Help on first incubator

[davedavey]

Need to have some Ideas on a good tabletop model with turner for under $200? Or just a little over. I am looking at the hova bator 1588. I will mostly be hatching quail eggs, but will do some chicken eggs also at different times. Thanks for any advice. Dave

 

[alaskanchickens]

A lot of people say that hova bators are difficult to set the temperature and keep it there. I have 2 of them, same model as what your looking at and I love them! Once you get the wafer turned to where it's within a few degrees of where you want it you just make small, quarter turns until its stable. The temp will fluctuate some, usually around 1 degree, but you tighten the wire nut and usually will not have to mess with it much on later batches. Good luck!

 

[blucoondawg]

I have a farm innovators model it is a styro foam 42 egg model with turner, it has white plastic over the foam on the outside which I like for added durability. It seems to hold temp fine so far it will vary a degree or so from time to time however right now my room temp is fluctuating some as well and could be part of the reason. Only bad thing is the built in thermometer hygrometer aren't trustworthy but I would prefer to use a secondary thermometer on any incubator.

I think much of the problem with the temp fluctuation in these small incubators is lack of thermal mass, I am only doing a half batch of eggs so there is only half the intended thermal mass, I think it would be helpful to add thermal mass in the form of water in bags or even fake eggs in the open spots on the turner as this may help hold the temp more steady, my next batch will be a full load and I am going to try to add thermal mass in addition to the eggs.

 

[JWEBB]

I have a farm innovators model it is a styro foam 42 egg model with turner, it has white plastic over the foam on the outside which I like for added durability. It seems to hold temp fine so far it will vary a degree or so from time to time however right now my room temp is fluctuating some as well and could be part of the reason. Only bad thing is the built in thermometer hygrometer aren't trustworthy but I would prefer to use a secondary thermometer on any incubator.

I think much of the problem with the temp fluctuation in these small incubators is lack of thermal mass, I am only doing a half batch of eggs so there is only half the intended thermal mass, I think it would be helpful to add thermal mass in the form of water in bags or even fake eggs in the open spots on the turner as this may help hold the temp more steady, my next batch will be a full load and I am going to try to add thermal mass in addition to the eggs.

I agree, heat sinks seem to keep temp stable.

 

[JWEBB]

A lot of people say that hova bators are difficult to set the temperature and keep it there. I have 2 of them, same model as what your looking at and I love them! Once you get the wafer turned to where it's within a few degrees of where you want it you just make small, quarter turns until its stable. The temp will fluctuate some, usually around 1 degree, but you tighten the wire nut and usually will not have to mess with it much on later batches. Good luck!

This is my time too I just put eggs in my homemade coolerbator with the GQF wafer. I followed the directions to start out and its working perfect. LOVE THAT THING. steady temp... once it got where it needed to be.

 

[JWEBB]

Need to have some Ideas on a good tabletop model with turner for under $200? Or just a little over. I am looking at the hova bator 1588. I will mostly be hatching quail eggs, but will do some chicken eggs also at different times. Thanks for any advice. Dave

There is a Hovabator 1610 with egg turner on Ebay for BUY IT NOW at 69$ These are still air. I have one coming and I'll put a computer fan in it.

Well what I want tho is a Brinsea mini advance or Octagon.. THOSE ARE FREAKING NICE and in the $200 range.