I want a incubator that hatches less then a dozen standard eggs, easy to use for novices, and doesnt cost a arm and a leg Automatic turner would be nice but not a must have. This is part of my b-day present from my hubby so any and all recommendations would be great Thanks!
Hmmm, define "arm and a leg" . My first incubator was a Brinsea ECO 20 with autoturn cradle. I used it for a batch of shipped turkey eggs and had about a 50% hatch rate. Considering the condition of the box of eggs when it arrived at my home, it's a wonder anything hatched! The Brinsea is hard, moulded plastic, has adjustable inserts to accommodate different sized eggs, maintains temperature and humidity well, is easy to use, and cleans up very easily. I believe the Brinsea holds 24 chicken eggs. I still have my Brinsea, even though I've since acquired 4 GQF cabinet 'bators and hatchers. One warning though... incubating can be very, very contagious! Which would be why I now have 4 cabinet bators/hatchers and I've only been incubating eggs since about May. Edited to add: Happy Birthday!
I got a brinsea eco automatic. First hatch wasn't very successful but it turned out that 5 of the 7 eggs I set were duds. Had one hatch from the 2 remaining eggs. Just on 2nd batch now - eggs from a breeder this time but late in the year for here. Candled yesterday at 7 days and have 5 eggs remaining, so fingers crossed. There's a cheaper model which isn't automatic. Only thing is it doesn't tell you humidity and it's practically guesswork. Seems to hold the temp very well. I like the clear plastic for seeing into it although I can honestly say I don't know how 7 hatchlings would fit in there if they all hatched at the same time! I like the look of the brinsea octagon - maybe next year Definitely addictive!
