New to incubating

[crazychicken05]

Hey guys, I've had chickens for a few years now and really want to get into incubating my own eggs. I just don't know much about incubators so I need a little help. I don't need anything huge, just a few eggs at a time would be good. I am also budget minded and can't sink a fortune into it. Thought about one from tractor supply, but unsure on quality. Thought?

 

[AmyLynn2374]

Hey guys, I've had chickens for a few years now and really want to get into incubating my own eggs. I just don't know much about incubators so I need a little help. I don't need anything huge, just a few eggs at a time would be good. I am also budget minded and can't sink a fortune into it. Thought about one from tractor supply, but unsure on quality. Thought?

NO. Ok, maybe that was unfair...lol Do not get the LG 9300. If you can and you want a cheaper but better quality styro look at the hoverbators online. They have a wide range of models with varying prices and out of the cheaper bators they have a better rep and reviews. I myself use the LG 9200 (which is better than the 9300, but still touchy) and am considering the Hoverbator 1588 next year because I love the "picture window". There are other models in the hovabator line that are cheaper than the 1588 too.

TSC has the Farm Innovators which I have heard mixed reviews on. Seems they are better than the new LG's but not as good as the Hovabators.

If you can I would go with a forced air versus still air. Many people prefer to add the turner. I have the turner but prefer to hand turn.

After you decide and no matter what you decide-do not follow the manuals for instructions on humidity. Come back here and ask questions or PM me and I will help you with humidity. Also no matter what incubator or thermometers/hygrometer you buy, do not trust it until you verify that it is correct.

 

[FridayYet]

If you are going to do a few eggs at a time, you might want to look at the Brinsea Mini. (I like stable incubators though, and am a big fan of Brinsea.

The problem with the Mini is that "Chicken Math" sets in and you want to hatch more, so I bought the Brinsea Advance 20.

The other one I'd consider, and am actually thinking of buying as a back-up or hatcher is the Hovabator 1588 as Amy mentioned.

Like she said - if you buy styrofoam, be prepared to stay on top of it so you can have the best hatch possible. I've read too many stories of baked eggs if you trust some of those cheaper incubators. Amy has it down pat!

 

[crazychicken05]

You guys really know your chickens! I'm going to go forced air, but should I go with manual egg turning or get an automatic? I just don't know anything about turning by hand and I don't want to screw it up.

 

[AmyLynn2374]

You guys really know your chickens! I'm going to go forced air, but should I go with manual egg turning or get an automatic? I just don't know anything about turning by hand and I don't want to screw it up.

Totally up to your preference. Manual turning isn't hard. Just (gently) roll the eggs one way to the opposite side and next time roll them back. I usually do 3 or 5 times a day depending how early I get the first turn in...lol If you are uncomfortable hand turning or don't think you'll have the time or remember, get the automatic turner. The automatic turner turns then slowly continuously day and night.

 

[crazychicken05]

Thank you so much for the help Amy, I really appreciate it! I just didn't know if it was worth the extra money to get the automatic turner. Now I've got a lot of looking to do to narrow down which one I want.

 

[AmyLynn2374]

Thank you so much for the help Amy, I really appreciate it! I just didn't know if it was worth the extra money to get the automatic turner. Now I've got a lot of looking to do to narrow down which one I want.

Some people feel it is. They love having the turner. I started with the turner and switched to hand turning. Of course I am a meddler and a stay at home mom so I have the time and desire to hand turn...lol Seriously though my two best hatches were the last two which are the ones I hand turned. Not saying that was the reason they were better, but it certainly didn't hurt...lol

 

[scflock]

Thank you so much for the help Amy, I really appreciate it! I just didn't know if it was worth the extra money to get the automatic turner. Now I've got a lot of looking to do to narrow down which one I want.

What to get as a first time incubator depends on your long term goals. You've had chickens for a few years, so I am assuming you will be hatching more than one or two batches, possibly selling chicks? Styrofoam incubators can work, they just take a lot more babysitting. Amy has great results in hers, but she sleeps much less during those 21 days than I do using a Brinsea. I work long hours, and I needed something that was on autopilot, so the Brinsea was worth the money for me.
For a budget of $100 or less, I would buy the best styrofoam I could afford. I agree with Amy, the LG9300 is horrible. I would look for a Hovabator
$100-200 I would start looking at a loaded to the gills Hovabator, with auto turn and all, a Brinsea Mini Advance or a Brinsea Eco20. The Hovabator will have the highest capacity (48 eggs), but will require more attention. The Mini Advance has the smallest capacity (7eggs), but you plug it in and it does all the work. The Eco20 requires you turn the machine to turn the eggs, but is an extremely stable environment. The other plus to the Brinseas is they come with a 2 year warranty, and are extremely easy to clean after the hatch, but you are paying a good deal more for a machine with less capacity.
I hatch and sell just enough chicks to cover the cost of feed, so I opted for the Brinsea 20 Advance. Extremely dependable, and easy to use with the auto-turner, but costs $360-380.
Your long term goals and initial budget will make the decision for you

 

[AmyLynn2374]

What to get as a first time incubator depends on your long term goals. You've had chickens for a few years, so I am assuming you will be hatching more than one or two batches, possibly selling chicks? Styrofoam incubators can work, they just take a lot more babysitting. Amy has great results in hers, but she sleeps much less during those 21 days than I do using a Brinsea. I work long hours, and I needed something that was on autopilot, so the Brinsea was worth the money for me.
For a budget of $100 or less, I would buy the best styrofoam I could afford. I agree with Amy, the LG9300 is horrible. I would look for a Hovabator
$100-200 I would start looking at a loaded to the gills Hovabator, with auto turn and all, a Brinsea Mini Advance or a Brinsea Eco20. The Hovabator will have the highest capacity (48 eggs), but will require more attention. The Mini Advance has the smallest capacity (7eggs), but you plug it in and it does all the work. The Eco20 requires you turn the machine to turn the eggs, but is an extremely stable environment. The other plus to the Brinseas is they come with a 2 year warranty, and are extremely easy to clean after the hatch, but you are paying a good deal more for a machine with less capacity.
I hatch and sell just enough chicks to cover the cost of feed, so I opted for the Brinsea 20 Advance. Extremely dependable, and easy to use with the auto-turner, but costs $360-380.
Your long term goals and initial budget will make the decision for you

Sleep??? What's this you speak of???

 

[scflock]

Sleep??? What's this you speak of???