HovaBator deluxe?

azure_

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So I've been incubator browsing for a while now... and the one that I think will work good for me is the HovaBator deluxe. Any good or bad
experiences with this incubator? Would love to know. I want to use it for hatching chicks and ducklings for the most part.
 
I've had such bad luck with Hovabators and poor customer service from GQF that I can't recommend them at all. I use Brinsea exclusively but have been shopping around for a hatcher/ nursery brooder and have read many good reviews about RCom.

A few suggestions from my experience: Styrofoam is impossible to keep clean and sanitized. A manual (wafer) thermostat has to be constantly checked when there are temperature fluctuations in the room. Your best bet is to start with a plastic incubator that is digital to keep incubation temperature steady without much fluctuation. External water top off is great too. Be sure the company has good reviews and not just the incubator. Best wishes.
 
Assuming that the Hova-Bator model in the "deluxe" kit is the 1588 (Genesis), I've found it to be a pretty solid mid-range incubator. I have two of them, plus two 2370s that I use primarily as hatchers.

Pros: cost, capacity (~50 eggs without turner - I can fit 41 on a Little Giant autoturner in there), dependability, ease of acquiring replacement parts (heater, fan, etc.).

Cons: digital display on both of my units were off (GQF has instructions for how to recalibrate), cleaning the styrofoam is more difficult than cleaning the plastic housings of my Brinseas...but I always clean thoroughly after each hatch, including blowing out the fan, and sanitize, and, weather permitting, place the base in the sun for several hours. I've never had a bacterial problem and have been using these for several years now.

I have also had the 1602N, a wafer thermostat model, and would not recommend it. I found the thermostat extremely temperamental (huge temperature fluctuations) on the first model and the second unit was DOA. Twice was more than enough for me with that model, but you'll find threads on BYC where others are big fans. :idunno

Accompanied by a good independent thermometer and hygrometer, and upfront research on proper incubating techniques for the specific type of poultry, I think a 1588 should meet many hobbyists' needs.
 

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