what kind of incubator do you use

[BobDFL]

I've got 2 incubators, 1 turbo-fan Hovabator and 1 still-air Little Giant.

I use the Hova as an incubator since it has a fan and have 2 turners for it, 1 for Chicks and Ducks and a Goose turner for the Turkey eggs. I use the Little Giant as a hatcher.

I may get another Hova since I may want to hatch Chicks and Turkeys at the same time this year.

Bob D. in FL.

 

[jimnjay]

People who have Sportsmen incubators are very happy with them. They hatch up to 200 eggs I think. Lots anyway. You can stagger your hatches in them and they are very accurate. $ 250 is an excellent price.

I would be in so much trouble with one of those. I have more chickens than I know what to do with half the time.

 

[cindydj]

Jayne that is what I am afraid of too. I have lots of room here but I am afraid after this chicken thing that may not be so for long.

 

[ChrisnTiff]

We have a broody Marans hen and a back-up buff orp. Best incubators around.

Chris

 

[raysflock]

Hi,I have a syrofoam hova-bator turbo fan incubator. and it works. The only problem I had was when I first used it I had a cheap thermometer ,that was 3 degrees off. So buy a good themometer. I agree with lisa, The man at the feed store was wrong
Ray

 

[Carole AM]

This is such good information! I have a chance to get a used LG, and I will! My DH just rolls his eyes...

I figure I can use it as a hatcher.

 

[happyhens]

Little Giants are great! I have one plus an automatic turner, however they are right get a couple of good thermometers and be sure they work, the one that comes with it ain't so great IMO. Mine definately wasn't. I am a terrible hatcher, but I have gotten a few chicks out of that thing. It has been so much fun folling around with the LG! Sure, a broody works better hatch-rate wise, but it is harder to candle the eggs (especially if she is really mean!) and impossible to watch the little buggers hatch. I haven't used it since last spring, so I am going to plug 'er up and see how she does. She might need a new thermostat, not sure. I had a little temperature fluctuation problem last time I hatched with it, but it may have also been in a drafty area, so I am going to try running it in a different room and see if that helps.

 

[Carole AM]

Do you have better results if you hand-turn, or use a turner? Both of mine are still-air. The Hova has a turner, the Little Giant does not.

 

[eggchel]

I always had better results with the auto turner because then the temperature didnt drop by having it open to turn the eggs and the humidity wasnt let out of the incubator. But I live in a dry climate and even keeping the humidity up to 35% can be difficult sometimes.

chel

 

[happyhens]

I also have had better results with the automatic turner. Although hand turning gives you an excuse to touch the eggs and open the bator

The only eggs I have hatched hand turning were the duck eggs, as they were to big to fit in the auto turner. Every time I opened to bator the temperature would go down, and I would have to keep a close eye on the temperature for the following hour or so, and mess around with the temp. controller, etc. It was a pain in the neck, but it works alright. I would recommend an auto turner if possible, you will probably be glad you got it a few months down the road.