Trying to find a new incubator...

[ColtHandorf]

I've been trying to decide on a couple of incubators to purchase in order to start hatching eggs once I get the Silver-laced Orps home and I've been out of the game for so long I'm not even sure where to start. I hated using the Little Giant styrofoam incubators. They were miserable and I had terrible hatch rates. I loved my GQF Sportsman incubators but those are expensive...lol All the used ones I can find for sale in the area look terrible and like they've been handled badly.

I like the looks of this one:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FKDSRN8/?tag=backy-20

And this one:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078Y61YT1/?tag=backy-20

And this one (which I have seen with higher reviews):

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07C24JFB5/?tag=backy-20

I know Brinsea is a fantastic brand but I'd like to be able to hatch more eggs than that at once. I mean with only one hen laying currently that doesn't really matter, but it would be nice to have the option available later on down the road. Any suggestions on good incubators you've had success with? A suggestion on which one of those three you'd be comfortable trying out? Thanks.

 

[FluffTheDuck]

The IncuView is amazing! Check out my review on it for more information good luck and post pictures when you're going to hatch eggs!

 

[Rammy]

I have an Incuview, also. Love it. I alhave a GQF Genesis 1588 thats great. It currently has duck eggs in it.
I just won an incubator on a Facebook raffle club that is exactly the same as the first incubator you posted a link to. Im anxious to see how it performs with hatching.
I have an LG too, and hate it. Temps wont stay put. Im getting rid of it. If I were voting, Id vote for the Incuview.

 

[ColtHandorf]

"I just won an incubator on a Facebook raffle club that is exactly the same as the first incubator you posted a link to. I'm anxious to see how it performs with hatching."

That's cool, let me know how it performs for you. The reviews online seem to be mostly positive. The poor reviews seem to come from people reviewing it arriving broken after being shipped or griping about the directions not being well-translated into English.

I guess in the mean time I'll look into the Incuview. I had seen that one and thought it looked nice. It's been so long since I've had to incubate eggs. I ought to just get an army of Silkies to do it for me...lol

 

[Mosey2003]

I always go GQF. I have both a 1602n and a 1588 Genesis. The Genesis is nice in that you can see more inside, but I prefer non-digital so the 1602n is my preference. You can get one with a fan and turner from http://www.incubatorwarehouse.com for around $100. What I do is use non-digital thermometers, calibrated, and set up a wet and dry bulb, pushed straight through the styrofoam.

 

[Acre4Me]

Would you consider building one?

 

[Acre4Me]

We built a small one, pretty cheap, for quail eggs. Worked pretty well, but not perfect. However, Lots of plans online, many with inexpensive parts to monitor heat, circulate air, etc.

Here's one on BYC that I found interesting:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...w-we-did-it-and-test-run-ready-set-go.861788/
But haven't made that one, myself, but I saved the link bc it interested me.

Good Luck with your new incubator, whatever you choose.

 

[ColtHandorf]

"Would you consider building one?"

I'm not confident enough in my building skills (or electrical) to make my own I don't think. And I'd just be a wreck using it. lol The Little Giant incubators frustrated me beyond belief. I had several at one time and the temperature was always a little bit off, or the humidity wasn't right. I didn't find incubation a fun thing at all. I was usually lucky to get 12-15 chicks out of eggs that were collected over the few days before I set them. And that was with two incubators set with eggs.

"I always go GQF."

To date that has been my favorite brand of incubator to work with. The Sportsman were fantastic. But I cannot justify buying a $600 plus dollar incubator for one pair of birds...lol

 

[Mosey2003]

"I always go GQF."

To date that has been my favorite brand of incubator to work with. The Sportsman were fantastic. But I cannot justify buying a $600 plus dollar incubator for one pair of birds...lol

Right, that's why I get the styrofoam HovaBators (those are GQF too). If you watch long enough you can often pick up lightly used 1602's on FB Marketplace because people don't understand how to break in and calibrate a wafer incubator vs. a digital.

The Little Giants are known for temperature spikes, I suspect their electronics just can't handle humidity well at all.

 

[Shamo Hybrid]

This one looks interesting, has a plug where you can hook up to a battery also should the power go out??

HERE : https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07G991X54/?tag=backy-20