HovaBator Model 1588 With thermostat

[jvls1942]

when you have your temp correct, and then you add 40 eggs, isn't it normal for the temp to drop? i think it is.. it takes a while to warm that mass up. it is not going to hurt it to run the first day at 96 degrees.. that is a heck of a lot warmer than the eggs were bfore you put them in there.. If the tempdoes not come back up after 24 hours, then MAYBE you want to adjust it.. I am betting that it will come back up to 99.5 on it's own.

 

[Jenski]

The temp in most smaller bators will wiggle when you add eggs. It should level out within 24 hours.

Re. adding water to the 1588 ~ you can do it without opening the bator if you keep a small tube handy. We picked up some small-diameter clear tubing in the plumbing section of the hardware store. Feed the tubing through the plug hole, being sure not to drip on the eggs. We have a basting syringe that fits into the tubing so we can also keep track of how much water we're adding. That way during the last 3 days you don't have to open it the bator all!

 

[jnjross]

i use a big meat injector (with the neddle)

 

[Jenski]

Quote:
kroth, the HovaBator 1588 is actually a pretty good, inexpensive incubator, and there are hundreds (or more) folks on this site who regularly have successful hatches with them. Don't get discouraged! I plugged my 1588 in, and within 30 minutes that baby was chugging along at 99.5. There are always issues that can happen with any incubator, and part of hatching seems to be learning how to tinker with your particular machine to get it just right.

There are lots of bigger and fancier incubators, some with incredibly-accurate scientific instruments and controls. I would love to have a great big industrial Lyon, Dicky, Brinsea, or even a GQF Sportsman. They just aren't in my price range yet!

If you are thinking about getting an incubator, there are lots of folks here who can share their experiences with you as you make your choice. Good luck!

 

[Mahonri]

Quote:
I did what you suggested from day one... got a tube from work. put it through one of the holes in the turner (why we have 41 eggs in instead of 42!) and down through a hole in the metal grate right to the L tray. Works wonderfully.

 

[Jenski]

Quote:
I did what you suggested from day one... got a tube from work. put it through one of the holes in the turner (why we have 41 eggs in instead of 42!) and down through a hole in the metal grate right to the L tray. Works wonderfully.

Ah, I hadn't really thought about what to do with the turner, Mahonri! I am only using mine for hatching right now, but I do have a turner still in its box. Did you have any issues with the tube affecting the turner? Do you have any pics on where you threaded it through?

Thanks!

 

[CovenantCreek]

Quote:
As nice as the cabinet incubators are, I'm sure even they require some adjustments when they're first set up to produce the results the owner expects. For some people, my 50% hatch rate wouldn't be considered a problem, but I think I can do better if I can get the temp in the bator to stay between 99 and 100 degrees rather than between 97 and 99.

Another thing to consider with a cabinet style unit is where are you going to put it? My HovaBators fit quite well in my pantry, a cabinet unit would have to be in the garage or barn -- since they're affected by the ambient temps around them it's not recommended for any incubator to be kept in areas where the temp can't be kept steady (like unheated garages and barns).

Then you have consider the practicality of such a large unit. How easily will you be able to come up with 80-90 eggs in less than a week to fill the bator? Do you have the space to brood 80-90 chicks or the market to sell them? How often can you hatch 80-90 chicks and not become overwhelmed by all those chickens running around if they don't sell within days of hatching? Can you really cover your costs of ownership to make it worth spending $500 or more on an incubator? And what the heck are you going to do with it if you have to move across the country? The demand for a used unit may be strikingly limited.

All in all, for a hobbyist, the tabletop incubators make more sense.