what is the best kind of incubator?

[HolyHenHouse]

I want to start breeding my chickens, and need to buy an incubator. What is the best kind... I want one that holds 24 or more eggs.

 

[Ridgerunner]

"Best" is so subjective. I have no idea what criteria you are using to come up with best. A whole lot of "best" depends on your ability to use them properly.

There are a lot of incubators popping up all the time. It is hard to tell how good any of them are. My criteria is how well they maintain temperature and humidity once you figure out how to set those up.

I'm old-school. I suggest going to Brinsea and get one of those. They are a little pricey compared to a lot of the new ones coming out but they were known for reliability and are fairly easy to use.

 

[HolyHenHouse]

Thank ya! do you usually get pretty good hatch rates using this?

 

[Ridgerunner]

You can get pretty good hatch rates with practically any incubator if you know how to use it and the eggs are good quality. I suggested Brinsea because they are fairly easy to use and Brinsea incubators are usually reliable.

I don't use Brinsea, I use a Hovabator. After I got the Hovabator adjusted I get good hatch rates but it is harder to get set up and harder to use than a Brinsea.

 

[HolyHenHouse]

You can get pretty good hatch rates with practically any incubator if you know how to use it and the eggs are good quality. I suggested Brinsea because they are fairly easy to use and Brinsea incubators are usually reliable.

I don't use Brinsea, I use a Hovabator. After I got the Hovabator adjusted I get good hatch rates but it is harder to get set up and harder to use than a Brinsea.

I have only incubated once and it was a borrowed incubator. I kinda messed up a lot the first few days and only got a few chicks.

 

[2ndTink]

I also recommend Brinsea, they are more expensive but they are consistent and easy to use if you get the EX model. These have a humidity pump and help take the stress and guess over trying to keep your humidity where you need it.

We did a test with Brinsea for their latest Ovation Connect incubator, here is a link to the thread: https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...controlled-incubator-testers-journey.1632452/