I want to get a incubator as a christmas present for fiance!

[foxypoproxy]

Quote:

Well i'm not worried about chicken math
The more the merrier i say

...as long as we have the room

Just sucks that this all has to happen under these circumstances.

This was his first flock of chickens, so having to lose them, is hitting him hard.
Ive been through a few flocks of chickens in my life, so I'm more dis-sensitized to the situation.
Not to say i'm not upset about it

.

So now ive made a rule never to take in/or buy adult birds, we will only hatch chicks from now on.

I think hatching and raising his own, in the spring, will help him get over it faster.

Plus we built this big coop and run, someone has to use it

 

[cmom]

I agree with the other posts. The Hova-Bator 1588 has pre-set temperature. All you have to do is add maybe a little water and eggs. I also bought a turner.

I have a Hova-Bator 1602n. Mine was a still air but I did put a fan in it. I have had good hatches in it. I have some eggs in lockdown right now in it. I came across this and it says with a fan I believe and turner. I prefer circulated air over still air.

http://incubatorwarehouse.com/egg-incubators/tabletop/hova-bator-advanced-combo-kit.html

 

[foxypoproxy]

Quote:
Thanks for the link

The fan will fix the still air problem right?
So basically the fan with help with better hatch rates?
That looks like a really good deal incubator + fan + turner +thermometer/hygrometer for about the same price as the genesis w/o turner

 

[TucsonAZ]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=600461

I couldn't be happier, I would not want to slack on any single part of the incubator, the egg turner is a must as is the fan and new thermostat in my book. The fan is TOO EASY to add to the unit and having the red light in there is REALLY NICE! I would do what I did, buy these budget units and upgrade as you have time adding the Ranco when you have a few extra bucks, in the end I think you'll end up with a much more solid unit.

 

[cmom]

Quote:
Thanks for the link

The fan will fix the still air problem right?
So basically the fan with help with better hatch rates?
That looks like a really good deal incubator + fan + turner +thermometer/hygrometer for about the same price as the genesis w/o turner

The fan circulates the air and keep the temperature more stable. In the still air incubators there are hot spots and cool spots.

 

[spotlikeschicks]

I use a Hovabator 1602n with the electric fan mod, and the auto egg turner. I believe all together it ran in the $135 to $150 ish category. Love this unit, I use stand alone temp and humidity gauges and have no issues at all, except for cleaning the unit out after hatching, but that's a different story.
Tell your husband to not worry about losing the birds mentioned, it happens, very sad and brings emotions but it happens.
Hatching is a good way to replenish the flock and continually add to it, plus you can eliminate many variables that are present with buying grown birds.
Also, hatching your own, is very addictive and will probably become a normal part of your chicken raising!
I like the Hovabator setup as opposed to many others due to it's simplicity in operation, a simple turn and twist for temperature and three water tray flow channels make it easy even for a dummy like me.
good luck!!

 

[TucsonAZ]

You read thread after thread about people having issues with temps and so on. The only thing I knew FOR FACT when I set mine up was that I didn't want to worry about temps, turning or humidity. If you buy the Hova 1602N you're down $50 (ebay), add another $5 to add a fan to it (SUPER EASY) at that point decide if you want to make sure you have steady temps or auto turning as both can be added later for $40-$50. I like being able to add what I need later based on what I like and dislike the most. I would strongly suggest going this route as if gives you the most options for the least money.

 

[speedy2020]

Here is Hoverbator with turner for under $100. You need to spend about $5 for a used PC fan and 12VDC power supply.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BRAND-NEW-H...885?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19c3fefec5

 

[UncleTommy]

I built my own incubator, but if I had the money i'd have gotten something with a turner, it was kind of a pain to turn those eggs 3x a day, all though I did like giving them fresh air. It was also a worry when I couldn't be there to turn them. In reality, he'll love anything you pick, as soon as that first chick pips he won't care what it hatched in.

 

[trailchick]

This manufacturer is having a sale!!!!

http://brinsea.com/buying/holidaysaleprice2011.htm