ReptiPro 5000: anyone use it?

[silkiechick05]

Anyone have any experience with the ReptiPro 5000?

http://www.reptipro.com/supplies/incubators/reptipro-5000-reptile-incubator.html

would this work for chicken eggs you think?

 

[trash80]

Here's the same thing, only $150 cheaper:

http://www.thinkgeek.com/homeoffice/gear/6ad2/

I believe these use Peltier thermoelectric devices, which some members believe to be inferior. I don't have experience in using Peltiers as heaters. They make alright coolers.

But,

http://www.darksidereptiles.com/forum/index.php/topic,3507.0.html

Reptile owners have spoke of success with them.

 

[whitewolfvt]

Awesome Awesome incubator!

There is another thread on here of a few of us trying these out. I just took it and 4 eggs over to my daughters school a little over a week ago. The eggs were already started in the incubator. 2 hatched today and 2 more are working on it. The first person to try one of these had all 8 of her eggs hatch. You can't beat a 100% hatch rate!

These things hold the heat and humidity beautifully. Whatever you do though....DO NOT drill holes into the door because you think it needs ventilation. True, the air is recirculated inside and you can't fit any conventional turner in there, but just by opening the door to turn the eggs gives it the air transfer that is needed. I also opened the door a couple of times a day when it was in lock down because they keep the heat so well and the humidity only takes minute or 2 to get back up to normal, if at all. I highly recommending one of these. If you decide to get one and have questions, please let me know. I am VERY happy with it and the Styrofoam piece of **** is going bye bye

Yvette

 

[smokyriver]

I just purchased one and have placed 20 eggs on the shelf. I am looking at building a second shelf and possibly placing a plastic basket in the bottom of it for brooding the chicks until they are dry. I am using egg cartons to hatch in, but am thinking of going to the hardware store and getting the same wire that is used for the bottom of the hovas to attach to the shelf to make the spaces smaller, without restricting air flow. I am thinking of taking a cake rack and cutting it down for the shelf (the type with the grid, not just the single wire bands. I am thinking that with these modifications or if I decide instead of the basket in the bottom to place eggs in the bottom on a cake rack also and rotate them on the shelves I should be able to have approx 60 eggs in it. I am going to maybe try this next year when I will have more of my own eggs, unless I can find some free eggs close to me to try it out.

 

[perolane]

Do a search here for "Reptipro"...lots of info!

 

[MustLoveHens]

I have one! I got mine off Ebay with no turner. It is very cool and I love it. It holds the heat and humidity very well. To be completely honest, my first hatch-the test hatch-did not go well at all. I lost all 15 eggs. This was my fault and not the incubators though. I had the humidity way to high and the babies drowned. I have another batch going and I'm running it dry at the moment. So far the humidity is at 30%. A little low, but I've had stormy weather, so once the storms leave, I'll add just a touch of water to bring up the humidity a little.

I love the shelf and ordered another since I'm not super crafty and did not like the additional ones I made from the foam core board. I used the smallest sized squares of hardware cloth to cover the shelf with so the chickie body parts can't fall through the self. This also allows for good air flow. I cut the cloth to size and used plastic coated garden twist ties to hold the cloth to the shelf. I also made egg holder rings out of empty toilet paper rolls. It makes turning the eggs a breeze and they can't roll. Here is a pic of my self with eggs. I have 12 bantam eggs in it.

I like smokyriver's idea of a basket to brood the hatchees in till they dry. I'll have to see if I can find a small plastic basket. I love the fact that cleaning and disinfection it is a snap. Much easier then the styrofoam types of incubators.

 

[gallatea]

I have one - so far, so good. 1st time hatch and so far they are pipping day 20. You have to keep the thermostat set several degrees higher than what's on the machine to get 99.5 and it's not an exact science. (it will never show .5) I had to purchase extra hydrometers and thermometers for it to figure out settings. I like the egg turner that came with it - you will get a higher hatch rate with a turner.

Also the eggs are supposed to be positioned with the big end up at a 15 degree angle, not laying flat on the side like someone posted in a photo - the egg turner can help with this too, or just put them in an egg stand and turn side to side 3 times a day or so - I made one with halves of plastic easter eggs when I had too many eggs at one point (glued them together side by side).

Mine was about $200 with the turner on Ebay. Also, I wanted to add shelves too - but be careful with that as the temp. can vary in a big way depending on vertical level in the frig. But thermometers can tell you what's going on. You just can't incubate 2 shelves at a time as they'd be at different temps.

Also, I wouldn't use galvanized mesh for baby birds or eggs, the galvanizing is poisonous. They do have vinyl coated wire exactly the same sizing (it's usually green) - just softer and non-toxic.

 

[Chickenrandomness]

i'm pretty sure a reptile incubator could work, as long as you can get it up to temperature and humidity, heck, i'm using a plant incubator for my eggs!

 

[semm2020]

Whatever you do, DO NOT buy this incubator. It is very good looking but that is where it ends. The temperature on the top shelf is 4 degrees warmer than the bottom so if you have more than 12 eggs, you are in deep trouble. The turner gets stuck on the back or front as there is very little clearance. The thermostat is very bad and often goes up. Mine went up after 45 days and there is only a 30 day warrantee. Reptipro would not even return my calls or e-mails.

Trust me, it is a waste of $200.

steve