Newbie very upset - the local "bird lady" yells/need encouragement

[CityGirlintheCountry]

Ignore the crazy lady. You'll be fine.

My first incubator was a Hovabator 1602 that I bought at the local co-op. I later purchased a Hovabator Genesis 1588 through GFQ. The 1602 was trickier to use because I didn't have a fan in it. However, when the room temps were stable I got great hatches out of that one. It is more of a problem when the room air temp moves around, but when I used it with the AC on I had no problems. The 1588 is GREAT! I have had excellent hatches in that one. When I have had a problem it was all user error and not the incubator.
Not all of us have the money or the space for the big cabinet incubators. These little styrofoam jobs work great for us. Just have fun hatching out your chicks!

And...

 

[cherprit]

Thank you, I will!!! I'm so excited! I love this forum

 

[dadsdeercamp]

ive heard all kinds of bad stuff about lg but ive owned 4 over the years and have never had any problems with them. some people just dont know what thay are talking about. dont let her get you down you will do just fine. I HAVE FAITH IN YOU

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

I am so excited for you

Do not fret - when I got my LG (very well used before I bought it third hand) I read reviews on here and was crushed. BUT me and the LG seem to have some kinda bond and it works great for me, much to my DH's slight dismay

 

[Wild Trapper]

I bought my first incubator last summer, a Hova-Bator 2362N. It has the fan and I also got the auto turner for it. I did my first batch of eggs last Aug-Sept. I got a 60%+ hatch. I did a boat load of things wrong as I found out later, but none of what I did wrong was the fault of the incubator.

First, I set it up out in the barn, equals radical temperature changes. Set it up at a stable 68-75 F room and get the temp set to 99-100F for about a day before you load it.

When it is loaded and going, if you don't have the turner, make sure to mark your eggs and turn them as the instructions say, keeping an eye on the amount of water in the tray. Okay, I have the turner, and I but I did keep the water right, up until lock down, then I didn't fill the outer part of the tray. I still got a hatch.

Third thing I messed up on, that I can remember, was not leaving the chicks in the bator, until all had hatched. By opening it to pull out chicks, I lost even more of the needed humidity fro a proper hatch, essentially I shrunk rapped several that might have hatched latter. Still with me? None of these things are the fault of the Hova-Bator.

While that may not be a boat load, but it was several mistakes that were all my fault, partly from not following the directions properly.

BTW, the little thermometer that came with my Hova separated over winter and I've not been able to get all back down, but while in TSC looking at the chicks.

I ran across one for under $4 that also has a humidity gage in it. I am not sure how accurate that part of it is, but the thermometer is spot on. I have an idea the little fan in mine helps keep the humidity up better than a still air might, but you can wick a still air bator to bring the humidity up.

One last note, I just set 36 eggs in it yesterday and the temperature and humidity have been rock steady since it stabilized last night. This time it is set up in my home office.

 

[BooBear]

Honestly did not like the LG. I currently have the Brinsea Eco with auto turner and love it.
I have read alot of positive posts on the Hovabators so you probably will be fine.

Happy hatching and may you hatch a bunch of happy fuzzy butts.

 

[cherprit]

Thank you for sharing all of that! I'm reading everything I can!

 

[Fyrekitten]

You'll be fine! Don't worry about it - everyone has their preferences and I'm like you if I could afford the fancy cabinets at this point I would "pony" up the money. As it is I "ponied up" the money for four units in the last year and my husband made one that is actually pretty great. I am new to hatching but i have hatched quite a few out of the Little Giant incubators. I have a Hovabator that I actually prefer as it seems to hold the humidity better than my Little Giants but if you just monitor them they'll be just fine!

Well, that's my 2 cents for now.