Newbie here...Incubator Question

[franckowiakfarm]

Hi everyone. I just got my first two Bourbon Reds (tom and a hen) this past weekend and want to get an incubator. I've been looking around online and thought this would be a great place to get some suggestions.

Background: I'm completely new to turkeys. We live on a farm in Northern Michigan and grow all types of grain (corn, oats, soybeans, etc.) and have been wanting to add animals to our farm. Fell in love with turkeys and really liked the Bourbon Reds. A local farmer was selling hers so I purchased them. I am wanting to try hatching and was hoping to get some ideas on budget friendly incubators. I'm hoping my hen lays some eggs and am also considering purchasing a couple dozen more.

Anyway, what type of incubator do you use? What is your success rate of hatching Bourbon Reds? Do turkey eggs fit into the automatic egg turners that come with some units such as the Little Giant or Hova-Bator? Any info is greatly appreciated!!! Looking forward to this new adventure! Thanks.

 

[Jesz]

We converted a mini frig into a bator and it works great. There is a youtube video on how to do this step by step. We also converted a mini wine cooler into a hatcher and when the eggs go in there we call it "lock down". Works great, especially if you have small children that want to watch them hatch, has a glass door for them to see.

The turkey eggs do fit into the automatic egg turner.

Congrats on your br's

 

[franckowiakfarm]

Thanks so much. I will definitely check that out. I do have three young boys (one 4 yr old and 3 yr old twins) and they would love being able to see them hatch. Again, thanks so much! I look forward to learning so much on this board.

 

[Jesz]

The wine cooler in on the top and we had quails hatch last night so everyone can see them. The mini frig can hold almost 60 turkey & chicken eggs and quails eggs around 180.

We are not hatching any chickens at this time we have too many already. I have turkey eggs in the bator right now. We have been putting them in the bator every friday. This way they will hatch over the weekend when everyone is home and we can check on them often.

 

[franckowiakfarm]

Thanks for the pics. I'm going to try and find a video and make one. i love the idea of watching them hatch!