Incubators

[Xouie]

how much is it?

The most basic, still air, manual turning model is 50$ at tractor supply
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/little-giant-still-air-incubator

A caveat — You’ll save money but there will be work in maintaining air flow and turning the eggs.

(Like @Banty crazy, I’m a Brinsea devotee. It’s not a budget brand, but the reliability and ease of use are beyond compare.)

another thought: if this will be a one-time or infrequent thing, do you know anybody near you who can lend you an incubator? Some people also offer hatching services on Craigslist.

 

[shineandrise]

I have heard that plastic incubators aren't as good as Styrofoam, and cheap ones are often only good for a hatch or two. Best of luck in whatever you choose!

This may be true with different types, however, the styrofoam ones are really hard to cleanout.

 

[Banty crazy]

I have heard that plastic incubators aren't as good as Styrofoam, and cheap ones are often only good for a hatch or two. Best of luck in whatever you choose!

Years ago when I first started hatching eggs I had a styrofoam incubator and after it was warmed up, I set my chicken eggs. This was a brand new unit. Half way through incubation, it stopped working in the middle of the night. My eggs were ice cold the next morning and all the developing eggs died! Smooth plastic is so much easier to clean and after that I got a Brinsea incubator and I’ll never use anything else. I hatch eggs every year and some are expensive so I don’t take chances anymore.

 

[PioneerChicks]

This may be true with different types, however, the styrofoam ones are really hard to cleanout.

I've heard that too, but I just put paper towels on the bator floor near lockdown and haven't had any problems. If course, I haven't had many rough hatches either.

 

[PioneerChicks]

Years ago when I first started hatching eggs I had a styrofoam incubator and after it was warmed up, I set my chicken eggs. This was a brand new unit. Half way through incubation, it stopped working in the middle of the night. My eggs were ice cold the next morning and all the developing eggs died! Smooth plastic is so much easier to clean and after that I got a Brinsea incubator and I’ll never use anything else. I hatch eggs every year and some are expensive so I don’t take chances anymore.

Oh, that's so sad! I'm glad you found your own method!

 

[shineandrise]

I would say get Styrofoam. I have never had ours stop working, but I haven't hatched a ton of times, so I couldn't tell you out of a lot of tests. All I know is I don't like cleaning it out.

I had a styrofoam incubator and after it was warmed up, I set my chicken eggs. This was a brand new unit. Half way through incubation, it stopped working in the middle of the night. My eggs were ice cold the next morning and all the developing eggs died! Smooth plastic is so much easier to clean and after that I got a Brinsea incubator and I’ll never use anything else.

 

[Banty crazy]

Oh, that's so sad! I'm glad you found your own method!

It was sad but mainly because they were the first eggs I tried to hatch and I’d been watching them move. I felt connected to them even before they hatched

 

[shineandrise]

It was sad but mainly because they were the first eggs I tried to hatch and I’d been watching them move. I felt connected to them even before they hatched

So sorry! That is sad.