Looking in to buying an incubator for hatching ducks.

[JADe Hatcher]

I was looking into getting a
HovaBator 2370 Basic Egg Incubator Combo Kit. Does any one have advice on this model or should I go with something else? My price range is maybe 150.

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

I have a 2370 that I use as a hatcher. It's a solid, basic incubator. As with my 1588s, the 2370 holds temps pretty steady. You will need a separate hygrometer, as the unit doesn't have a built-in one. I also recommend a separate thermometer (or two) because the display isn't accurate - at least on mine. I like the larger viewing window and the vent hole placement better on the 1588.

While worthy of consideration, you should also look at other incubators in that price range, like the Harris Farms Nurture Right 360 and the Incuview. There may be others, too, depending on what capacity and other features are important to you.

 

[Cerenity]

I have a 2370 that I use as a hatcher. It's a solid, basic incubator. As with my 1588s, the 2370 holds temps pretty steady. You will need a separate hygrometer, as the unit doesn't have a built-in one. I also recommend a separate thermometer (or two) because the display isn't accurate - at least on mine. I like the larger viewing window and the vent hole placement better on the 1588.

While worthy of consideration, you should also look at other incubators in that price range, like the Harris Farms Nurture Right 360 and the Incuview. There may be others, too, depending on what capacity and other features are important to you.

Thanks for the advice! I was looking for an incubator in a similar price range and decided on the 2370. Seems like HovaBator is a tried and tested brand. Any advice for using one the first time? I have a hygrometer and thermometer coming as well. Also, I'm only hatching a half dozen eggs this first time and I see that the tray has room for a gagillion eggs. Any advice about where I should position the eggs in the giant tray?

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

Thanks for the advice! I was looking for an incubator in a similar price range and decided on the 2370. Seems like HovaBator is a tried and tested brand. Any advice for using one the first time? I have a hygrometer and thermometer coming as well. Also, I'm only hatching a half dozen eggs this first time and I see that the tray has room for a gagillion eggs. Any advice about where I should position the eggs in the giant tray?

You may already be well into incubation by now and if so, I hope it's going well! I run an incubator for 24+ hours prior to adding eggs to allow it to stabilize temps (fiddling with it as needed) - and the temps will usually drop once the eggs go in, but stabilize a few hours afterward. With small groups of eggs, I position them around the center water well, in a square or rectangle around the outside; if incubating rather than just hatching, I'd also rotate the eggs around so that eggs aren't stuck in cool or warm spots consistently.

I recently hatched a couple of sets of duck eggs and one of chicken eggs in my 2370 and was, once again, happy with its performance. Best of luck with your hatch!

 

[Cerenity]

You may already be well into incubation by now and if so, I hope it's going well! I run an incubator for 24+ hours prior to adding eggs to allow it to stabilize temps (fiddling with it as needed) - and the temps will usually drop once the eggs go in, but stabilize a few hours afterward. With small groups of eggs, I position them around the center water well, in a square or rectangle around the outside; if incubating rather than just hatching, I'd also rotate the eggs around so that eggs aren't stuck in cool or warm spots consistently.

I recently hatched a couple of sets of duck eggs and one of chicken eggs in my 2370 and was, once again, happy with its performance. Best of luck with your hatch!

Thank you! My first 8 eggs went into the incubator on November 1. So far the humidity has proven to be the toughest thing to manage. It was around 55% for the first couple days, which, I've noted folks to say on the high end. But, it was dropping by about 1-2% per day, so, I thought I was headed in the right direction. Then, this morning, I woke up (after checking it 8 hours before when I went to sleep!) and it was down to 15%! So, then I was rushing to get some more water in there this morning. So stressful!

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

Thank you! My first 8 eggs went into the incubator on November 1. So far the humidity has proven to be the toughest thing to manage. It was around 55% for the first couple days, which, I've noted folks to say on the high end. But, it was dropping by about 1-2% per day, so, I thought I was headed in the right direction. Then, this morning, I woke up (after checking it 8 hours before when I went to sleep!) and it was down to 15%! So, then I was rushing to get some more water in there this morning. So stressful!

You may want to try using a small piece of clean cellulose sponge - if you wet it before you go to bed, it should help maintain humidity levels. During the day, it can just dry back out in there until you need it again. I use a medical squeeze bottle and aquarium tubing to add water without opening the incubator, too. The sponge method really comes in handy during the hatch (you have to go to bed at some point, right? ) and it really helps keep humidity up, especially post-external pip. Hope you have a great hatch!

 

[Cerenity]

You may want to try using a small piece of clean cellulose sponge - if you wet it before you go to bed, it should help maintain humidity levels. During the day, it can just dry back out in there until you need it again. I use a medical squeeze bottle and aquarium tubing to add water without opening the incubator, too. The sponge method really comes in handy during the hatch (you have to go to bed at some point, right? ) and it really helps keep humidity up, especially post-external pip. Hope you have a great hatch!

Thank you! That's an excellent idea!