Okay Peeps! What's the best Incubator for under $100? *GOT ONE!!!* :D

[BriteChicken]

I'm looking to get a few Lavender hatching eggs but no one I've checked with sells Lav Orp chicks so it looks like I'm going to have to incubate as the subject says ^ I'm just starting off and want to keep it sorta low cost.

Please list Name, Model, and Pros/Cons

Thanks a bunch in advance!

 

[Sweetfolly]

Brinsea Mini Eco - only holds around 10 eggs and you'd have to manually turn, but (at something like $80 after shipping) it's the BEST incubator for under $100 if you want a perfect, steady temperature.

If you can spring for an extra $30, the Brinsea Octagon 20 Eco is what I use (it's around $130 after shipping). You'd still have to manually turn, but you can turn the whole incubator, you don't have to open it up and turn the eggs individually, and it holds around 24 chicken eggs. It holds a perfect, stable temperature, and it's really a "set it and forget it" incubator. I have two of them and one auto-turning cradle (which you can get later on as an upgrade) and I LOVE them.

Also, in the same price range as the Octagon 20 Eco is the Hovabator Genesis. It holds closer to 50 chicken eggs. You'd have to open the 'bator and manually turn the eggs individually (or spring for another $50 for a turner), but the Genesis is supposed to be a great incubator too.

 

[msheets]

The incubators mentioned above are very good from what I've heard & my aunt loves hers. But if you're looking for something that doesn't need shipped & can be found locally, I really like my Little Giant 9200. It holds the temp better than the other bator in it's class & can hold I believe 46 medium sized chicken eggs. You can get a turner for it but I almost prefer turning them myself...for now lol. I bought 2, one at a resale shop for $24.99 & the other at a farm store for $41.99 (more realistic price).

 

[BriteChicken]

I'm trying not to feed my chicken addiction too much Lol! but I've been seriously considering the Octagon 20 ECO since I know I won't be able to do just 10 eggs at I time when I do incubate that's why I'm thinking about the Oct 20 ECO plus it's on sale for 50 bucks some places!

 

[Woodcutterron]

We have a Little Giant 9200 . . . and I don't like it at all. From what I've read here, the thermostat is pretty 'hit or miss' as far as it's ability to hold a steady temp. Apparently we got one of the "misses'. Further, I hate trying to fill the humidity trays with water, particularly if you have the egg turner. For filling the trays, I use a syringe with a piece of aquarium tube stock on it to fill the trays, but it's a poorly engineered design.

One thing that helps with the "tweaky" thermostat adjustment is to simply put a large knob on it. It's MUCH easier to 'microadjust' with a knob. That stem is simply too tiny to move it in hair-like increments necessary to get reasonable temp adjustments. It's like if your heart beats while you're adjusting the 'twig-like adjustment stem, you bump it up or down three degrees . . .it's quite frustrating if you don't put a knob on it. I save knobs off old electronic gear, so I had one the right size, but Radio Shack probably has something that'll fit.

I'm building my own, that way I know it will do the job, and be easy to use . . . If I can Just get the RANCO controller to function right. It won't shut off. I've checked and double checked the wiring diagram, but it just leaves the element on constantly, even tough I can hear it clicking at the proper temperature.

Just my thoughts, some folks love their 9200's . . . guess they got one of the "hits" . . .but even in a best case scenario, it has some shortcomings that simply redesigning the mold they blow the polystyrene in could easily solve . . .and dang! Miller Mfg . . .how about including a knob, and charging an extra 2 bucks or something!

 

[georgialee]

Well, I had good luck with my little giant. Plus, TSC stocks it and the turner that goes with it. I had very steady temps the whole time. Yes, it's a pain to fill the water wells but it doesn't evaporate that quickly - I think I filled them twice before lockdown. I just marked on my turner where to pour to get it in the wells (plus having a flashlight helps, too). I hatched 8 out of 11 eggs... not too bad for a first timer. I think it was around $80 for the bator and turner. The turner holds 41 eggs.

 

[BriteChicken]

Is the LG Styrofoam? I've been looking into those too.. are all Hova bator's Styrofoam?

 

[Woodcutterron]

Yes it's Styrofoam too. (The Little Giant)

 

[kathyinmo]

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I have some in the incubator now, and I can ship them to you when they hatch.

PM me if you are interested.

 

[UGAchick]

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Where did you find this price??! I really want one and would buy it at the price!