I WANT A CABINET!!!!!

[ColbyNTX]

I want a cabinet bator but just don't know which one to buy. The Sportsman 1502 seems to be pretty popular. I don't have anybody in my area that has a cabinet so I can't even go look at one. Any suggestions or experiences would be great. Where to buy, best price, ambient temp range, ease of use ect. I know there are many different opinions but I want them.

Thanks,

Colby

 

[greathorse]

I would for sure look at the Dickey. I have a Sportsman, nothing wrong with it but there is some consensus that would indicate Dickey might build one a bit better with better service, and I beleive a little less money

Good luck

 

[Lextextrapper]

I'm not sure where in Texas you are located, but there's a guy just east of Waco that has a nice GQF cabinet incubator for sale on craigslist right now for $350. I would buy it if I had the money to spare.

 

[calgal98]

I second the Dickey! I've got my first incubation going and its so steady I nearly forget its here. Spot on the temp and humidity. So easy. The owner is very helpful and easy to get ahold of.

 

[Sugar Sand Farm]

I would and will go for the Dickey. Just talked with a silkie breeder who has had her Dickey running continuely for 4 years and never had a problem. Her's in sitting on her closed in porch. Here in Florida we have very bad humidity The Dickey is all wood I would worry about rust in the sprotsman And didnt they take out the hatching trays now.

 

[DANNY]

I have a Dickey and a Sportsman. I have had good luck with both. About the only difference i can see is the plywood of a Dickey versus melomine of the GQF. The plywood on the dickey is more porous than the GQF. The GQF is easier to clean.

 

[ColbyNTX]

Looks like the Dickey gets good reviews although Danny brings up a good point in that the GQF is easire to clean. Thanks for all the advice.

How do these models work if you are doing a small hatch like 12 or so eggs? I have heard that they work better full but I won't always want to put in 200 eggs.

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

We have 2 Sportsman's and they work just as good full or empty. Ours have been running since Jan without a break and I can't even tell you how many they have hatched this year. Chickens, turkeys, guinea's and now peafowl.

Our oldest one is about 5 years old and other we got the following year. Both payed for themselves thru sales of chicks in about 6 months after we got them. I also bought spare parts for each - heater coil, fan and turner motor, T stat, they are all still sitting in the box they came in, haven't needed them yet.

If you get the Sportsman get the auto water bucket - it makes life easier.

Steve in NC

 

[ColbyNTX]

You guys are great! Looks like it is between the Dickey's and the Sportsman. They both look like great bators but the Dickey's is a little less expensive. Deos the Dickey's come with egg trays for the turner or do you have to buy the seperate like you do with the Sportsman?

 

[delsi64]

I have a question about cabinet incubators. I have noticed some have a hatcher drawer in the bottom. How do they keep a different humidity for hatching when there are staggered eggs in the top? Do you just put in staggered eggs and hope for the best or is there a separation so you can have two different humidity levels? Thanks