Hey all, My DW wants me to put together my Christmas list and I want to put an incubator to the list. Not sure which one. I'm looking for a smaller size since I only have a small flock. A dozen or so. Not ever likely to go above 25 even with the addiction. My kids are under the age of 5 so I'd like them to be able to see as much as possible. I was looking at the Brinsea Mini Advance since folks on the forum seemed to like it, auto-turning, and lots of visibility. Thoughts on that one or others? ----- Ed
Hi Ed - I have the cheapo styro one DH got at TSC and it isn't very good. Got the fan kit later and added that - still didn't have nearly as good hatch with that one as we did with the Hova Bator 1588. It has a very large viewing window and the best part is that it has a digital display that lets you know both the temp (which it self regulates) as well as the humidity. Those features alone sold me on it. I think I ordered mine on line at Randall Burkey but it was a combination of the Hova Bator 1588 and the automatic turning racks. This unit also has a fan already installed. Even if you only have 12 hens, I'd recommend you saving your fertile eggs from them for 6-7 days while you keep them at the right temp and turn them daily while they wait to go into the bator. When you get 42 you can set the 1588 as that is the capacity. Even if hatch goes pretty well you may only have viable chicks in the 30 - 35 range. Make sure you don't turn on the automatic egg turner unit until the eggs have been in the bator for 24 hours. I didn't learn this until AFTER incubating several bators full last Spring. I will do it right this year. Good luck. Nothing thrill the grandkids like watching the chicks, peep, pip and hatch then start to grow up.
