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correct tray size for silkies in an incubator

Discussion in 'Incubating & Hatching Eggs' started by meriruka, Feb 23, 2008.

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  1. Feb 23, 2008 #1
    meriruka

    meriruka Songster

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    I was thinking about buying one of those R-com 3 egg incubators. I'd like to hatch standard eggs and silkie eggs as well .(Not at the same time)
    I am not brave enough to get a bigger incubator because: I don't want 20 chick deaths at a shot on my conscience until I get the hang of it, I don't have $500 laying around and I don't have the kind of lifestyle that would enable me to sit next to the thing playing with thermometers & hygrometers all day. I am wondering if I should buy the optional 7 small egg tray for the silkie eggs. The product description says that this tray is for quail eggs or smaller. Which is fine if you have ever actually seen a quail egg and know how big it is compared to a silkie egg.
    Has anyone used one of these incubators and hatched silkie eggs in it? Is it a good incubator?
    Thanks!
     
  2. Feb 23, 2008 #2
    allen wranch

    allen wranch Crowing Premium Member

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    I had not seen one before your post. Those are cool !

    Since the unit has a turner and the small egg tray is available, I would get it. It may make a difference during incubation.
     
  3. Feb 23, 2008 #3
    meriruka

    meriruka Songster

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    Well, I suppose it couldn't hurt to have a smaller tray, in case some fertile quail eggs roll by...
     
  4. Feb 23, 2008 #4
    Poison Ivy

    Poison Ivy Songster

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    I think they are pricey for a unit that small. Unless you found a good deal on it. I would just buy the hova bator 1588 that has the preset temps it's the same price with a turner. That way later on you might just want to hatch a few more or larger eggs that won't fit in the r-com mini. The pictures I've seen of it show button quail eggs in it. Those are the size of a bumble bee. But I would call and talk to a customer service person they should be able to tell you the size eggs the 7 egg tray will hold. Good Luck & Happy Hatching
     
    Last edited: Feb 23, 2008
  5. Feb 23, 2008 #5
    Wildsky

    Wildsky Wild Egg!

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    Yeah the hova is a little cheaper than the r-com for sure.

    I have the 1588 Genesis, still busy with my first batch of eggs, and its going really well. I turn by hand, and add water once a day to keep the humidity up - the hova does the rest...

    Edit to add: not sure I've seen an r-com 3... sounds really small!
     
    Last edited: Feb 23, 2008
  6. Feb 23, 2008 #6
    silkiechicken

    silkiechicken Staff PhD Premium Member

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    I agree, get a bigger bator and just put in jars of water to act as a heat sink to help stabilize temps. It will be much better in the long run. You can put three or 40 eggs in. What's bad is if you put in three eggs, one is infertile and one doesn't make it...
     

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