Incubators Anonymous

[PD-Riverman]

Well, with the incubators I have capacity for 270 in the sportsman, 42 in each of the hovabators for incubation, (total 390) the hatcher's capable of hatching way more than that in it's 5 trays.

that's chicken eggs. quail could be FAR more. LOL

then I also am getting 3 gqf brooders as well on Monday that will aid my brooding efforts. it can handle 50 chicks for 2 weeks, with extensions for height, can handle 25 for 4 weeks. so hatch 50 every 2 weeks, when they're 4 weeks old move them outside to a bigger pen. I won't probably get that many eggs to hatch in 2 weeks, but we can try.

the goal this year is to NOT sell eggs like I've done every other year, but hatch all I need early on, then let them grow over the summer, switching to free range as soon as they're large enough. in years past I've sold a lot of eggs, then when they go broody, I end up on the short list because then I have nothing to hatch for myself. not this year.

Ki4got, I got a curious question-----why does your GQF/Sportsman only hold 270 eggs? Are you cutting your trays? All that I read about holds 288. My Dickey holds 288. The GQF look-a-like I built will hold 288 if I don't use the turner in the bottom.

 

[ladycat]

My Dickey holds 288.

You can send that one to me.

 

[PD-Riverman]

Bumping my post.

I wish I could answer your question, but I have no experience with that incubator but I can guess and say---I do not feel it will work as good as the Brinsea, but I am curious to the answer from a person that really uses the one in question.

Also LC I feel with a little rigging you can make you a small controlled temp room/box/etc to set your styrofoam's in to stop the fluctuating temp. We will have to experiment with one of these rooms.

 

[ki4got]

Quote:
I pulled those numbers off the gqf website. I haven't actually got it set up and running yet because it needs some repair to the turner. so we'll see what it does when it's up and running. if I were to put auto turners on each of the hatcher's stationary shelves, it'd hold like 8 regular hovabators turners... I'd be REALLY up a creek then. LOL

 

[ki4got]

Quote:
I have 4 of the hovabators incubators (wafer thermostat style, upgraded with fans/turners) and have had very good success with them over the last 4 years +, hatching out about 4000 chicks so far. (3 are dedicated incubators, 1 is only used as a hatcher)

 

[ladycat]

Also LC I feel with a little rigging you can make you a small controlled temp room/box/etc to set your styrofoam's in to stop the fluctuating temp. We will have to experiment with one of these rooms.

Maybe I can try that, I'm desperate!

 

[PD-Riverman]

You can send that one to me.

LC, I wish you had one-----you know I only payed $50 for this one---the turner did not automatically turn but did work if you turned the switch to manual so I spent about $90 on it fixing that/updating the thermostat. It could use a paint job but It works good. I got 200 and some eggs coming out of it tomorrow-----moving to the hatcher.

 

[DMRippy]

Quote:
There is a link in my siggy.

 

[ladycat]

LC, I wish you had one-----you know I only payed $50 for this one---the turner did not automatically turn but did work if you turned the switch to manual so I spent about $90 on it fixing that/updating the thermostat. It could use a paint job but It works good. I got 200 and some eggs coming out of it tomorrow-----moving to the hatcher.

I plan to have a Dickey within a few months, but in the meantime, a 24 egg tabletop ain't cutting it.

I'll try your suggestion and get my circulated styro out, and wrap it in blankets or something.

 

[PD-Riverman]

I pulled those numbers off the gqf website. I haven't actually got it set up and running yet because it needs some repair to the turner. so we'll see what it does when it's up and running. if I were to put auto turners on each of the hatcher's stationary shelves, it'd hold like 8 regular hovabators turners... I'd be REALLY up a creek then. LOL

Whats wrong with the turner?