Genesis Hovabator

[Black Cochin Bantams]

I just hatched out 35 chicks for a friend this week for a friend and more are still in the incubator. His expensive incubator just quit and he called me to see if I was hatching. I told him no but I could have some incubators ready in less than 2 hrs. I just plugged in my 2 Genesis units and they were ready for eggs before the eggs got here. I also have an expensive Dickey unit that will do literally hundreds of eggs at a time that is a wonderful incubator. But for quick start up with no worry I have nothing but faith in my Genesis. No knock against any other incubator but I know of no other incubator where you can plug it in and not worry about having to adjust it (ever) for under 200 with the egg turner. A great little incubator and PERFECT for a novice or experienced poultry lover.

 

[AlienChick]

 

[Sphinx]

Good to hear.

I have a Brinsea mini advance, and it's a plug and play unit too. But, it'll only hold 7 eggs at a time. I've been contemplating getting a second, larger incubator, and the genesis is on my list, as well as the Brinsea octogan 20.

 

[my sunwolf]

So glad to hear this, I really need an incubator and have had my eye on the Genesis for a while now...

 

[Black Cochin Bantams]

So glad to hear this, I really need an incubator and have had my eye on the Genesis for a while now...

If there was any issue with it I would say it is the fan which may be annoying if I didn't have it where I can not hear it( basement). Also I need to add water more often than a still air type. Ease of use is biggest plus. Put eggs in it and plug it in.

 

[davony's chicks]

Thanks for the information. I have been looking at these for awhile and just couldn't decide if I should get one. I have 2 of the little giant ones that you just have to fight like crazy with. I can just use them for hatchers.

 

[luvmyEs]

Good to see this. I just got mine in the mail yesterday and can't decide what kind of eggs to put in it yet. One question though. The instructions say to fill the highlighted area with water. It was just the outside square. Should I also fill the inside troughs? I hope I'm making sense with my question.

 

[SweetPeaFarms]

I have a Genesis Hovabator question...I have a brand new Genesis Hovabator. I ran it for a few days to check temp and humidity both being fine. I put eggs in on January 12 and on Jan 21 the fan got much louder. It still seems to be regulating temp and humidity, but my concern is that there is something wrong with the fan or motor. Is this normal??

 

[Ridgerunner]

Good to see this. I just got mine in the mail yesterday and can't decide what kind of eggs to put in it yet. One question though. The instructions say to fill the highlighted area with water. It was just the outside square. Should I also fill the inside troughs? I hope I'm making sense with my question.

What you need to do is get a hygrometer and calibrate it. Then try filling different trays to see the effect. Try it out and get it stabilized before you set eggs. Know what you need to do to adjust the humidity. '

The background humidity affects mine. Sometimes I fill one tray, sometimes two, and sometimes I don't add any water during parts of my incubation. If I run it dry, my humidity inside may be in the teens or it may be in the upper 30's, just depending on the background humidity.

Then when you go into lockdown you'll need to bring the humidity up even more and add water to an additional tray or two. It really does help to experiment with it some before you add eggs so you have a better idea of what you are dealing with.

I did not mention exact humidity to shoot for. It seems that different humidity seem to work for different ones of us. You'd think that the conditions inside the incubator would be the same for all of us, but it doesn't work that way. What I suggest is that you pick something to try. Maybe just fill that one tray they suggest. Be consistent, keep records of the humidity you get, and see what happens. You may get great results or you may need to adjust something. If you are consistent, at least you have a better idea of what to adjust.

I'll give links for calibrating both your instruments.

Calibrate a Thermometer
http://www.allfoodbusiness.com/calibrating_thermometers.php

Rebel’s Thermometer Calibration
http://cmfarm.us/ThermometerCalibration.html

 

[Melabella]

What you need to do is get a hygrometer and calibrate it. Then try filling different trays to see the effect. Try it out and get it stabilized before you set eggs. Know what you need to do to adjust the humidity. '

The background humidity affects mine. Sometimes I fill one tray, sometimes two, and sometimes I don't add any water during parts of my incubation. If I run it dry, my humidity inside may be in the teens or it may be in the upper 30's, just depending on the background humidity.

Then when you go into lockdown you'll need to bring the humidity up even more and add water to an additional tray or two. It really does help to experiment with it some before you add eggs so you have a better idea of what you are dealing with.

I did not mention exact humidity to shoot for. It seems that different humidity seem to work for different ones of us. You'd think that the conditions inside the incubator would be the same for all of us, but it doesn't work that way. What I suggest is that you pick something to try. Maybe just fill that one tray they suggest. Be consistent, keep records of the humidity you get, and see what happens. You may get great results or you may need to adjust something. If you are consistent, at least you have a better idea of what to adjust.

I'll give links for calibrating both your instruments.

Calibrate a Thermometer
http://www.allfoodbusiness.com/calibrating_thermometers.php

Rebel’s Thermometer Calibration
http://cmfarm.us/ThermometerCalibration.html

After reading all these responses, it doesn't seem so plug in and go....Iwould love to try to hatch one days, but hearing all the variables makes me nervous!

MB