Hatchrite Incubator...

[birdogs]

I am looking at picking up a two door hatchrite incubator. I don't know if it is in working condition yet as I have just seen pictures. One thing I am sure it is missing is the egg rollers. I intend to use it for chicken and pheasant sized eggs. Is there a place that I can buy the blue egg rollers? Since I understand the company is out of business now, if you can't buy those anywhere has anyone ever tried to make the rollers out of something like pvc? Any info will help. Thanks in advance.

 

[EmuChemainusBC]

Check out Kevin McCoy http://mithrack.serveftp.net/hatchrite/manual/

 

[birdogs]

So here is an update. I did get this picked up yesterday. Got it home plugged it in and have both upper and lower units warming up. Decided to shut it down and wait until I have time to get it cleaned up good before doing more testing. It seems to set up more for hatching than incubating. Like I said there is no rollers. There are only 2 drawers and several stainless steel baskets that I could be seen as hatching baskets. Does anyone know if there were units sold as hatchers back in the 90's? All the controls are there for roll test ect but there isn't anything that moves when those buttons are pushed. I did print of the manual that Kevin has on his website so that will be a great help when I start learning how to set this thing up.

 

[dboranch]

Does anyone know where I can download a users manual for a Hatchrite incubator? I just bought a single door 2 tray unit recently but all the links for information &/or parts do not work.

Thank you in advance,
Jennie

 

[paul manna]

Sure no problem: http://idk.serveftp.net/Hatchrite/Manual/

Enjoy

i can not access to the website?
my uper unit does not heat up ... maybe fuse?
i try to change it but i dont know how

 

[Tstehly]

Ok guys, we all have the challenge associated with large eggs whether they are Emu or Ostrich. For new units we ostrich guys have limited choices: 9 eggs in a 700.00 GQF Sportsman, 8k USD to Natureform for a 50 egg capacity, deal direct with China a la Alibaba (not recommended), CraigsList, eBay, and a small number used incubator guys.

All of us ratite people have observed eggs in the nest, how the hens and sometimes males roll them around. Notice they don't sit air pocket up. Like the birds on my farm, the only time the eggs are up in the air is when they come out of the hen's bum.

I have always loved the idea that Hatchrite came out with using rollers 20 years ago. Eggs are incubated on their sides and rolled every hour or 2 hours, whatever your preference. Just like nature intended

The problem with Hatchrites is simple. The company is long gone. They have parts that are proprietary to the machine. You have to go on a hunt or get Skydver here to help you. He's the resident uber expert on this forum and in probably the entire country. He's got a website that lists parts and techniques with respect to repair, replacement, etc. Great read if you have a Hatchrite by the way.

But the quality of the machines is INSANE. Stainless steel insides make it a snap to disinfect. The motors and fans are overbuilt. Double heating elements. Tests, alarms, humidity controllers are all second to none. These machines were FEATURE rich and very very easy to use/service.

Well I got lucky. I found a seller on eBay with zero feedback, one picture, and a 2 line description. But the picture spoke a thousand words and there was a sign on the machine. It said "New Hatchrite. Owners Manual Inside". Yeah right. So I sent the guy a message, he sent back his number. They are a salvage yard, non-profit and take tons of donations in and then use the proceeds to benefit the community. Ok no problem, take some pictures. So he did. And did my jaw hit the ground!

Original Mercury thermos still in their sealed tubes. Fans still in their shipping boxes... sealed. Owners manual for both the machine and the controller modules in a three ring binder... no wear. No wear on the controls. No discoloration of metal in the heating element. No scars on the cabinet, scratches anywhere, glass was clean, 7 rollers per tray, no wear on the turning motor assemblies.

So I bought it... for 750.00 and then paid 500.00 to have it safely delivered. And OMG when it was delivered my jaw hit the ground AGAIN. This thing holds 100 ostrich eggs. Was literally brand new. Everything was there. The bands for the turning apparatus was dry rotted. I had a new set + 6 overnighted to me. Changed them out. Disinfected it. Plugged it in after putting the fans on. Crossed my fingers. And boom! 5 minutes later it was stuck on 97.5. I loaded the first compartment up with eggs. And now I've got 38 days before my first hatch with it.

If anyone else uses a Hatchrite, I'd love to hear about your experiences with it!

I know this years later but I just dugout an “old” families hatchrite and looking for the bands so it can turn. Know of a place to get them? Or what to use? Thank you!

 

[Gill-b]

I know this years later but I just dugout an “old” families hatchrite and looking for the bands so it can turn. Know of a place to get them? Or what to use? Thank you!

Hi there


I see that you joined yesterday - welcome to the Backyard Chickens forum.


This thread that we are on now is from May 2013; and the person that you are asking questions of has not been active on BYC since Sep 2016, so unfortunately I doubt you will get a response from them.

I suggest you start your own new thread as new threads get better responses.

Hope this helps.

 

[Kevin McCoy]

Hi guys. My Hatchrite website has a new address:

Hatchrite Incubators - free documentation and advice

The site holds all the information I know about Hatchrite incubators, including manuals, videos, part numbers and manufacturers of HR parts, programming - you name it.

 

[Kevin McCoy]

Hi there


I see that you joined yesterday - welcome to the Backyard Chickens forum.


This thread that we are on now is from May 2013; and the person that you are asking questions of has not been active on BYC since Sep 2016, so unfortunately I doubt you will get a response from them.

I suggest you start your own new thread as new threads get better responses.

Hope this helps.

I am back. My web site address (URL) changed when I moved to a new state. My Hatchrite web site still exists and I update it from time to time. See my post in this thread for the new URL.