thinking about buying an incubator, advice please

[hearthnsoul]

I am thinking about jumping in and hatching some eggs. I was wondering about the whole incubator thing. My feed and grain sells one for 55 dollars,..no fan or egg turner. Do you need to have them? What value do they have. If I am going to do it, should I order one offline that has both fan and egg turner? I keep coming across the hovabator, is that a good one? What should I be spending on it?
Thanks

 

[crazy4wdracer]

I paid $45 Online for my Hovabator with no turner or fan. Tractor Supply sell the Little Giant with no fan or turner for $41.95. I have heard that the Hova-Bator is a little better though. They are about the same size and hold the same amount of eggs (50 chicken, 120 quail). If you are going to be hatching all the time the turner would be a good investment. If you don't have a turner you have to turn the eggs 3 times per day.

 

[hearthnsoul]

Quote:
How about the fan, a necessity? what value does it have over not having it?
Thanks again

 

[PurpleChicken]

The fan is very important to stabilize and equalize temps throughout the bator.

Do yourself a favor and invest in this:
http://brinsea.com/products/octagon20eco.htm

 

[Intheswamp]

Quote:
How about the fan, a necessity? what value does it have over not having it?
Thanks again

The fan will help to decrease the incidence of "hot spots" in the incubator thus maintaining a more constant temperature throughout the incubator. With a fan your incubation temperature a temperature of 99.5F is recommended. Without a fan the temperature is usually recommended as 102F.

Unless you can be sure and turn the eggs several times a day a turner is a nice item. But, having said that, there are plenty of people who have good hatches without turners.

Best wishes,
Ed

 

[hearthnsoul]

Quote:
That's one serious Bator!!!! I'd have to save some serios pennies for that one

 

[Davaroo]

I gotta agree with PC. Dont waste your time and money on the foamies. Get a Lyon or Brinsea and get quality.
If you cannot afford it right now, then wait and save up 'til you can.

Ive used alot of different incubators, foamies included. I'm convinced that the step up to these is well worth the extra cost.

 

[PurpleChicken]

The Brinsea is only $99. An LG or Hova with a fan is at least $75.

Grab the Brinsea before it goes back up to $129.

 

[Omran]

Don't do it, you end up with 1000000000000000 chicks

 

[One Acre Wonder Farm]

I have the brinsea eco 20 and it rocks

but there is a lot of great info here:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=157493