What incubator to get?

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.
 
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!)
 
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.
 
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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!
 
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!
 

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