No idea what incubator to try!

[acovey24]

I'm not sure what brand or kind of incubator to try! I live in west Texas. We don't have any hens laying yet but I want to be prepared for when they do. I don't reckon I will need a very large incubator. Would maybe upgrade later if this is something I want to do! Any suggestions?

 

[AmyLynn2374]

I'm not sure what brand or kind of incubator to try! I live in west Texas. We don't have any hens laying yet but I want to be prepared for when they do. I don't reckon I will need a very large incubator. Would maybe upgrade later if this is something I want to do! Any suggestions?

Hi.

It all depends on what you can afford. If you have the funds and can go Brinsea....that would be way to go. They are essentially set em and forget bators. (If you go with the advanced and don't have to hand turn.) Even with the Eco's you've got a lot better quality. If you are going to go with the cheaper end and look at the styrofoam bators, I would consider the Hovabator lines before the others. I recommend against the Little Giant (especially the 9300 model), if you don't have the time to babysit for temps. Then you have your Janoels-I've heard mixed reviews about. The Farm Innovator I've heard mixed reviews on as well. (But better than LG).
Once you incubate successfully you will be addicted, so I would definietly NOT go with a small bator. Chicken math+small bators=trouble....lol You can always incubate less in a bigger bator but you can't go bigger in a smaller bator.

 

[flatcreek]

I just bought a rite farms 3600 pro digital incubator from coopsNmore. I took it out of the box, plugged it in, put two thermometers in it and let it run for a couple of hours. When I started to check the temps, all three thermometers read the same every time I looked. After 36 hours with the same results, I put 36 eggs in and after two days the temperature still reads between 99 and 100 and the humidity at 55%. Right out of the box with no adjustments.

 

[AmyLynn2374]

I just bought a rite farms 3600 pro digital incubator from coopsNmore. I took it out of the box, plugged it in, put two thermometers in it and let it run for a couple of hours. When I started to check the temps, all three thermometers read the same every time I looked. After 36 hours with the same results, I put 36 eggs in and after two days the temperature still reads between 99 and 100 and the humidity at 55%. Right out of the box with no adjustments.

Hi!

I don't think I've heard of that one. I'll have to look it up. Next spring I'm thinking about switching out and getting a new one. I've been leaning toward the Hovabator 1588 myself. I like the bigger viewing window.

 

[AmyLynn2374]

I just bought a rite farms 3600 pro digital incubator from coopsNmore. I took it out of the box, plugged it in, put two thermometers in it and let it run for a couple of hours. When I started to check the temps, all three thermometers read the same every time I looked. After 36 hours with the same results, I put 36 eggs in and after two days the temperature still reads between 99 and 100 and the humidity at 55%. Right out of the box with no adjustments.

Hi!

I don't think I've heard of that one. I'll have to look it up. Next spring I'm thinking about switching out and getting a new one. I've been leaning toward the Hovabator 1588 myself. I like the bigger viewing window.

Ok, I have seen those. You'll have to let me know how well they work during incubation and how well you do with it.

 

[CherriesBrood]

I would, really recommend the small mini advance brineasa. I have one and it works really great! It hatches 7 and usually 6 always hatch! It's a really good incubator! I give it 5 stars!

 

[flatcreek]

A little over halfway of day 20. I have two hatched out this morning and many more piped. The two that hatched did so quickly and seem to be very strong. They are all over the place and knocking eggs around. So far so good. I don't expect a real high percentage, because of some broody hens while I was gathering eggs and some were sat on for awhile. The incubator has worked perfectly.

 

[AmyLynn2374]

A little over halfway of day 20. I have two hatched out this morning and many more piped. The two that hatched did so quickly and seem to be very strong. They are all over the place and knocking eggs around. So far so good. I don't expect a real high percentage, because of some broody hens while I was gathering eggs and some were sat on for awhile. The incubator has worked perfectly.

Congrats!! The temps stayed steady throughout the hatch? Sounds like a good deal then.

 

[flatcreek]

I had a 46% hatch rate the fist time around, which was as good as I could of expected for the way the eggs were handled. The temps held steady with no variations at any time I checked them. I have it full and running again and the temperature is still holding steady at 99.6 with no adjustments. I add water just enough to keep the humidity in mid to upper 40% area as that seemed to be good for this unit. If the chicks hatch on time and are strong and active right out of the shell, that tells me the machine is working just fine.

 

[AmyLynn2374]

I had a 46% hatch rate the fist time around, which was as good as I could of expected for the way the eggs were handled. The temps held steady with no variations at any time I checked them. I have it full and running again and the temperature is still holding steady at 99.6 with no adjustments. I add water just enough to keep the humidity in mid to upper 40% area as that seemed to be good for this unit. If the chicks hatch on time and are strong and active right out of the shell, that tells me the machine is working just fine.

Good luck!