Stay away from this incubator!!

[CaptainKarru]

First time incubating, I wish I would have done more research on incubators... I just figured that if an incubator was being sold it would incubate eggs.... This is an old model and doesn't even have a way to add water in without opening up the incubator. Can't keep temperature stable at all and a screw broke off of it immediately All of the eggs lined up with the heating coil in it have died, from becoming too hot, when the temperature randomly spiked in the night (If that wouldn't have happened, then the outside eggs may have possibly died instead from getting too cold?? Since it's such a heat difference) anyway.. I know this company has made improvements to this incubator now in newer models, but I still wouldn't trust this type

 

[BirdsBeesTrees]

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First time incubating, I wish I would have done more research on incubators... I just figured that if an incubator was being sold it would incubate eggs.... This is an old model and doesn't even have a way to add water in without opening up the incubator. Can't keep temperature stable at all and a screw broke off of it immediately All of the eggs lined up with the heating coil in it have died, from becoming too hot, when the temperature randomly spiked in the night (If that wouldn't have happened, then the outside eggs may have possibly died instead from getting too cold?? Since it's such a heat difference) anyway.. I know this company has made improvements to this incubator now in newer models, but I still wouldn't trust this type

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...e-giant-incubator-for-hatching-success.75734/
You can still use the incubator if you tweek some things. That opening for one could be used to add water with a funnel and a rubber straw. However it doesn't hurt anything at all to open the incubator 2 or 3 times a day.

 

[CaptainKarru]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...e-giant-incubator-for-hatching-success.75734/
You can still use the incubator if you tweek some things. That opening for one could be used to add water with a funnel and a rubber straw. However it doesn't hurt anything at all to open the incubator 2 or 3 times a day.

Yes, the plastic mesh makes it hard though, when I opened it and add water I have to use a little syringe so that it can go in between the squares and not get the eggs wet, and it takes a long time.
I've also found that if I put a heating pad UNDER the incubator on its lowest setting, the incubator can be turned down a tiny bit and the overall temperature inside is a LOT more stable with less hott and cold spots! ....but, like, as a first time hatch, I had zero idea that something like that would be an issue.
Ive learned a ton and could probably get high hatch rates out of this incubator after a few tweaks for NEXT TIME.. but SO MUCH micromanaging that there probably won't be a next time.
I lost 60% of my eggs (as far we we know so far. Hatch is in a few days, so hopefully the remaining ones ARE all still healthy and viable! )