Hova-Bator incubator question--Does the fan make a big difference?

[mom2chicksandpups]

My husband and I are about to buy a Hova-Bator and start hatching our own eggs. We think this will be fun for us and my young daughter. I have decided on the Hova-Bator because I can buy it locally and I have read good reviews of it.

My question is--does the more expensive model with the fan really make a difference as far as egg hatching rates or anything else? We can't decide between the cheaper one, which is supposed to have even heating, or the more expensive with the fan. I am inexperienced at this, so thought you guys might could offer your advice/opinions. If it makes a big difference, it's worth the extra money.

Thank you!

 

[TaLani]

Get the fan for certain. It'll elimnate the hot spots so you don't need to continuously move the eggs around so they don't get fried. JMHO

 

[mom2chicksandpups]

Thanks! That's what I needed to know. I have never done this, so I didn't really know what kind of difference the fan would make.

 

[robbobbin]

I used a still air bator for several seasons-hand turning and had excellent hatch rates.
But I decided a fan would be better(everyone said so) so I converted a PC case fan into a bator fan and screwed it in. It was FREE from an old computer case. (still got excellent hatch rates)

I found rolling (as method of hand turning) worked best in my still air bator because the eggs were moved around positions 3 times a day.

 

[TaLani]

When it comes to HB's, the 1588 (auto heat setting & full viewing window) is the mack daddy, but the 1583 (have to set heat & full viewing window) & 2362 (have to set heat & 2 small windows) are good as well.

 

[chickenlittle32]

I have the 2362 model and I absolutely love it. Easy to set and never fluctuates. (so far...knocking on wood..hoping its real wood) lol

Good luck!

 

[TaLani]

I have all 3 that I mentioned above & don't have a problem with any of them.

 

[LoveMyBirds]

Quote:
Yes, the fan makes it a lot better.. If you can afford the $188 for the Hova-1588 with turner, it's electronic which I do not have.. This should work great for the beginner..

But if you're budget minded here's what I did on my 3rd bator.

If you can wait a week before setting, I just bought my 3rd (Hova-bator 1582) from here: Big window and cheap..

http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/reptile-supplies/reptile-incubators/

then I bought 2 Sunon fans (110volt) from here: $15..ea.

http://www.buyextras.com/suac1180fanw.html

one fan for each incubator that didn't have a fan..

I added a 22 Ohm resister inline on hot wire to cut the speed down.. I blows a little hard without one.

 

[pascopol]

Brinsea 20 ECO beats the pants of all styrobators. it is on sale now for $99.

By the way, no extra charge for fan it is built in.

Many people on this board bought it lately and they couldn't be happier just read the threads.

 

[Chicksdigit]

I didn't know about the 1588 I bought the Little Giant from a local feed store and it was a still air and after reading on this website I installed a case fan from an old computer, my first hatch is hatching today so far I have 15 out of 32 eggs hatched. If I could do it over I would have bought a Genesis Hovabator 1588 because of the constant fiddling with the temps. I like the idea of add water and eggs and Viola' .....Chickies in 21 days.