Thats IT I'm gonna ask...

[sparkles2307]

I cant take it anymore, I MUST get some hatching eggs! DH will just have to deal with the fact that I am going to get an incubator for my b-day in July. I only want a small one, like 30 egg capacity. Suggestions? I am assuming I will want forced air, correct? I want it to be as easy and low maint. as possible.

 

[ChanceRider]

In my vast experience of one time incubating turkey eggs, I'd recommend the Brinsea line of 'bators. I purchased the ECO 20 with autoturn cradle and love it. It's almost foolproof, holds a steady temp, easy to use and cleaned up in just a couple of minutes. It's hard plastic as opposed to the styrofoam 'bators. The one I have holds 24 eggs but there are models that will take more.

When I purchased mine the 'bator and cradle were both on sale for a total of about $150.

Now I just have to be patient until my next order of turkey eggs arrives by mail.

 

[Akane]

Price range? A hova genesis 1588 is often mentioned as a cost effective low maintenance bator. Brinsea will likely run you a bit more to a lot more. Anything that holds a really small number of eggs is not going to be effective or it's going to be insanely expensive (rcom mini) because the small amount of area means it doesn't hold heat or humidity well. Most of the standard table top bators hold about 40 standard chicken eggs and even those have some trouble maintaining the proper levels. Styrofoam bators only function well in a room with a stable temp. Doesn't matter if that temp is rather warm or rather cool so long as it doesn't fluctuate. Even if you don't plan to hatch more than 6-12 eggs a larger bator will give you more room for error and you can always take up the extra space with some bottled water containers. The water helps hold heat in a bator with few eggs so there are less fluctuations. I frequently put just 6 or less bantam eggs in my hova that holds 42 standard eggs.

 

[sparkles2307]

ugh maybe I will just build one! I thought I could get a decent one for like $75....

ETA: We have lots of old broken coolers, the lids get ripped off and then we use them for gardening, tools, etc so I could get one that still has the lid floating around.....

 

[SportTees]

Build one its cheaper and usually works better

 

[MagsC]

If you advertised on craigslist for old coolers, you would probably get quite a response! I have seen them in the freebie sections on there.
I have a smaller styrofoam cooler I am going to turn into an incubator as well, but need to look up the plans again.
I think making one would be your best bet.

 

[sarahclrksn]

if i am not mistaken you can get an LG on nasco under 90 dollars that includes everything...lool in nasco.com or maybe it is enasco.com but anyways they are in there i have an lg with forced air and turner..temp stays stable and humidity does to as long as i keep water in it...

 

[sparkles2307]

thanks

 

[Intheswamp]

A Hovabator 1602n still-air with wafer thermostat will run around $60 shipped.

Or...roll yer own.

Ed

 

[Akane]

My incubators all cost less than $50 (probably a few dollars less than $40) but they are the lowest end models of styrofoam bators without turners. A turner itself is about $40.