Reptipro 5000 Incubator

[StevenW.]

Yeah, this incubator is a lot better than the styrofoam incubators when it comes to keeping temp and humidity.

 

[tornado8070]

Quote:
I agree...thanks Chris.

 

[gryeyes]

Thank you, Chris. You have relieved my concerns. I've only had one chick hatch (so far) and I did open the door a couple of times a day with the eggs, so there's a chance I have delayed the rest of the eggs' hatching. And with the solo chick in it, I opened the door about four times during that 24 hour period!

Chick is now in the brooder and I'll stop opening the 'bator door so often, now. Thanks again.

 

[buttermilkranchhen]

We just had a very successful hatch with our ReptiPro 5000. My granddaughter and I both got one for Christmas. She's waiting on her eggs to be able to start using hers, but out of 9 fertile eggs we hatched 9 Delaware chicks. All are fluffed out in the brooder, happy, and healthy. I stand by my ReptiPro 100%. Thanks Chris. I'm getting ready to try it again. I do realize however, that I won't always be that lucky, but that's okay too.

 

[Jonny]

Ok, so I had two chicks hatch so far. I must have messed up on the humidity, my thermometer/hygrometer was not showing right. But I'm pleased with the two.
Now I'm waiting for some silkies, and hope they will make it! (staggered hatch)

The Reptipro has proven to have a very stabile thermometer and humidity. The air difference between the top and bottom is a concern in my eyes. I don't think the incubator is perfectly suited for hatching chicks. The shelf that comes with it is an example. First of all, the shelf has too big of holes in them. I did put a plastic screen to cover the holes so the chicks won't fall down or get stuck in the holes. However, since the upper part got so much warmer I thought I was blocking too much air circulation so I cut several holes in the screen.. Bad idea.. today when one chick hatched it fell down one of the holes head first and got stuck. (luckily I was watching the whole time and was able to rescue it. Another concern is the gap between the shelf and the door. I thought of putting something there to make the gap smaller, but for some reason I never did. Bad idea#2! My first chick that hatched fell down and landed on its head.. I was also watching this and was able to rescue it. It went fine, but it got me very concerned.

I don't think this incubator was ever meant for hatching chicks.. that's all I can say. When you have to secure the incubator from becoming chick dangerous I don't think it's well suited for hatching chicks.. unless you make some changes to it.

I think that if Reptipro adjusts these issues, plus, give it a second shelf instead of saying in their manual that you can make your own, it could be a good unit (the temp difference needs to be fixed too..)
So for newbies like me, I would not recommend this incubator... yet!

 

[perolane]

Quote:
Glad ya got 2 chicks Jonny!!

Sorry to hear you had problems but so glad you were there to help them! Let us know how the silkies do! This will be a staggered hatch & sometimes hard to pull off for your first hatch. Line your shelf now with paper towel or shelf liner & stick a piece of thick foam stripping to the edge of that shelf. That's all you need to do to solve those problems.

And you're right...this incubator was not initially set up for hatching chicks...that's why we do the few modifications. Chris says they are working on these issues & as soon as they are in place, I will be the first to purchase one...of course I'll still use the old 2 I already have!

In this price range...heck even in some higher priced bators...you'll never get the steady temp & humidity control that you get with the Reptipro!

 

[Three Cedars Silkies]

I do have to agree with above post, but ONLY because it is advertised as great for hatching chickens. If I was buying reptile incubator and TRYING it for chicken, then the onus is on me to do due diligence.

Once an item is advertised for use in hatching chicken eggs, then I think the safety issues related to hatching chicks should be factored and corrected. A 2-3 degree difference in temperature from top to bottom is too much, although I do agree that humidity is probably more important than temperature.

I guess my point is if you have to modify it significantly to use it has a chick incubator, why not just build your own for MUCH less $$? A mini refrigerator will hold 2 turners and is a cinch to convert to an incubator.

Chris, this post is not intended to offend you or denigrate your incubator. I do think you have an almost great product for chick incubation and hatching!

With a few tweaks here and there, I'd be all in!!

 

[pascopol]

There are much better choices for a bator in $250 price range.

First, repti 5000 was designed for reptiles eggs, obviously it dos not preclude it from hatching birds eggs, but the capacity is small.

Internal dimensions are about 10 X 10 X 15 that means you can not even fit standart GQF or LG 42 egg turner in it.

Also a temperature difference between bottom and upper shelf is reported. So much for potential placing eggs on 2 levels. No good.

Better spend 250 bucks for some kind of a Brinsea with bells and whistles or get 2 Brinsea ECO,s.




No brainer here.

 

[perolane]

Quote:
*The Brinsea Eco runs about $100 & holds 10 eggs. My Reptipro costs $150 & holds 37 eggs.
*Turners are available....I think it's 32 egg capacity with turner...still more than Brinsea's 10 egg capacity.
*I have top/bottom temperature difference of 2 degees...I place eggs on the upper & middle levels & have great hatches. ...Yes, I place eggs on 2 levels.

No brainer??? I don't think so....but then not all of us can afford expensive incubators with "all the bells & whistles" or even need them.. those who can & do, go for it!

 

[StevenW.]

Quote:
*The Brinsea Eco runs about $100 & holds 10 eggs. My Reptipro costs $150 & holds 37 eggs.
*Turners are available....I think it's 32 egg capacity with turner...still more than Brinsea's 10 egg capacity.
*I have top/bottom temperature difference of 2 degees...I place eggs on the upper & middle levels & have great hatches. ...Yes, I place eggs on 2 levels.

No brainer??? I don't think so....but then not all of us can afford expensive incubators with "all the bells & whistles" or even need them.. those who can & do, go for it!