I've been checking out info on incubators. LOVE this site too!! But I've heard many different ways to incubate from homemade incubators: with a light bulb heating source, flexwatt heat tape heat source, to some of the name brand incubators. What "reliable" incubator do you all use? Meaning what do you use that's been steady & reliable from the start of your 1st hatch to the several hatches you've incubated later? I'd love to make a homemade one, but have been a little apprehensive because this will be my first try at incubating eggs. I've heard of many people hatching a first hatch to 'try' out their incubator, before trying to hatch more expensive important eggs, but I know I'd end up keeping the mutt test batch too, lol. & I don't want a villiage of coups, lol Not looking for a huge commercial incubator, just a reliable one. Any info on a economical trustworthy incubator would GREATLY help.
Hova Bator circulated air model #1583...works like a charm, wafer type, easier to fix if there becomes a problem down the road, never have had to adjust temps after day one..........got mine from GQF Mfg. out of GA I have an old Transparent Hen incubator made by Lyons back in the 60s and works great to this day...
You will get as many people saying this one or that one is the most reliable as therre are incubators. I use a home made one only when I have to, I perfer using silkie hens. The ones I place in schools are Little Giant with a turner. I have had a good hatch rate with them and they are easy to use.
I use Brinsea Octagon 40. Works great. Has a wet bulb and digital temp reader. The temperature doesnt fluctuate.
I have an R-com 20 digital. Fully automated and no-hassle. Here's the website for Brinsea if anybody's interested. Click on the "web special offers" for the sale prices to save a little $. But they're not cheap... http://www.brinsea.com/default.html
The 1588 is probably the best styro bator you can get. It has a digital thermostat so it does not fluctuate like the wafer models do. Even changes in barometric pressure can make them spike or drop. If you get it with the turner it is even more care free. The temp typically varies by one-half of a degree in mine and once it is set that is it. I have not had to adjust it in over a year (right after I got it). Richard
I've had great results with my homemade cooler bators. Even having all shipped eggs my lowest hatch was still over 50% - I'm running at 100% right now with my own peahen eggs... While getting it steady was a pain at first (I ran it a week before putting eggs in) I think it holds temps and handles fluctuaions in the temp in the room as good as any boughten incubator and better than the wafer/stryrofoam ones from what others here have said. I did splurge and get an auto turner and cut it down to fit the cooler (well worth it...) without the turner I have $10 for the thermostat, $7 for the light kit and nothing for the old PC fans and salvaged game DC adapters to make them forced air. Oh, and one cooler I actually did buy at goodwill for $5 - the other was gathering dust out in the garage. And...there's the pride in having something you made with your own hands actually work LOL! I've made two of them, basically the same. Here's the threads on them: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=21547 https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=19675 If i were to BUY a bator (on the lower price range) I'd get the Genesis Hova 1588 with auto turner - that will run you less than $150 total and the review from folks here have been really great on it overall.