what kind of bator is best

[1Chick Magnet]

looking to buy my first bator. only want to hatch 25 or less at a time. what kind of bator do you think is the best and why. also where can i get it.

 

[samapp]

I don't have this incubator yet, but this is the one I will be ordering soon; the Hova Bator Genesis.https://www.gqfmfg.com/store/comersus_viewItem.asp?idProduct=77 The reason I am getting the Hova Bator genesis is because of all the recommendations about it I have seen on this board. It comes pre-set at the temperature you need to hatch eggs. If you want the turner, it comes separately. https://www.gqfmfg.com/store/comersus_viewItem.asp?idProduct=80

 

[PurpleChicken]

If you just want a small bator nothing can touch the Brinsea Octagon 20
or 40 in the under $500 range. Some may say the RCom 20 is the better
unit.

Many here like the Hovabator Genesis. I am borrowing one from Perfectly
Polish right now and prefer my Little Giant over it. My house temp drops
to 60 at night and the Hovabator falls to 97. The LG stays rock solid at 100.

If you buy a Hova or Little Giant make sure you get one with a fan and
add the turner.


If you only spend $40 and get a Hova or LG still air remember, you get
what you pay for.

 

[DTchickens]

im saving for a sportsman, holds lots of eggs.. auto turners. stuff like that... bout 600-700 dollars.

 

[1Chick Magnet]

Quote:
the little giant is the only one i have found locally. are they any good?

 

[PurpleChicken]

Quote:
the little giant is the only one i have found locally. are they any good?

They are good if you add the fan and turner. Then you need to learn the
bator. It is in no way a "set it and forget it" bator.

I get great hatches from mine.

If you think you are going to spend $40 on a still air bator, regardless
of the brand, I highly reccomend saving up for a forced air model with
turner.

 

[1Chick Magnet]

money is not an issue. looking for parts availability if something breaks, would like a window so i can watch, and want good quality so i will be successful. like one that turns eggs. don't want anything over large as this is a hobby. don't want to always run a half empty bator. 25 at a time would be the most i would want to do. wish there was a consumer report for bators. is there?

 

[william9792]

I have a LG/with turner and fan, have had good hatches with it. It will hold 40 eggs ( but i like to put no more than 36 eggs in it at a time. will be having some hatch around the 8th of jan if all goes well

 

[jvls1942]

I find little difference between my hovabator and little giant..

what really makes the difference is the thermostat.. A sloppy wafer will allow wide temperature swings. I replaced my wafers in a couple of my hovabators with solid state thermostats from little giant.

Miller mfg in eagan, minn.

I also used a solid state in one of the bators that I built.

they are very touchy to set, but once set hold very well..

If you can find a dual wafer, they hold a more constant temp also..

I also recommend a turner and a fan.. to me, hand turning becomes real old real fast.. ie. the charm of it wears off.. I have other things to do than be on call every couple of hours to turn eggs..

 

[jrtpro]

I ordered Lyons TX-7 and it works great. Every time you look at it, the temp and humidity is where you left it. It holds 18 large eggs 24 smaller eggs. Very easy to hand turn if you do not get the turner. You don't have to open the incubator for anything.