What incubator to get?

[Kidhenduckohmy]

I have been looking at the Brinsea, but the price.....!? Just wondering what incubator you have, and if you would recommend it.

 

[chicapee]

I did alot of research before I bought mine. I wanted to have the odds on my favor for hatching chicks. My husband bought me a Brinsea Octagon 20 advance. It is great I have hatch 39 chicks and poults in it since may. I would highly recommend it. Buy the best you can afford.

 

[FridayYet]

Part of it depends on what kind of time you have and how much you want to "mess" with your incubator.

I have the Brinsea Octagon Advance 20 with the Humidity pump. Love it.

Do you have time to hand turn three times a day, every day for 18 days? I don't, so I needed a turner.

Do you live in a dry climate where maintaining humidity can be a challenge? I do, so I love the humidity pump so I don't have to worry if I'm gone for the weekend.

Do you mind fussing, monitoring and adjusting temperature? I wanted to be more hands-off and have a machine I could trust and not bake my eggs.

Many people have excellent hatches in a styrofoam bator or a Chinese knock-off, but there is a learning curve I didn't want to go through!

Brinsea makes great incubators that hold temperature and humidity well and recover quickly when opened. Flip side is that they are expensive.

(Obviously Chicapee and I were posting at the same time and have the same incubator - how funny!)

 

[Kidhenduckohmy]

That is the same incubator we are considering. It's just costly and I am wondering if there is one comparable for a better price.

I am starting to think taking a chance may not be worth it. I certainly do not have spare time to keep fiddling with a fussy incubator.

 

[chicapee]

That is the same incubator we are considering. It's just costly and I am wondering if there is one comparable for a better price.

I am starting to think taking a chance may not be worth it. I certainly do not have spare time to keep fiddling with a fussy incubator.

It is well worth it, I didn't want to go the cheap route and then be disappointed. If you find that incubating isn't for you, the Brinsea really hold its value. They also have a 3 year warranty. I found a coupon and got 10% off from the website. Check your local craigslist and ebay you may find a second hand one. It's like Christmas morning every hatch!

 

[jstlitlome]

I'm new so can't compare, but I bought the Brinsea octagon eco 20 without the turner. The turner seemed like a lot of extra money and since I have time to turn them and like to fiddle, the turner seemed excessive. So far it has been extremely steady temperature wise. I've had to fiddle a bit with the humidity, but I dont live in a dry climate. I can't wait to watch the chicks hatch! And I love the windows that gives a great view!