what would you recommend for a first timer?

[kuchchicks]

A friend of mine is a 1st grade teacher and going to incubate in class for the first time. I have an old little giant 9200 with fan that still has hot/cold spots and she was given a brand new 9300 still air. Since the 9300 does not have the best reviews which one do you think she should use? She has a very limited budget and needs to pick between these two. Help!!!

 

[kuchchicks]

Anyone?! I have next to no experience...anything would help!

 

[AmyLynn2374]

A friend of mine is a 1st grade teacher and going to incubate in class for the first time. I have an old little giant 9200 with fan that still has hot/cold spots and she was given a brand new 9300 still air. Since the 9300 does not have the best reviews which one do you think she should use? She has a very limited budget and needs to pick between these two. Help!!!

Neither one of those is the best for a classroom hatch. If the 9200 holds decent temps, I'd choose that because that's what I use, but they are notorious for temp flunctuations and a classroom has a less stable temp.The warm/hot spots can be delt with. I have a forced air and still have those. Last hatch hatched 33/36, so that's a pain, not a killer. I agree, the 9300 has such bad reviews, but it has the thermostat too. From my understanding, the biggest fight with those is the probe. silkie-feet has a thread with a lot of both users : https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...experiment-day-21-hatch-day/670#post_15116454 she could get a lot of tips and help no matter which one she uses if she would like to join and visit us on that thread.

I'd be willing to help with the knowledge I have with styrofoam bators. My biggest concern is the possibility of temp flunctuations after class hours. One of the members on that thread found a good way to secure the probe so that their temp stays regulated better. I do't know which one to recommend. If she goes with the 9300, I'd definetly have her check out the thread and talk to the couple members who have found a way to deal with that probe. Make sure she knows NOT to go by the bator's gages until she has checked them against an accurate thermometer because those gages are usually wrong. She needs a seperate thermometer (checked) and hygrometer that has been checked for accuracy. And whatever she does, tell her do NOT use the recommended percentage of humidity. Have her look at this: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...experiment-day-21-hatch-day/670#post_15116454
I wish her good luck in whatever one she chooses. She just need to become a member so we can help her out

.

 

[kuchchicks]

Thanks Amy! You are always helpful!

 

[AmyLynn2374]

Thanks Amy! You are always helpful!

You're welcome.

 

[kuchchicks]

What is a good bator for classroom?

 

[AmyLynn2374]

What is a good bator for classroom?

An expensive one.

Honestly, the best are the Brinseas because they are pretty much set em and forget them bators but they are EXPENSIVE!! I think I would go for the Hova Bator though. They are still a cheaper styrofoam bator, but they have much better reviews and they even make a model with a "picture window" so you can see more during the hatch. I think the next one I will buy will be the Hova Bator. I definitely can't afford a Brinsea, especially one big enough to hatch more than 7 eggs...lol

It depends on the climate too. A classroom in a state that warm day and night is probably going to get better rates (especially with with the cheaper bators) than one-oh say up here in NY where during class time the heater is on to keep the kids warm and after hours it's turned down causing that bigger temp fluctuation. A lot of variables could make it or break it.

 

[AmyLynn2374]

I use the 9200 myself, but I am babysitting it constantly to have the good hatch rates that I do. To the point that I am up every two hours at night to check temps...lol (Funny thing is, it's steadiest at night, I'm just paranoid because of all the stories you hear how they spiked in the night.) But I am right on top of it. I doubt that I'd have the good hatch rates if I had to be away all day (or night) and couldn't adjust for fluctuations. Humidity isn't a problem because I do the dry method.

 

[kuchchicks]

Ty!