what is a trustworthy cheap incubator?

[Varisha]

I'm thinking of joining the incubator owner/operators club. However I do not have hundreds to spend so I need one that is cheap. But I worry that cheap could mean that it's unreliable. So I turn to those that have been there before me, what incubators should I look at.

Also I would be able to make due with one that just does a handfull of eggs. The plus side to that is less dust in the house... down side is it will take longer to build my flock up.

 

[MissPrissy]

Build one. It's easy. I have instructions for a couple I built.

 

[skeeter9]

Like Prissy said, the cheapest thing to do would be to build one, but if you decide not to do that, the Hovabator by GQF if extremely reliable.

 

[Gonzo the Great]

When making your own bator and using bare styrofoam, what do you use to clean when an egg explodes? Should a secondary bator be prepared to assist in rebound? What cleansing products are safe to use on styrofoam? I was thinking (in probably too much detail) to have the foam replaced each time. I know it's not environmentally sound, but where I work, I have access to alot of surplus foam.

 

[Tuffoldhen]

LG still airs work for some...you can get one without a turner and or add a turner somewhere down the line...they run under $50.00....

Most just clean their bators with warm soapy water and a weak solution of clorox...rinse acouple times...

Not suppose to have exploding eggies!!...lol..suppose to get those out of there before hand!!!....

 

[leecey411]

I have a modest Hovabator 1602. It was about $40.00 a few years ago. Cheap enough not to feel like I was making an investment in a new hobby, It does fine by me. My first hatch was button quails and then I added an autoturner and fan and went onto chickens. If I would buy another modest incubator I would try the Genesis that is preset to the right temp.

 

[Varisha]

Thanks everyone I have decided to try and make one. I picked up the lamp kit and bulb and will slowly gather supplies until I have everything I need.

Would a rubbermaid container work... I bet not because it would need insulated... oh wait maybe if I line it with the styrofoam. The reason is I have cats that like to scratch up styrofoam and such

 

[opihiman911]

better secure your incubator in a closed room. In the past I have learned that cats+incubator+chicks=

then you will be un at the cat and might give it a

Feel free to subsitute dogs in the above equation.

Good luck with you adventure...its worth it.

Aloha,
Cory

 

[tiki244]

tuffoldhen and leecey where do you get those incubators for $50 and $40? The cheapest I could find was $76.

 

[sgray136]

Take Miss Prissy's advice and build one. Here is one I built based on her instructions. With an automatic egg turner I have a grand total of $65.00 dollars in mine and it has a fan and an egg turner!