Incubators Inquiry

[anthonyjames]

I am thinking about getting some birds to start. I know that after I get some some adult birds they will start laying. But if I'd like to hatch some eggs what is the best type of incubator to get for not a lot of cost that keeps a steady temp and moves air? Also, will I have to add water for humidity or are will they create the humidity themselves?

If I decide to sell some eggs how does that work? Do I need to gather them and ship them on day one or what is the process. As I said I am very new and trying to get all the info I can.

Thanks

 

[Overeasyplz]

You should build one! It's fun AND educational!

 

[JJMR794]

Quote:
WELOME TO THE QUAIL ADDICTS SUPPORT GROUP....

MOST COMMERCIALLY MADE BATORS WILL HOLD DECENT TEMP, HAVE GOOD AIR FLOW (EVEN THE STILL AIR MODELS ARE DESIGNED TO HAVE AIR FLOW) humidity IS CONTROLED BY FILLING THE WATER TRAYS/SLOTS IN THE BOTTOM WITH WATER. A TURNER IS A WELCOME OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT AS WELL. GAMEBIRDS ESPECIALLY ARE VERY HUMIDITY SENSITIVE--- ITS ACTUALLY MORE IMPORTANT THAN STEADY TEMP! AS FAR AS BATORS THE 2 MOST COMMON "COOLER BATORS" (STYROFOAM) ARE THE LITTLE GIANT AND HOVABATORS. EACH HAS PRO'S AND CONS.

HOVABATOR- BOTH STILL AND FORCED AIR MODELS AVAILABLE--- NOT ALWAYS CARRIED IN LOCAL STORES AND THE THERMOSTAT IS A LITTLE PRIMATIVE THO EFFECTIVE--- HAS WAY MORE WATER STORAGE CAPACITY AND WATER SURFACE AREA THAN LITTLE GIANT BATORS

LITTLE GIANT- BOTH STILL AIR AND FORCED AIR MODELS AVAILABLE--- OFTEN TIMES CARRIED BY YOUR LOCAL FEED STORE AND A IN STOCK ITEM AT TSC STORES( TSC-- ABOUT 49 BUCKS RIGHT OFF THE SHELF--- ALSO 49 BUCKS FOR THE MATCHING EGG TURNER) THE THERMOSTAT IS WAY MORE USER FRIENDLY THAN THE HOVABATORS, BUT THE WATER STOREAGE AREA AND WATER SURFACE AREAS ARE SOMEWHAT LACKING.

WHEN YOU GET YOUR BATOR GO TO THE LAWN AND GARDEN DEPT AT YOUR LOCAL WALMART AND BUY THE SMALL WHITE TEMP/HYGROMETER COMBO UNITS THEY SELL FOR 8 BUCKS THESE ARE USUALLY VERY ACCURATE AND CHEAP AND WILL TELL YOU TEMP AND HUMIDITY EASILY AND ACCURATELY

 

[anthonyjames]

Thanks for the info. I will look at both. I see our local fleet farm sells bators. I will have to check my feed store. I don't recall seeing any there and TSC is no where close to me. As for building one. I would love to but I am redoing my wood workshop and concrete countertop shop, so I don't have the time at the moment. But was thinking of getting some adult birds that are laying currently. Plus, my young girls and chickens get all my other time.

So what is the time frame from getting the eggs to getting them in the bator? Same day, couple days? Can I build up some stock then put them in or can I just keep adding and hatch them days apart? And what I if I want to sell or ship some? What is that process?