What is a good incubator

[judial8907]

Hi again everyone,
This time a completly different question. I think I am going to be in the market soon for a new incubator. I think mine (homemade) is too tempermental and to many varibles, resulting in shrink-wrapped and dead chicks

. Anyway I was wondering what kind of incubator you would recommend? I would like one that does small batches like a dozen max, has a decent hatch rate, regulates its own temp and humidity and also turns the eggs. I know I may be asking for alot, but is there such a thing out there? Also can you provide me with the sites (if any) where I can see and read about the incubator? I know that the hatch rate depends alot on me and the eggs but if I could get an incubator that will work with me that's a start.
Thanks

 

[Stacykins]

If you want small batches, then I recommend going with a Brinsea Octagon 20. It comes in two models, the advance and the eco. I have an eco and I LOVE it. I think it is pretty foolproof. I've had quite a few great hatches with it! And it is very easy to clean, too. Since you want temperature and humidity regulation, I think you'd want the advance model, with the humidity pump. That will give you more exact temperature and humidity.

 

[saddina]

Go straight for the brinsea.

http://www.brinsea.com/products/octagon20eco.htm

They have a mini that does 9 eggs at a time, but for $30 more you can get the 20 egg model, and that's enough room for most small flocks. The eco does great, but there's upgrades you can order to add in.

 

[yinepu]

Quote:
X2.. I love my Brinsea... and i had been using homemade incubators all my life until I bought it... the Brinsea has me sooo spoiled!

 

[judial8907]

Ok I checked out the site and the pics. Maybe this sounds silly but have you had any issues with hatching chicks or (newly hatched chicks I should say) getting their little feet or toes getting stuck in those grates? This looks like a great incubator and I have heard people recommend it before, guess I will be getting one of these soon : ) I hate loosing chicks
Quote:

 

[judial8907]

Also if I was to buy this incubator it says that there is an optional automatic egg turner. If I choose not to buy the egg turner is there something on the outside of the bator where I can manualy turn the eggs or do I actually have to open it? I know it sounds silly but I want to know all I need to before I do this again

 

[yinepu]

the holes in the grate are really small.. none of my chicks got toes caught..

i have the auto turner for mine... but if you notice the shape of the incubator.. it has a flat bottom then the back and front towards the bottom are angled (hence the octagon shape).. what you do if you are not using a turner is to turn the entire incubator to one of those flat sides adjacent to the bottom.. then turn it back the next time you need to turn eggs

 

[judial8907]

I also noticed that it does not regulate the humidity at least that is what the description suggested. So I know I will have to place a gauge in there to do that, how is the humidity in the ones that you guys have? Is it difficult to regulate the humidity? I know I should buy a book like "Incubating for dummies"

but I figured this was a good place to get first hand knowledge before I incubate again

 

[ChickieBooBoo]

I have the Octagon Advance EX, AWESOME incubator. The ones that don't regulate humidity have special trays that you fill up for the incubation, and then the hatch.

 

[Brown Chicka Brown Cow]

The Octagon Advance EX has auto temp. and humidity control and the auto turner....I'm loving mine so far