THE Brinsea Octagon 20 Eco Thread; Hatches, etc. (PICS)

[ChcknNurse]

Thank you SCflock. I looked at it, but it seems an expensive option for a thermometer. I found a much cheaper option right in my kitchen...someone on a thread somewhere mentioned a meat thermometer. It fits perfectly and seems to agree with the Brinsea thermometer on temp. I'll have to find a small/narrow hygrometer to fit in the Brinsea tomorrow because mine is too big, but I set  eggs tonight. I have 28 Barnevelders and BBS Ameracaunas in the Eco 20 (yeah..it's only supposed to fit 20 lol), and 28 barnyard mix (mostly OE's) in the hovabator.  I figure I'll lose some at candling, so I'm packing them in.    I'll be attempting a regular humidity (40ish) in the Brinsea and a dry-ish  (30-35) in the Hovabator.

Without the rails I have now fit 33. Since I cracked one last time (various size eggs while trying to use firm but not excessive pressure -- epic fail, as my kids would say)... this method seemed best as they hold each other in place-- with some strategically placed cardboard.

 

[ChcknNurse]

I can't believe there hasn't been a recall on those things. I have never read so many horrible reviews. Mine went straight into the garbage after the first run, too

Funny thing is my new manager friend at TSC said he's never heard a complaint. I think people blame themselves, and have no other experience to compare.

Btw, Scflock, thank you so much for your assistance with getting me through my first incubation with great success! Since everything has been staggered, I've done lockdown 3 times already and have 2 bators running. Btw, whoever recommended I get another brinsea to hatch, I'm so relieved that I did. How reliable to pop up that humidity in a min or 2!

 

[scflock]

Greetings to all @ BYC. This is my first post/question. I've been skimming through the pages of this tread. 110 pages, WOW.
I'm very impressed with what I've been reading about the Brinsea Octagon Eco.
I'm thinking about purchasing one.
Any recommendations on where to shop? Do these incubators ever go on sale? If yes, when?
Do I need to buy any additional items to go with it?
Thanks.
Craig.

You can catch them on sale on Amazon. The Brinsea website will also have them on sale, but by the time you pay shipping it costs more than Amazon with free shipping. I have never seen one in a retail store, at least around here. The two necessary items with the Eco are a reliable thermometer and hygrometer to measure temp and humidity. The Spot Check is a great thermometer, very accurate, but a little expensive and it does not include a hygrometer. There are combination thermometer/hygrometers available. An item you may want to look at for your own convenience is the auto-turn cradle. It's not a necessity, the Eco is easy to turn manually on the flat edges, but the auto-turn is great in case you just don't have the time, or remember, to turn 2-3 times/day

So this season is my first. However, I now have 2 octagons. I bought them a few weeks apart. One thing I noticed was temp difference right away. First one was preset to 99.5, second was at 97, based on thermometer. Then, I realized that the thermometer sat at different angles and distances from the center. I have since adjusted so that they are similar and the temp on the glass matches what I think is ideal in relation to spot check in certain locations. 103 is not acceptable imo. It's likely a true reading, so position seems off to me. The spot check is reliable for really figuring temps all around. I worry about the temp, then the humidity.

This is exactly why I bought, and recommend, the Spot Check. My first two hatches were drawn out slowly from days 22-23. I bought a Spot Check to double check my temps. The probe fits right through the vent hole, and since the connecting wire is maleable, with a little manipulation you can place the probe anywhere in the incubator. I took temps all around the incubator and measured 97.9-99.9. I took an average of all the temps and came up with 99.0. I bumped my temperature up 0.5 degree, and it has been like popcorn on day 21 ever since

 

[scflock]

I think people blame themselves, and have no other experience to compare.

I think you are exactly right. Those incubators are so readily available that a lot of people buy them and don't know that there are better options. It's a shame that they never learn how much fun hatching really can be. My Brinsea was worth every penny

 

[ChcknNurse]

I think you are exactly right. Those incubators are so readily available that a lot of people buy them and don't know that there are better options. It's a shame that they never learn how much fun hatching really can be. My Brinsea was worth every penny

Thank goodness my first experience was in the Brinsea. My friend did no research and got the mini, also. She filled one trough and had 4/6 hatch like clockwork, one was clear. She never measured an air cell, didn't know they existed and didn't know anything about temps or humidity. You try that in one of the others and you may as well start with infertile eggs.

I'm sorry to hit this soapbox. But, to explain a bit more: so my Octagon was full to the brim, I purchased the LG because after buying a dozen eggs, they were in poor shape (I am being kind here). One egg looked about day 12 developed and dead. I threw them all in the second brinsea. Low and behold, although I had left these eggs out for 24 hours after I got them (wasn't supposed to set them until the second day), that dead chick was moving and shaking. Nothing else developed at all, and the eggs were nearly 50% air cell when I got them and rolling, like jello. Anyway, so suddenly, I had ONE egg that needed to go into lockdown. As I knew that this LG was so erratic with temp and humidity, I put it in the brinsea for lockdown. She hatched beautifully. However, as you know, in the next day, there was an "event" where I found the reliable thermometers at 114 and 118 whereas the LG said 101. I reevaluated them again last night, since I moved them back to the brinsea and mostly I have clear blood rings the others, hopefully too early for defects? I sure hope... but I am not sure that's possible.

