Official BYC Poll: What type of incubator do you use?

[dbtcowgirl]

I started with homemade foam ice chest incubators, then I found multiple "no name" incubators. With lots of work I have had success with these, but you sort of have to count on them being unreliable and put in the extra work to get good results. I recently found a second hand but in great condition GQF Sportsman Cabinet incubator. I'm working on my first hatch out of it and am loving the ease of use and consistency.

 

[FluffyBottomBantams]

I Typically use the janoel 12 incubator with the self turner, but we’ve been having a bugger of a time keeping the humidity constant because you just pour water the bottom of it and theres no specification about how much to put in anywhere.anyone else use this darn thing?? We’ve also used a broody before, and that’s a great time, it’s rough on the hens though.

 

[Ebony Rose]

I use the much maligned Farm Innovator, model 4250 pro series digital incubator. I have replaced half of the (chicken) rails with quail rails so I don't have to swap rails in and out repeatedly, as I found the process of changing the rails tedious.
I have found the precise make and model on amazon website at https://www.amazon.com/Farm-Innovators-4250-Circulated-Incubator/dp/B00TTYLIKY (I am not sponsored on this link).

I have never had a problem with this incubator, despite mountains of bad reviews.
I do not add water when incubating as I live in an exceptionally high humidity area. Although the incubator will report the humidity level, you cannot regulate the humidity in any way other than to add (or remove) water from the machine.
It comes standard with a removable, slotted, easy to clean plastic floor to eliminate the possibility of a chick falling into the water below and drowning.

This 40w unit uses about $5 worth of electricity during the months when I incubate. Electricity is expensive where I live, so if you live in the States or other First-World nation, it's likely that you wouldn't even notice the extra electric usage.

 

[Poultrybonkers]

I have two hovabators forced air been using them for about 8 years

 

[Gail Laubenthal]

I use a Brinsea Maxi II and a Nurture Right 360. I like them both.

 

[Corbdee]

I use one that idk the name of. It’s not an extremely common one but it does an amazing job. It’s not very tall, has a plexiglass window Over the majority of the top, has yellow turners and a humidity kettle so you don’t have to open the incubator. But I’m hoping to buy a little giant incubator at TSC or something when this one stops working

 

[SueT]

I love my broody hen for hatching, but this March, for something to do during the stay at home period, I bought my first incubator, a Janoel 12 (which has a fan and turns the eggs.) All the eggs hatched, I was impressed by the ease of using it. Broody and I each hatched 7 eggs.

 

[Ebony Rose]

...But I’m hoping to buy a little giant incubator at TSC or something when this one stops working

I prefer to prepare for disaster when it comes to incubating eggs.
Your current incubator (anybody's current incubator) may last a dozen years, or it could 'conk out' on your next hatch.

I'd like to recommend that you purchase a backup incubator before this one stops working. You can leave it in the box, brand new, until that fateful day when you find yourself in need of it. This backup plan will save you the stress of either rushing to a store and buying whatever they have available or waiting for it to be delivered.

Perhaps that's just the prepper (slash) girl scout talking, but it's what I've done, and what I recommend.

 

[FluffyBottomBantams]

I love my broody hen for hatching, but this March, for something to do during the stay at home period, I bought my first incubator, a Janoel 12 (which has a fan and turns the eggs.) All the eggs hatched, I was impressed by the ease of using it. Broody and I each hatched 7 eggs.
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Same here! It seems to hatch very well. But How do you go about keeping the humidity in it??

 

[CATHY68]

My first ever incabator I bought this yr and hatched 40 Turkey eggs in it and very successful it was nurture rt 360