What is the ultimate BEST hatcher?

[hannahsocal]

Turning traysView attachment 3194178View attachment 3194177

I wonder if there’s a system that could be built for just hatching/setting, or if it’s more convenient to just have a 2 in one machine and buy multiples.

 

[Chookwagn]

I wonder if there’s a system that could be built for just hatching/setting, or if it’s more convenient to just have a 2 in one machine and buy multiples.

99% of incubators are designed for the whole process.... as this is what 99% of the population want... most people don't want to have to buy 2 separate machines

 

[raingarden]

It would be nice to have a partition or compartment in the hatching chamber so newly hacthed chicks can be moved somewhere that they can't disturb unhatched eggs as they dry off and get strong enough to move to a brooder.

 

[BrandonsBirbs]

I would have to politely disagree that hatching in the same incubator gives the best hatch rates, maybe for you but I don't see what difference using another incubator would make so long as it's setup correctly.

Personally I use a Borotto Lumia 16 for my eggs, then on lockdown I move them into my cheap Chinese incubator. This way I can have multiple hatches going on in the incubator and just move them when needed into lockdown. My Janoel12 has a deep bottom so it's easy to maintain a good volume of water without having to fill it up during the entire lockdown process.

Last hatches I did was 4 batches, 1 into lockdown every 2 or 3 days. Only two eggs didn't hatch due to quitting before locking down. I believe 27/29 eggs hatched.

 

[BrandonsBirbs]

It would be nice to have a partition or compartment in the hatching chamber so newly hacthed chicks can be moved somewhere that they can't disturb unhatched eggs as they dry off and get strong enough to move to a brooder.

Personally I've had no issues with placing wet chicks under their heating plate and allowing them to dry in the brooder. it's not something I do all the time, just if I have a chick that's still wet when I'm taking the rest out.

 

[SmiYa0126]

View attachment 3194166
These are the best incubators/ hatchers I have ever come across.

What are the brands in this pic?

 

[Ridgerunner]

What features would I want in something used only as a hatcher?

1. Good visibility so I can see what is going on inside.

2. An easy way to add more water without opening it if it needs it. I use accordion straws and a syringe through a vent on mine. Not that hard.

3. Easy to clean after hatch, they can get really messy.

That's about it. I have enough self-discipline to not remove a chick during lockdown unless I have a real problem to deal with.

 

[Chookwagn]

What are the brands in this pic?

These are Black chick incubators made by Siam Incubator in Thailand


I have seen them rebranded and sold under another name in Europe

 

[NatJ]

I wonder if there’s a system that could be built for just hatching/setting, or if it’s more convenient to just have a 2 in one machine and buy multiples.

Have you looked at cabinet incubators?

I've seen some that have 3 turning trays and one stationary tray for hatching.
I've also seen some that are just for hatching (all trays are stationary) or just for incubating (all trays turn.)

Of course, any of them could be used differently-- you could hand-turn eggs in the stationary trays, and I think the turning trays can be locked in position. But they are designed to work best one way or the other.

Examples:
https://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/large_capacity_incubators.html
https://www.strombergschickens.com/category/chicken-incubators-accessories

 

[hannahsocal]

It would be nice to have a partition or compartment in the hatching chamber so newly hacthed chicks can be moved somewhere that they can't disturb unhatched eggs as they dry off and get strong enough to move to a brooder.

Maybe like an electronic “grabber” that lets you pick up pipped/zipped eggs and move them to a separate compartment in the same Hatcher container. Like a way more stable claw hand haha.