Thinking about hatching eggs... Any suggestions on a bator 4 a newbie?

[snowhorse]

I have been raising chicks since only this past year, but I am head over heels into this and want to start hatching my own.

Any suggestions on a kind of bator to buy for a newbie?

I would preferably like something on the cheaper side incase its something I decide I dont like to do, and if I get into it then invest in something bigger or nicer.

Any suggestions on where to buy or look for them?

 

[BirdBrain]

The Hovabator Genesis is a good selection, but with a fan and turner can get over $100. You could easily make an incubator with fan and turner for much less. Stop by the incubator pages and get some ideas. We'll all help if you have questions.

 

[snowhorse]

I did some looking on eggbid.com. But I would love to make my own to cut down on cost. But I dont think I am that talented and dont really know what the temp and humidity need to be.....

Do you suggest having a fan and a turner?

 

[BirdBrain]

You absolutely can make one yourself. Click on the link to my BYC page and you can see the one my son and I made. Buy a wafer thermostat (I got mine from Double R but they sell them in many places like Cutler supply) and a reliable thermometer. I like the Brinsea spot check. You probably have an old computer laying around that you can harvest a fan out of. If all fails you can get one at a computer store for under $10. I got a 12 volt adapter at a thrift store for 75 cents. You need some wire, an extension cord, light fixture and a styrofoam box or cooler. I have since dispensed with my turner as I like to turn by hand as well as rotate positions of the eggs incase I had cold spots. You CAN do this!!

Humidity for the first 18 days is 30-40% then up to 60 during the last 3 days until hatch is complete. Temps in a bator with a fan should be 99.5.

 

[snowhorse]

Wow if hatching wasnt enough, building my own bater would be pretty thrilling and satisfying...

Thank you for you help! I am going to start researching right away

 

[steelersfan43]

I was in this same situation. I wanted an incubator but didnt want to spend alot of money. I ended up getting the genesis with fan and turner. I am so glad I did. This is our first hatch and starting day 5 now and I already can see a few swimmers. I'm so excited and don't have to worry because I know I have a good one. My reasoning behind this was that I knew that I would get good results for one and for another, if it was something I decided I didnt want to do anymore, I could sell it and get some of my money back. Good luck with whatever you decide! You'll have fun

 

[kyeschicks]

In case you get a Little Giants Still-Air Incubator, This steps will help you a bunch! https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=18371-how-to-hatch-chicks
BUT only if you're using a Little Giants Still-Air Incubator

 

[BirdBrain]

You are right. It is satisfying. I keep coveting a Dickey cabinet incubator but then I think about how little it cost me and how well it works and then I am recalibrated for a while. Document your bator build real well and build a BYC page to enter in the next bator contest. Everyone has something to add, so I look forward to seeing what you come up with.

 

[snowhorse]

Quote:
I have been working on it, and I am doing it mostly working off your plans

Question- I would love to maybe try hatching ducks, or geese...any ideas on a different tray for those types of eggs?

 

[BirdBrain]

This last hatch I actually took out my turner and hand turned. I put some of that plastic cross stitch mesh over the wire rack in the bottom and laid them on there. Each time I turned I kinda rotated the eggs around in the bator in case there were cool spots. I figured it would even things up. When hatch came they were all hatched within 24 hours. Having a turner is certainly easier but for some reason I really enjoying hand turning them.