incubators?

I have one from TSC. IMO it is alittle inconssitant, but that could be just me. Seems like sometimes a bunch hatch, and other times only one or two. It's the only one that I have ever tried though, so I don't have anything else to compare it too.

 

Still air styro incubators can be some of the most difficult to use and produce results. They are also the cheapest available. Balancing cost with results is hard when it comes in incubators. Invest upfront for better results in the end.

 

For basic no-frills cheap incubators I prefer the Hovabator 1602N over the LG still air at TSC. The LG egg turner works well and fits into the Hovabator though. The most important thing about it is having a stable room to put it in. No drafts, no drastic changes, constant room temperature is best. Though I have had success in the winter with wood stove heat and chaotic temperatures before. The less stable the environment the more you have to baby sit it.

They aren't really "plug and go" and there is a learning curve. Unless you have a special place to put it that will make it low maintenance. You ALWAYS need to add a digital thermometer, and you can get them in combination with a hydrometer as well to measure humidity.

They work just fine once you get the hang of it. I only have to worry about temperature spikes if the room shifts in temps. I solved that by putting it in the basement. Yes the temp is cooler down there than recommended, but it can handle it much better than fluctuating temps upstairs.

Out of my own eggs I can usually manage 90%-100% hatches. Shipped eggs are a whole other story.

 

Quote:For a person that is not planning on doing a lot of hatching or only has small batches they plan on hatching, starting out with the LG from TSC is a convenient and cost effective solution. You do have to babysit them a bit. Find a place in the home with as little temp fluctuation as possible to place the incubator. Crank it over at least 24 hours (36 to 48 is best) before you place eggs in it to get it regulated. You will have to splurge a bit to get an electric thermometer for it since that dinky little glass one is about useless. When you get a chance and can convince the DH, get a fan to change it from still air to forced air. This does help stabilize both temp and humidity.

Coke bottle caps have a use on the LG. I use these in place of the red vent plugs to help regulate humidity. I can put them completely over the vent, partially cover a vent, or completely uncover a vent. I do place them upside down so the lip edge of the cap does not scratch or destroy the area around the vent hole. One could probably use any small lightweight solid object the same way, I just had coke caps handy when looking for a solution and my idea light bulb went off.

As you gain more experience incubating, you can then semi-retire the LG and use it strictly as a hatching box when you get a chance to get a bigger, better, more consistent incubator. This will allow you to incubate a staggered hatch since the LG can then be setup with the necessary higher humidity for one batch while the other incubator can keep the slightly lower humidity needed for incubation and still turn the staggered eggs.

 

I would replace that thermometer with a couple of digital ones, I use accurite from Lowes. they are about 7 dollars each.

 

I use a hovabator with a turbo fan. I really like it. It has been doing a great job keeping a constant temperature and humidity. I would also reccomend that you use not only the thermomator that comes with it, but go get yourself a digital thermomator/Hygrometer(humidity). If you decide to go down that road then get one with a thermomator that measures to at least one decimal point so you can be more acurate when setting the temp.