What is the best 'Bator?

[highcountrychickens]

Any recommendations for a hatching newbie about what bator to get? I'm not very experienced, so I would worry terribly about a homemade incubator, however cool they are.

Cost aside, what's the best, or the favorite of BYC'ers? (we'll factor in cost later)

 

[ChickBond 007]

I'm like you, I couldn't handle building a home made incubator. I'm just not that patient.
I use a hovabator 1588 force air with the egg turner. I like it very much. If you search this topic, you will see a variety of opinions.

 

[NancyP]

Pull up a chair and do a search on incubators, enough reading for hours. Seriously though everyone has differing ideas on what is the best. You need to ask yourself some questions. How much do you want to spend? How many eggs do you want to be able to hatch at a time and multiply that. (this is addictive

) What kind of eggs do you want to hatch. Not all incubators can handle large eggs as an example.
Do yo like to tinker or set it and forget it.
Good luck and enjoy shopping.

 

[lotzahenz]

I really like my Genesis 1588. It is all automatic. I have never owned a big, fancy bator though. That is my dream. It only holds 42 chicken eggs on the turner I have, not nearly enough, but then it's way too many. Hatching is addictive, like gambling...................just one more time.

 

[B. Saffles Farms]

I wouldnt trade my sportsman for anything thing. Never had any trouble with it what so ever in 9 years. But they are a little pricey and youd have to want to hatch alot of eggs to justify buying a new one. If you are just wanting to hatch small amount of eggs then Id get something smaller.

 

[calgal98]

I'm not 'planning' on hatching a whole lot of eggs (please don't hold me to this!! LOL), but thought that if I did get addicted I didn't want to have to keep working my way up! I bought a Dickey which just arrived today. I'll be starting eggs in 3-4 days, then I'll let you know how it works. I didn't want to have to *fuss* with all the variables. I just wanted to plug it in and set/forget it! From what I've read its much like the sportsman. Been buying eggs today....yikes, what have I gotten myself into??? Good thing I stay at home on the farm!

 

[walkswithdog]

I make my own until I can afford a Dickey...

 

[One Acre Wonder Farm]

Great thread:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=157493

I love my Brinsea Eco 20. Not too big (DH doesn't share my chicken affliction) but easy, easy, easy to operate and sturdy (I'm afraid a styro-bator wouldn't last very long in our house) and within my budget!

 

[Majestic Lane Poultry]

Genesis 1588. Look at the pics on my page. Almost all the babies are here using the 1588!

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

Octagon 40 by Brinsea or the Genesis 1588 Hova-Bator. Love them both.