Incubator recommendations?

[aShMaNv]

I'm on the market for a new table top incubator. I have the old little giant still air model and have hatched lots of chicks with it but it's finally going south. I was wondering if anyone had recommendations for brands or models of table top incubators that you have had good luck with or if there are any bad experiences and ones to steer clear from.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

Bang for your buck to me look no further than the Hova-bator with fan. I lucked out a few years ago and purchased an older model picture window unit new in box for only $80. Love it.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/HovaBator-E...975?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35adcf462f

Picture window:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Turbofan-Ho...947?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item463c34865b

Another option is to build an incubator. There is a heating/fan combo unit you can purchase that I hear works flawlessly. Likely better operation and you could build a table top and use plexi glass for top window.

http://incubatorwarehouse.com/48-watt-incukit-dc.html

 

[kuchchicks]

I have a Hova Bator 1588 and it is awesome! My LG auto turner fit inside so i did not need to buy a new one. This is as close to plug in and walk away as you can get with a realatively inexpensive model. I think i spent $155 and it is worth every penny. My last hatch was 87% and next hatch is due this Friday. If you go with this model you will be very happy!

 

[aShMaNv]

I did quite a bit of research yesterday and everyone that has the hovabatoras loves them. And I read a lot of horror stories on the little giant and some of the other ones. A little more expensive but sounds like it's worth it. is there any one place off the internet that is best to order from?

 

[scflock]

I did quite a bit of research yesterday and everyone that has the hovabatoras loves them. And I read a lot of horror stories on the little giant and some of the other ones. A little more expensive but sounds like it's worth it. is there any one place off the internet that is best to order from?

The new LG9300 has the worst reviews of any incubator I have ever seen. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. If you are in the sub $200 range, take a look at the Brinsea Eco 20. It's a manual turn, but you turn the whole incubator instead of each individual egg, and it is incredibly stable and easy to clean

 

[aShMaNv]

I like the looks and most of the reviews on the hovabator 1588 but I just read a thread on here that had many many many complaints about the thermostat reading being way off and then the temp severely spiking out of nowhere.

 

[scflock]

I like the looks and most of the reviews on the hovabator 1588 but I just read a thread on here that had many many many complaints about the thermostat reading being way off and then the temp severely spiking out of nowhere.

Reviews on the Hovabator are much better than the LG, but I think temp spikes are fairly common in any type of styrofoam. They can be managed, but it takes practice. That's why I recommended the Brinsea. That's an extremely stable platform, and the Eco model is just under $200. The only drawback is the 24 egg capacity, but hatch rates are high

 

[aShMaNv]

scflock, I now agree. I spent pretty much all morning reading reviews. A lot of people love the 1588 and have had no problems with it but I have also read just as many reviews where the digital thermostat malfunctioned and the temp spiked to 108 and killed an entire incubator of eggs. Fortunately that's never happened with my LG. An incubator can hold a steady temp but if it spikes and kills all your eggs it's worthless. Not sure I want to take that chance for $200. The brinsea do look really nice. Wish they held more than 24 eggs but I guess quality trumps quantity.

 

[scflock]

scflock, I now agree. I spent pretty much all morning reading reviews. A lot of people love the 1588 and have had no problems with it but I have also read just as many reviews where the digital thermostat malfunctioned and the temp spiked to 108 and killed an entire incubator of eggs. Fortunately that's never happened with my LG. An incubator can hold a steady temp but if it spikes and kills all your eggs it's worthless. Not sure I want to take that chance for $200. The brinsea do look really nice. Wish they held more than 24 eggs but I guess quality trumps quantity.

90% of 24 eggs is almost the same as 50% of 48 eggs. It is a smaller capacity, but it's comforting to know that healthy chicks will hatch