 

[scflock]

Thank goodness my first experience was in the Brinsea. My friend did no research and got the mini, also. She filled one trough and had 4/6 hatch like clockwork, one was clear. She never measured an air cell, didn't know they existed and didn't know anything about temps or humidity. You try that in one of the others and you may as well start with infertile eggs.

I'm sorry to hit this soapbox. But, to explain a bit more: so my Octagon was full to the brim, I purchased the LG because after buying a dozen eggs, they were in poor shape (I am being kind here). One egg looked about day 12 developed and dead. I threw them all in the second brinsea. Low and behold, although I had left these eggs out for 24 hours after I got them (wasn't supposed to set them until the second day), that dead chick was moving and shaking. Nothing else developed at all, and the eggs were nearly 50% air cell when I got them and rolling, like jello. Anyway, so suddenly, I had ONE egg that needed to go into lockdown. As I knew that this LG was so erratic with temp and humidity, I put it in the brinsea for lockdown. She hatched beautifully. However, as you know, in the next day, there was an "event" where I found the reliable thermometers at 114 and 118 whereas the LG said 101. I reevaluated them again last night, since I moved them back to the brinsea and mostly I have clear blood rings

the others, hopefully too early for defects? I sure hope... but I am not sure that's possible.

The LG is just a horrible incubator unless you have the time to monitor it. It seems that after a few runs some people are able to get it somewhat regulated (AmyLynn does great with hers), but I'd be willing to bet that 95% of people who buy them are newbies who see them at Tractor Supply and think all incubators will hatch eggs. I was the same way, and I bought one without any research. I hatched 5 of 17 eggs, and ended up culling 4 of the 5 because of severe defects. Some through rookie mistakes, some through wild temperature fluctuations. I swore I would never try again, but I started researching for a better incubator. I decided if I was going to hatch a lot, I was going to invest in a good incubator, and I'm so glad I did. It's so much fun to set eggs and know that 22 days later 85-95% of them will be healthy chicks. As a matter of fact, today is day 22

 

[chicapee]

I managed to get aan octagon 20 advance on sale from brinsea and I used the coupon whisper. This made it cheaper than amazon. Not sure if it still working.

 

[craigh]

Thanks scflock & annjee.
I will keep my eyes on Amazon.com for sale prices If anyone out there comes across a reduced rates please pass the info along. What can I expect to pay?
As you suggest I plan to get a Spot Check thermometer. Also your thoughts on owning 2 incubators.. seems like a smart decision. .
Any recommendations on a hygrometer (yes or no) brand names/model and where to shop?

 

[scflock]

Thanks scflock & annjee.
I will keep my eyes on Amazon.com for sale prices If anyone out there comes across a reduced rates please pass the info along. What can I expect to pay?
As you suggest I plan to get a Spot Check thermometer. Also your thoughts on owning 2 incubators.. seems like a smart decision. .
Any recommendations on a hygrometer (yes or no) brand names/model and where to shop?

Ecos are usually just under or just over $200 without the auto-turn cradle. I bought an Advance with the cradle for $360, and don't regret it one bit. The display is dead on, and combined with the Spot Check I feel like I have total control over the environment. To be totally honest, I don't use a second hygrometer. I have always gone by the one on the display (Advance shows humidity) and have had wonderful hatches.
I would love to have 2 incubators, and probably will by the end of the year, but not for staggered hatches. I would incubate and hatch in the same incubator, but I would like to have 2 so I could get 2 hatches/month. Demand for chicks in my area is high in the spring and summer, so the three weeks waiting for more chicks is killing me. I am saving money from selling chicks and eggs, so when there is enough left over, after buying feed and supplies, I will buy another. I'm just trying to decide if I want another 20, or a 40

 

[FridayYet]

Ecos are usually just under or just over $200 without the auto-turn cradle. I bought an Advance with the cradle for $360, and don't regret it one bit. The display is dead on, and combined with the Spot Check I feel like I have total control over the environment. To be totally honest, I don't use a second hygrometer. I have always gone by the one on the display (Advance shows humidity) and have had wonderful hatches.
I would love to have 2 incubators, and probably will by the end of the year, but not for staggered hatches. I would incubate and hatch in the same incubator, but I would like to have 2 so I could get 2 hatches/month. Demand for chicks in my area is high in the spring and summer, so the three weeks waiting for more chicks is killing me. I am saving money from selling chicks and eggs, so when there is enough left over, after buying feed and supplies, I will buy another. I'm just trying to decide if I want another 20, or a 40

40.