Incubator Poll and Opinions

[Three Cedars Silkies]

I am using a borrowed Brinsea Octagon 20 EX Advanced (basically the Octagon 20 with the turning cradle and automatic humidity pump...awesome!!)

I didn't have a very good hatch with shipped silkie eggs, BUT the incubator was spot on the entire time. I don't think it was the incubator...maybe the operator?? I set my own humidity and temp instead of using the factory pre-sets.

I will up my humidity next time during incubation...or at least adjust it according to the aircell at days 7 and 14. A

I also think it's a good idea to spot check the temp every now and again. On that note, I'm ordering an incubator today along with the Brinsea spot thermometer/hygrometer.

 

[Illia]

I use the Hovabator 1588 with forced air. It is an amazing and really good one, as you don't really have to touch a thing! It is so easy to use.

Before that though I had a Little Giant, and it was sooo touchy. Since it didn't have a thermostat that controlled itself, I had to fiddle with the temp SO often, and during the first day of lockdown, I was not there and it decided to spike up to 107 degrees. . . In the end I never got any chicks.

Which is why I switched to the Hovabator, but I still use the Little Giant for extra eggs. . . I just watch it about 7+ times a day.

 

[A.T. Hagan]

I have a Dickey 2x2, but have only just set it up to function test it prior to setting my first eggs hopefully this coming Sunday.

.....Alan.

 

[BeccaOH]

I have 3 running right now.

Still air LG that I'm hand turning eggs in.
LG with fan and auto-turner.
HB with fan, hand turning.

Last year I got my best hatches, 80% (shipped eggs) - 100% (my eggs), out of the still-air LG.

And I have a broody hen on 11 eggs -- the best in my opinion. Least effort on my part.

 

[clothdiaperingmom]

Im new to incubating, but started with the LG still air. Then I figured out I needed another since doing staggered hatches. So got a used Hova bator with fan by posting a wanted ad.

I love the hova bator with the fan...much more stable temps and larger water resevoirs (sp) so can up the humidity more then the LG.
The Lg, temps all over the place at times.

Im not having any luck period with hatching though. 12st set of eggs spent 18 days in LG (none hatched), 2nd set spent almost all 18 days in LG (its day 21 and nothing happening yet).

(The other 3 sets Im hoping will do better since they are spending more time in the hovabator then the LG)

I want to by the hova bator genesis though. Mabye I will get something to hatch with it.

 

[beckymom3]

I had one horrible hatch with a Hova bator forced air with automatic egg turner. It was not all the bator's fault because I had to move the bator 30 miles on day 21 and couldn't keep the temp up. I've found the styrofoam too vulnerable. It's also too awkward to control temp and humidity. I know many folks have success once they figure what works for them on the Hova bators, but I don't like it. I just bought a Brinsea Oct 20 and am hoping for better results as I have rare breed eggs coming!

I am going to try again with the Hova Bator, hoping not to repeat the mistakes I made for that first hatch. We'll see! I do like the idea of having 2 incubators, though....I can see how this could be addicting!

 

[Sweetfolly]

While we're having his poll - how do y'all pronounce Brinsea? I've been saying it: "Brin-say-uh"

 

[lowdollar434]

I have the gqf cabinet. Just plug it in, so easy a monkey could use it. I don't even come close to filling it. I also have a brinsea 20. The brinsea is sitting in the closet waiting for me to decide what to do with it.

 

[canada-goose]

Lyon Turn-X (TX 7). Excellent incubator, forced air, easy to adjust the temperature. Big enough to hatch quite a few eggs at a time, too!

 

[cook_kaka_ook]

Hova Bator 1602N Still-Air No turner. Had 100% hatch on shipped Blue/Black Copper Marans eggs and my own Barnyard-Mix.