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I agree with Baralak. I have tried both homemade and a Styrofoam incubators, so these are my opinions and what has been best for me. I don't have a broody right now but I would rather incubate the eggs myself.
1) What is the best type of incubator to use?
I use a Styrofoam incubator with an egg turner. When I used my homemade incubator I didn't have a thermostat and found trying to regulate the temperature this time of year was a challange for me.
2) What is the best LEAST EXPENSIVE incubator to use?
Check Craigslist,
eBay,
Amazon, USFreeads, USA4SALE, Simplead to name a few sites. I eventually bought an LG with fan and egg turner from a fellow BYC member who happens to sell poultry and livestock supplies. My LG works perfectly fine for me. Last hatch I had 20 hatch out of 26 eggs. I have 23 in another incubator due to hatch Christmas eve/day.
3) What is the maximum length of time you can hold a set of eggs before putting them in the incubator?
The sooner you incubate the better. I set mine within 3 day max but I'm sure 5 to 7 days if kept at around 60 degrees. I don't know if there is an exact time but I do know the longer you wait the less viable the eggs will be
4) How hard is it to build your own incubator? Anyone have detailed plans?
I used a fairly large heavy duty foam cooler that Omaha Steaks come in. I did have a fan but didn't use it. If I use that incubator again I will put a rheostat switch on the fan. I bought a lamp kit. I had to modify a little to make it work. Since I didn't have a thermometer, I adjusted the temp with the lid. I kept it right around 100 degrees with a 15 watt bulb.
5) Would a strong LED flashlight suffice for candling?
Yes
6) If there are chicks hatching at different rates, what is the longest you can leave them in the bator once they have dried and gotten fluffy?
I usually don't leave them in the incubator. As they hatch I remove the chicks and their shells. There has been times when I went over to the incubator and several chicks had hatched while I was gone . As soon as I can I take the chicks and the shell pieces out of the incubator. On some really cold nights when I had problems controlling the temperature in the room where I incubate, I used an incubator as a brooder as I could regulate the temperature better.
7) How long do the chicks stay in the brooder?
I keep mine in a brooder coop. I have a wire cage that I keep between 90 and 95 degrees for the first week and decrease the temperature 5 degrees per week. By two months old they are pretty well feathered out. I still try to keep it comfortable for the chicks so I put a couple of heat lamps in their coop so if they want heat they can have some. I don't heat the coops of my older birds.
8) What wattage of heat lamp is best for the brooder?
I use two 250 watt red heat lamps for 28 - 6 week old chicks. Use can use regular incandescent bulbs.
9) What is the best method to use to ensure a high hatch/survivor rate?
I say keep the humidity between 20 to 50 % and the temperature around 100 degrees.
10) Should the chicks be vaccinated? If so, what method is best and what vaccine(s)?
I don't have my chicks vaccinated. I go give the chicks medicated start and grow feed. The medication is sulfer based and only helps the chicks in developing their immune system.
I do have my flocks NPIP tested every year.
I hope I have been able to help you. I have pictures of my setup on my website.
