Incubator for a hatching newbie

[Bird_Lover_17]

hey! So I'm planning on hatching some quail eggs this spring, (but I need to save up the money for an incubator now). Does anyone have any suggestions?

I was thinking the Brinsea Mini II incubator for size...

Just so that you can get an idea of what I'm thinking of:
-Automatic turner
-Not a piece of junk
-1 incubator, since I can't afford a hatcher
-Trustable temperature/ humidity controls
-Under $500


Any suggestions are appreciated!

 

[swampfox440]

That's a hard question for me but I can tell you this don't buy one of those overseas ebay junk like I did .

 

[mcstewartchick]

I bought this:
https://www.strombergschickens.com/...d-air-picture-window-hovabator-incubator-1588

I think it has everything you're looking for, and with the auto turner and two sets of racks (regular egg and quail egg size), it's about $200.

 

[mcstewartchick]

I thought about getting one of the little Brinsea ones, but a friend recommended against it because even though it is great for keeping the right humidity, the round shape and domed lid is a little cramped once the eggs start to hatch. The Hovabator is nice and roomy. I like it so far.

 

[Bird_Lover_17]

@mcstewartchick thanks for the info! I'm considering that one now- I have heard good reviews for it.

 

[mcstewartchick]

@mcstewartchick thanks for the info! I'm considering that one now- I have heard good reviews for it.

There are fancier looking models but honestly, I read so many great reviews for this one I got it. It's super straight forward, hard to find a fault with it so far.

 

[The Cave]

I haven't hatched out of it yet, but I have a bunch of eggs in it right now and LOVE my hova bator. It is the manual thermometer which someone mentioned if power went out briefly it will keep the same temp as it is adjusted by a screw setting. Which I thought was brilliant! At first it was scary though for sure! It has been keeping accurate temp and humidity much more consistently than my amazon plastic incubator and was about the same price. The model is 1602N its actually reptile but Hova-Bator says it can be used for chickens as well.

I just make sure I have a few digital thermometer/hyrgometers in incubator with tons of room. I believe I have 25-27 silkie eggs in there currently.