Comparing Brinsea Advanced and Hova-Bator 1583 picture window

[geniash]

Agree that I should have compared with a pre-set model 1588. While may not be a comparison but a side-by-side incubation and my own observations. As I mentioned the quality of quail rails are not what I expected and I probably received an odd item. Never the less I am not giving up and will invest in 1588. Price of Brinsea and Hova-Bator with egg turner are the same (within $10 difference) on amazon.

 

[eHuman]

I loved what everyone was saying about the Brinsea, I even have their eco20 brooder and love it. It was the price and capacity that leaned me over to the Genesis. I got mine from Incubator Warehouse because it was less expensive than Amazon. I don't like IC's universal egg turner for the Genesis though (saved $$$ by getting it instead of the OEM turner). It cracked a few of my eggs but I am sure had I had jumbo eggs it would have been fine. The smaller standard cot eggs would sometimes catch and spin.

This hatch I am hand turning with much better success.

Since I know what channel to fill for my geographic location, it has been plug and play, temp and humidity have been spot on for 10 days. I'm not anal about rotating, 4-5 times a day I place both open hands over the eggs and move them all at once. Yeah some get more some less.

Good luck with your hatches, look forward to seeing it through with you.

 

[geniash]

Day 12. With 12 days behind me I got the daily routine to a minimum. A single look into the bator tells me what I need to do, if any.
Setup 1. Brinsea Mini Advance. Saw some eggs wiggle - yay! Wasn't sure if that was from a fan, so I removed the top part with fan and eggs were still wiggling. Getting reeeeeeeally excited.
Setup 2. Hova-Bator Picture Window model 1583. Adjusted thermostat a bit down. Humidity is spot on at 48%.

Spent some time to setup 2 brooders. I have no idea how many will hatch out of 50 eggs but I plan to keep about 20 chicks (+/-5) in each brooder.

 

[geniash]

Day 13 & 14. No major things happening. Going to put both bators in lockdown at the end of today.
Setup 1. Brinsea Mini Advance. Eggs are not only moving, they rock 'n roll in there. I haven't seen such active embryos. They are on some steroids or something. Going to fill both water reservoirs and remove egg tray. I use non-slip kitchen cabinet cover under the eggs.
Setup 2. Hova-Bator Picture Window model 1583. Since I had no prior experience with this one in order toup humidity I'll try filling reservoirs #1 and #3 to start with and see where humidity lands. Also should I put eggs on a plastic wire cloth or put the same non-slip kitchen cabinet thingy?

 

[eHuman]

Because of my location slot 2 for incubation, 2 and 3 for lockdown. I also put the spongy shelf liners in, they work great, wash well but are cheap enough to toss after hatch if you don't want to deal with it.

My 56 go on lockdown tonight.

Good luck with the babies!

 

[geniash]

Thanks eHuman, very helpful. Good luck with your babies as well!

Day 15. Both incubators are in a lockdown. Maintaining humidity of 65-70%, stopped turning.
Setup 1. Brinsea Mini Advance. Humidity is around 70%.
Setup 2. Hova-Bator Picture Window model 1583. Filled reservoirs #1 and #3, that gives 71% humidity in my conditions.

 

[geniash]

Day 16. I think the hardest part in all of this is the waiting game of the last couple days. At lease I start double guessing myself whether I did everything right, maintained the right temp and humidity, avoided spikes, purchased good eggs, etc. Been there twice by now. 2 more days until they start popping like popcorn.

Setup 1. Brinsea Mini Advance. Humidity was around 70% and dropped overnight to 58%. Topped off water reservoir, going to monitor closely today and add more water if needed in a separate container.
Setup 2. Hova-Bator Picture Window model 1583. Was playing with the humidity numbers and ended up filling water reservoirs #1, 2, and 3. Humidity is at 71% and stays pretty stable. Had to adjust thermostat toward an increase as well. All seems well!

 

[Binki]

I'm "eggcited" for you

!! Good call on the two brooders, my experience has been negative with more than 25 chicks with one heat source, they tend to weaken/trample/suffocate other chicks even if there's ample heat (I like to put small stuffed animals or fluffy rolled up sock to break up the chick horde under the heat) and if they get spooked, all hell breaks loose

 

[eHuman]

I'm "eggcited" for you

!! Good call on the two brooders, my experience has been negative with more than 25 chicks with one heat source, they tend to weaken/trample/suffocate other chicks even if there's ample heat (I like to put small stuffed animals or fluffy rolled up sock to break up the chick horde under the heat) and if they get spooked, all hell breaks loose

I grew out 42 to three weeks in a 2' x 4' brooder. I used a Brinsea EcoGlow 20 brooder and a 75w infrared light next to each other at one end.

 

[geniash]

Binki I think it may have been your post here on BYC that made me consider 2 brooders. They are both 1.5x2 and will be good for growing 20 chicks in each.

Day 17. A lot has happened overnight! According to a breeder I got a variety of colors, majority are browns, some silvers, and some pharaoh. Looking forward to see what hatches.

Setup 1. Brinsea Mini Advance. Humidity is at 66%. About half of the eggs have piped yesterday. Getting really really excited!
Setup 2. Hova-Bator Picture Window model 1583. Both humidity and temp are holding steady - 71% humidity and 100 F. Can't see any that piped but I can hear them chirping. I see some eggshell on the bottom tray, so at least one has piped. A lot of movement as well. Almost there!

p.s. Both brooders are running with infrared light and are ready to accept new residents, food is prepped (grinded), and I stacked on Sav-a-chick probiotic. It really does make a difference for them and minimizes smell. In my view probiotics introduce good flora to the intestines and this is where a bulk of immune system comes from. Healthy babies, healthy flock.

Edit: While I went to grab some coffee, 2 chicks hatched in Setup 2. Hova-Bator wins! Considering the fact that eggs went into it half a day later as compared to Brinsea, I am very impressed. I suspect I'm going to be very busy parent today...