Some recommended incubators?

[Ron]

Having read the problems some have with incubators, I was wondering what are some of the best, hobby-sized (20-30 chicken egg) incubators out there? Some suggestions and success stories? Thanks in advance for any replies.

 

[AussieSharon]

My incubator of choice is the Hova Bator 1588 Genesis. It is preset, has a large viewing window and basically all you need to do once the eggs are in is add water every couple of days to keep humidity. The plastic tray at the bottom has several places to add water which makes it great on day 18 when you need to bump it up.

I purchased both of mine at Cutler Supply for right at $120 including shipping.

 

[Poison Ivy]

I have the hova 1588 and it's great it has the plastic liner which makes it easy to clean. Plus it holds temps great since it's pre-set. I paid abouT $160 with chicken & quail trays for the turner and shipping.

 

[hypnofrogstevie]

I paid $150.00 for my brower top hatch. got 11 out of 15 to hatch but all 15 where fertile. I got duck eggs which should be hatching on thursday. It is dishwasher safe and made of plastic not styrofoam so that means you can use it over and over without replacing anything. No wafer thermostat either. Only problems I have with it is the motor and the light flashing which shows its heating up. I heard people using the 1588 hovabator and the temps are preset so you dont have to constantly play with the temps. I plan on buying an rcom 20 pro but its about $650

 

[speckledhen]

The preset Hova has great reviews. I use the circulated air Hovabator with the wafer thermostat and have had great results with it, but I usually incubate in it and hatch in my homemade Fridge-a-Bator these days. My next hatch, however, will have to be done in both because I have too many eggs for just the Hova or the homemade one to handle alone.

 

[claud]

Styrofoam circulated air Hovabator w/auto turner. I've used it for about 8 years. I do one hatch per year(sometimes two) and never lost a hatch. I have the one with the wafer thermostat but there are upgraded models now - maybe someone else will have info on them.

 

[coffeemama]

I know I'm going to get the hova 1588 w/ turner. I hear great things about it, and it's not so expensive as some. I just got the go ahead from dh to order one!

 

[Poison Ivy]

Quote:
Oh you could buy yourself a sportsman with that kind of money! Just think of the eggs you could hatch out!!!! I had the r-com and loved it but I sold it so I could get a sportsman which I love even more if that's possible. lol

 

[MaransGuy]

I also have to recommend the 1588. The temp fluctuates less than 1 degree even though the room may vary 15-20 degrees throughout the day. Excellent hatches and super low maintenance!

Richard

 

[twigg]

Oh you could buy yourself a sportsman with that kind of money!

Agreed. But he asked about 20/30 egg incubators!

You probably identified the best .... the R-Com.

The new Brinsea Octagon 20 EX might be a close runner up. It now includes humidity control as standard, and it's cheaper.

Not tried one so I can't judge them first hand.​