New at this - WHICH incubator??

[RobinFarmGirl]

Hello Everyone,

First, I'd like to say that I did not see an existing thread with this topic so I created one.

I've had chickens for a while. I'm now thinking of hatching them myself. However..... I have never done this nor do I have any idea which incubator I should purchase. I would like one that has an automatic turner for at least 12 or more eggs. I don't understand how everything works on an incubator but the easier to use, the better!

I know many of you are pros at this and I would like your opinions.

As a newbie, I'd love to get any and all tips & suggestions from y'all on incubators, hatching, and all that comes with it!

Thank you,
Robin

 

[sonjab314]

There are a lot of good incubators to choose from. One factor is what your budget allows. Brinsea is really good but out of my price range. I have two HovaBator Genisis 1588's with auto turners and I love them. I have really good hatch rates with them. A lot of people do not like the styrofoam bators such as mine. It also has to do with personal preferences and how many eggs you want to hatch at a time. Just research and see which ones fit your needs.

 

[RobinFarmGirl]

Thank you so much for your reply! There are SO many out there.... Was kinda hoping for a quick answer - but I will have to read up on it like you said.

I guess I wanted to know right off what are the good ones and bad ones so I don't make a mistake buying it only to find out after purchase that it is no good.

I've looked at a few and they don't really give detailed instructions. Some of the stuff confuses me; like with the humidity level. You have to add water, etc... I am just clueless so everything is a big question.

Thanks again,
Robin

 

[RobinFarmGirl]

Can anyone tell me the brands out there that are good and (as a new "hatcher") what I should look for?

Any info is appreciated!!

Thanks,
Robin

 

[Chick CJ]

I was just in your shoes! I wanted to hatch some eggs for a 4H project and had only ever hatched using broody hens so I had no idea what type of incubator to buy or even how an incubator worked!

After much research, I went with the Hovabator 1588 Genesis series with automatic egg turner. It cost me around $160 on ebay. It holds up to 40 eggs. I chose it because I noticed in my research that a lot of Kindergarten classrooms use it with great success so I figured it must be very simple to use! I was right, so far it has been very simple. It is forced air and has the temp/humidity read out right on top and it came already set to the temp for hatching chicks. My son did a test run first with some fertile eggs he bought at the grocery store, just to make sure it held temp and humidity well and I think he placed the whole dozen in the incubator but of course with store bought eggs you really don't know if they are actually fertile and they have been refrigerated for a couple of weeks so hatch rate is much smaller. He ended up with 7 viable eggs and then had 4 hatch. I am currently on day 19 of my project run with 35 eggs getting ready to hatch any day now.

This web site has some really good information on hatching eggs in the learning center. I found it to be very helpful. I wish you luck!

CJ

 

[RobinFarmGirl]

Thank you for your reply!! Post some pics of your incubating/hatching success...

 

[Flybybirds]

I have humidaire cabinet incubators. The greatest! They hold the temperature humidity perfectly.

My success rate has been 80%. If you could find one on craigslist or eBay for a good price buy it.

 

[RobinFarmGirl]

Great pictures - thanks for the idea!