incubator recommendations

[faykokoWV]

I bought the Brinsea eco with the turner cradle. I completed my first hatch with a good hatch rate. I really liked the see through cover which allowed me to keep an eye on the hatching process without opening the incubator. I'm on my second hatch now and I have 25 eggs in it, 20 standard and 5 bantam. It appears to hold temp and humidity well. The turning cradle makes it very easy to stop the turning, you just lift the incubator off of it. The whole thing is plastic, so after hatching most of it was very easy to clean. If you have fewer eggs, the adjustable egg dividers make it easy to make sure they stay in place. Also, it takes up very little space.

a few things i don't like about it

no humidity gauge (I just bought a hygrometer and velcroed it to the lid)
the turning cradle was a little wide and initially I had trouble with the incubator falling off of it, fixed this easily with some yarn to hold the ends together
you have to open it to add water
hard to clean inside the lid

 

[Scott]

If you're budget is under $200, get a Brinsea! Modern, well made, and easy to operate!!

 

[GlitterBug]

I also have a Genesis 1588 with automatic turner. The temperatures hold very well for me. I do have some work to do with the humidty though. I need a better monitor which I need to get this week!

 

[matte]

Quote:
I have the 1588 also. $138 including shipping from GQF. I've had over 90% hatch rates in each my first three tries. You never have to touch the temp settings.

 

[chkinut]

i have a 1588 too, i'm getting ready to use it for the 1st time this week! but what about a device to measure the humidity? i don't have one.....at least i didn't see that one came with my incubator. do u have to buy them separately? and if so, what exactly are they called and where can i get them?

 

[matte]

Quote:
Yes, you have to buy separately from the 1588. I believe it is a hygrometer. I bought one, but never used it. I just followed the directions in the owners manual, and as I said had very good luck.

 

[little_grey_bantam]

Quote:
Where can ya get it cheap???

I've heard good things on Brinsea AND those large SPortmans LOL But I can't afford either

birds are eating me out of house and home! and sometimes my nice pants (all my pants have stains on them from cleaning after them, feeding them, them attacking me LOL)

 

[nmantime]

I also have the Brinsea Eco20 with the turner cradle. I just completed my first hatch 100% success rate with eggs from littlegreybantam. She shipped them cross country to me here in Cali. I have another batch (staggered hatch in same incubator) 12 eggs in it due to hatch in 3 more days and they are pipping already, these are from the east coast also. The Eco20 holds rock steady temp and i bought a couple of hygrometers off of amazon. Get the kind you can adjust after you calibrate them. The turning cradle i needed as i am not available to turn during the day.
No problems with it and for me the turning cradle worked perfectly. As for cleaning inside lid i use air can i clean my pc fan with.

As others stated you will receive many recommendations but for my money (and i bought mine for the $99 plus i had to buy the cradle) the Brinsea Eco20 is just too user friendly and well built to ignore.

good luck
Norm in N.CA

 

[lilblessings5]

Thanks everyone I'm leaning towards the Brinsea Eco 20 - great price on it right now!

little_grey_bantam - I may be contacting you in a week or so to see about getting some Eggs!

 

[HallFamilyFarm]

Quote:
I also have the Genesis, but got mine at http://cutlersupply.com
It works great. Bought a digital thermoeter/humidit at Walmart. It is alraedy programmed for you. Just add water every few days. Turner does the work for you. With shipping and turnerw /quail racks, cost just under $200.