what incubator/thermometer /humidity thing you use ?

[AmyLM]

We are having serious issues with our oldbators. They arnt accurate anymore and this year our hatch rates have been terrible. We are debating about buying a large one or doing diy. But.... what works?? What doesn't?? We want to avoid making costly mistakes.

 

[AmyLynn2374]

We are having serious issues with our oldbators. They arnt accurate anymore and this year our hatch rates have been terrible. We are debating about buying a large one or doing diy. But.... what works?? What doesn't?? We want to avoid making costly mistakes.

Whatever you do, don't buy the LGs from TSC. There's lots of DIY plans and examples here on BYC. Search at the top under both DIY incubators and home made incubators. Lots of cool ideas!! As for new bators. Brinsea is the way to go if you have that kind of money. Hovabators are a good midline styro bator.

Hygrometers- I've heard the ones used for reptile inclosures are cheap and reliable. I use the digital on my accurite. But I only use a hygrometer as a guidline because I monitor my air cells, so I'm not particular as to how accurate it really is.

Thermometers- Brinsea spot checks are highly touted. I have two digitals from our local Kinney's I use in mine along with the accurite combo...lol. So far they have worked awesome.

 

[AmyLM]

Lol. Umm i wish youd told me that two years ago... ive got two of them. They worked great the first year then totally flopped this year. Hatch one i lost a couple. Hatches after that were worse each time. Ive done about 5 hatches in each...Nothing made it to hatching this last time. Not one egg.

 

[MeepBeep]

For thermometers and humidity meters, these are ones I have used and/or still use, note that I always have a least two meters in the incubator to cross reference... They are all pretty decent for the price...

Do note that low cost humidity meters are generally not that accurate, but they can give you a very good reference even if not fully accurate...

http://www.walmart.com/ip/AcuRite-Digital-Humidity-and-Temperature-Monitor/16888914 I use these all over the place, inside the coop, inside the brooders, inside the incubator

http://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-Economy-Thermometer-Humidity/dp/B004PBB1JE This is in my incubator right now as a second reference, i like the low profile as I can set it on top the eggs...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Digital-The...el-Mount-HG-/291525404992?hash=item43e044a940 Note that is just one of many Ebay sellers selling it, not a seller recommendation just showing the item... I use this one in my 'fake egg' to monitor a simulated egg internal temp... My fake egg right now is a 3oz baby bottle, nipple upside down, with about 2oz of water probe is inserted through the nipple into the water... And of course it requires a power adapter as well...

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Aquaculture-Glass-Aquarium-Thermometer/45081765 I have several of these, very, very decent for the few dollars they are in the store...

At the end of the day it's a much better practice to monitor air sack development and/or weight loss of the eggs then worry about what a humidity meter says...

 

[AmyLynn2374]

Lol. Umm i wish youd told me that two years ago... ive got two of them. They worked great the first year then totally flopped this year. Hatch one i lost a couple. Hatches after that were worse each time. Ive done about 5 hatches in each...Nothing made it to hatching this last time. Not one egg.

Ouch...lol I use an older LG (9200) which I have good success in, but the newer 9300s are more trouble than anything...lol I haven't heard much about the two neest LGs but I know the 9300s have horrible horrible reviews.