Little Giant Air Incubator

[StaatsFarms]

Has anyone used the Little Giant Air Incubator from Tractor Supply??? we were thinking of getting some eggs to hatch and were wondering if this one is any good... also it has an "egg turner" as an accessory... is this neccessary??? this will be our first time trying to hatch so any input (or helpful tips) would be greatly appreciated!!! thanks

 

[quailbrain]

I use little giants. they are good if you have a constant room temp. around them. As for the turner that depends on you. If you are willing to turn over egg and ever egg for the entire cycle multiple times a day then you wouldn't need it. I personally would go for the turner if you are planning on large numbers of chicks. Turning is a pain but neccisary. The chick needs to exercise and the yolk needs to rotate so the chick can get nutrition.

 

[TK Poultry]

i say if your going to do the lil giant thing like i did get a fan to go in it to help you hatch rate i did ok 14 out of 24 over half but a fan would of helped me out alot

 

[StaatsFarms]

yeah I'm only gonna start with 6 eggs so i think I''ll save the $45.00 and use my "free" fingers... and as far as the fan goes, is that annother accessory that you can get for the incubator or are you talking aout something different???

 

[jthayerkatz]

just replaced my home made incubator with a little giant still air, and hatched out 6 for 6 in it's first run.

the only problem we had was the thermostat stuck at one point causing a panick, but just a light tap on the top seemed to corrcet the problem and it only happened the once during the first hatch. I have read other people comment on the wafer style thermostat and say that it is less than perfect, but as long as it is monitored I am happy with the quality vs. cost of the product.

 

[jessica117]

Tractor Supply doesn't carry the fan kit as far as I know (at least the one where I live didn't.) If you are a little tech/electricity savy, you could add an old computer fan.

I found the kit for sale online but they want $35 for it.

http://www.scruggsfarm.com/Little-Giant-Forced-Air-Fan-Kit-7200.html


Here is a discussion of the LG. I have some pics of my bator on pg 2 and later on I get into a little more detail of how I powered the fan and many others have great input on using the LG.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=190381

Something else that I would recommend, since it sounds like you aren't going to be filling the bator to capacity, is using mason jars or some other containers with damp sand to help fill the bator up. It will help your temps recover more quickly after opening to turn (didn't remember if the other post touched on that)

I think all this is covered in the other post, but you'll want to get a digital thermometer/hygrometer. And you will want to run your bator without eggs for at least a week to get your temps and humidity calibrated.

Hope this helps!

 

[Junkmanme]

PERSONALLY, I would opt for the Hovabator with fan AND egg-turner. I think it will save you in the long-run. (Wasted eggs is also a cost!)

Sometimes (usually), going the "cheapest way" ends up being a MORE EXPENSIVE WAY.

just my 2 pesos worth,

-Junkmanme-