgirl71]

Thank you all! I do have Little Giant 9200 bators (they're all the feedstore has). I average about 20-30 chicks out of 48 eggs (which are 100% fertile

). Anyway, one more question: How much better is a GQF 1602N vs. a Little Giant 9200? Is the GQF worth the extra $ to ship it???

 

[_Randall_]

I personally think it is well worth the money. I've got a LG, and knew from reading all the testimonies on here that a fan and egg turner were essential if you want the best results. So, I got both. My temp only fluctuates about 1.8 degrees, and I contribute that to the fan. I look at it this way, it's kinda like my kitchen / den area where my wood-burning insert is. I've got a ceiling fan right out in front and above the heater. If it's really cold, and I've got a good hot fire going in the heater.......and the blower fans are on, it does a fair job of heating the area. BUT, when I run the ceiling fan on medium, it takes that heat that "naturally" goes to the ceiling, and re-distributes it to a uniform level all over the area.......as well as into the other rooms. Make sense? Anyway, that's just my 2¢ worth.........

 

[panner123]

You do not need to spend the money on a fan kit. Jus use an old computer fan. At most you will spend a few dollars for one. Remember to install it with the air going up. That way it is not blowing right on the eggs and evens out the temp.

 

[_Randall_]

I got this one.......... http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Circulated-...tem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e5ad1bb0e ......... A little cheaper than the LG kit. Installs in a snap.