so many incubaters...

[Poison Ivy]

It helps to add the water heater element to the homemade ones. Mine holds the temps better since I added it. Once you find the 99.5 or 100 mark it cycles on and off.

 

[ChrystalGail]

Well, I was happy with it. I live in AZ where the temps get up to 110+ during the day, so I didn't even know if I would be able to hatch any out. I got the eggs from someone local, so I wouldn't have to worry about shipping in this heat. So, I don't know if the eggs were collected regularly or if they were left until evening. There are so many things that go into this. Quick question... Do you calculate your hatchrate from the total eggs place in the incubator or just the viable ones? If it is just the viable ones then my hatch rate was 83%. Anyway grayfields, I am definatly going to use your suggestion of putting it in the closet next time to see if I get a better rate. But, to be honest I was happy with the ones I got. I have 28 cute little fuzzy butts that are the apple of my eye right now! HeHe...

 

[jkcove08]

If you have a basement then that is the best place to put it.. The temp stays right around 65 all year long. I caculate my hatch rate by the eggs that were viable. If nothing ever started growing then you dont know if it was even fertile. I usually base mine on what is still growing after the first candling. If I candle the first time and find a blood ring but cant see an actual embryo I dont even figure that one in. I am not a big one on keeping track of hatches though. I think next year I will probably start keeping records of hatches and good or bad. I have just got the wrinkles worked out so that I am having better and better hatches now. Jenn

 

[fdnick]

I just found a good buy locally on a sportsman 1502.. is this a good model??

 

[greyfields]

Quote:
omg yes it is

 

[fdnick]

COOL.. I will call him up and sew up the deal :O)
thanks fellow chickenites!! :O)

 

[ChrystalGail]

Can you buy the heating elements from the hardware store? How do you hook them up?

Thanks!

 

[Poison Ivy]

Quote:
I bought mine at lowes for around $8. MissPrissy has the instructions in her post chick chick bator.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=8510

 

[rittert3]

Personally i like gqf bators, i currently have and older style hovabator that has done me good until my last two settings but i think that was due to problems with egg handle pirior to me receiving them. I would like to get a sportsman 1502 digital but right now it's out of my prices range with that i would run stagerd cluches and keep my hovabator as a hatcher. also have a question regarding homemade bators anybody know if there are digital thermostats on the market that are compatable with hot water heating elements and if so what the price range is.

 

[Intheswamp]

Quote:
Here are a couple of digital thermostats. I don't think the thermo for the 1588 would be compatible with a waterheater heating element. The reptile thermostat *might* be. Why not use something other than a waterheater element? I don't believe I've heard of using that for the heater. ?????

Here is the replacement thermostat for the 1588...it is digital. There area actually two different models. This one is for older 1588's that are simply wired "wire to wire" with no "quick disconnect" between thermostat and heater.... GQF Digital Thermostat $64.95 + shipping.

Here is a digital thermostat that some folks have used with success, though I believe it's intended for reptiles, it appears more "plug and play".... ReptiTemp 500R $25-$35 + shipping.

I hope this helps you,
Best wishes,
Ed