GQF hatcher

[patti'speeps]

I recently purchased a 1200 series GQF Hatcher. It is used and I was wondering if anyone had ever used one and if there is anything in particular I should know about it . I haven't gotten it yet it's on it's way from Iowa. Any information would be helpful, thanks.

 

[Jennmom2three]

Can I ask what you paid for it? I have a guy about 2 hours away that wants $300 for his...the door isn't see through though

 

[calgal98]

You can probably buy the door after market through GQF

 

[Jennmom2three]

do you think $300 is a good price? it has 3 trays and automatic turner. Missing the bottom tray

 

[calgal98]

You could probably buy the bottom tray too, with its lid.. But by the time you do all of that, you might just as well buy a new one. The upper trays can be used below if you can create a hatch lid. I did that with some hardware cloth. worked great.

 

[Jennmom2three]

I am just having issues justifying spending that much money. I really want enough hens that lay to sell eggs. Right now I have 13 or so hens. I have two LG with installed pc fans. One has a turner and one doesn't, that way I can have a hatcher.

 

[flyweed]

$300 for a GQF cabinet anything is a really good price. I'd buy it for that.

 

[Jennmom2three]

Quote:
Only other negative is that it would take 3 hours to drive to get it....

 

[jvls1942]

an add on plexiglas door is about $80.. Nice to have, but not necessary ..

you can go and purchase some rigid plastic egg holders for that unit.. I hardly ever use my metal trays anymore..
I think Culvers has the plastic trays.. many chickn supply atalog have them.. shop around for the best price.. make sure they are the rigid plastic ones.. there is also a softer style, which I have also.. but you need to have trays to put those into.. or else they sag..

the rigid ones have 2 posts on 2 opposite sides which enable you to stack them.. a handy feature when you are saving eggs to hatch..

I removed the two outside rows of pockets from a couple of mine so that I can even stack them in the inubator.. that increases the capacity to almost double of the normal 24 doz.
If I remember correctly it adds 18 dozen more.. much cheaper than buying a second bator..