What's the best incu, help?

[rancher hicks]

This is what I'd like in an incu.
Maintains even temp. w/o having a special place for it.
Has it's own thermometer and hygometer.
Has eggs turner.

I'd like to not have to keep checking it like I am doing with the Hova-bator 1206N. And why the heck do they sell the turner seperate? The info says turn 2-3 times a day, but the web says more. And I don't get what "wet bulb" is cause the 1206N doesn't have a bulb.

I'd like a set it and forget it til the peeping starts.
What's out there that is as close as possible?

 

[pipermark]

for me the answer to that question would really depend on my budget, and quite frankly I can not afford one that does those things well.

Your standard small bator had basically a heating iron. This means that the eggs closest to the heating rod tend to get hotter than the ones farthest away. This can resolved to some degree by adding a fan to the bator (more money). auto turners more money as well.

However there are some people that seem to have a "green thumb" of hatching and get excellent results.

If I had the money, which I dont this is the company I would choose

http://www.brinsea.com/products/oct40.html

 

[walkswithdog]

For a small number of eggs, Brinsea is the more reliable, insulate and more automatic of the small bators. The cost would make me scream.

I'd save another 200 and buy the Dickey (large solid wood cabinet bator) instead because spending the same money to be limited to 20 or 40 eggs seems like a spectacular waste.

Wet bulb is a term that applies to a certain type of hygrometer, today most hygrometers are NOT wet bulb but digital or analog and deal in direct RH.

A wet bulb hygrometer has a regular hygrometer part attached to a little wick, which is attached to a water source. It measures humidity differently and on a different scale - a wet bulb scale. I have one for my antique bator which is sort of fun and different and supposedly more accurate. Still fiddling with cleaning out and evaluating/calibrating mine.

 

[Pick-a-LilyFarm]

I can not understand why anyone would want an incubator that you plug in, set the eggs and forget about it till hatching time. I love having to be able to tweek the temp and turn my eggs by hand...I can't seem to stay away from the eggs...every 15 minutes I'm checking on them....must be "mothering instinct"!

 

[tia]

I bought the R-Com Suro Advance. It is a bit pricey, and my first hatch is due on the 29th. If the temp and humidity are correct on the digital reading it is working great... no hassle... we will see on the 29th when my 8 ducks are due to hatch. The temp and humidity are set at the factory, but you can change them. It has an automatic turner... the whole incubator turns as it is on a cradle. It also has a pump and a humidity control. The only time you really have to open it is to candle the eggs and to take your hatch out.

Here is the site if you want to check it out.

http://www.jmtdistributors.com/rcom-suro-20-n20.html

Some people have good look with the less expensive models. I didn't, but some of that could have been due to my lack of experience.
There are lots of people on here that know more than I do for sure.


Tia

 

[snoblossom]

Brinsea I sell them and I recommend them!! I have two running from spring to fall and just love that I can go away for a weekend, also I don't have to worry that I forgot to turn or the temp. spiked. I have the Octagon 20 advance, well worth it to me. It is all in what you want and and what you can afford. Also if you are looking for small, there are two new octagons that just came on the market, take a look at them at www.brinsea.com They hold 8-10 eggs and one is fully automatic. Good luck.

 

[canada-goose]

Get the Turn-x! Extremely expensive but it holds the temperature pretty well. The turner is very nice and it comes with a thermometer and hygrometer. It turns the eggs once an hour which is great! I am hoping for an excellent hatch but this is my first incubation experience so....
I'll tell you how well they hatch.

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

GQF Sportsman, you could hatch wooden eggs in one. Get the auto waterer to keep the humidity pan with water, you don't have to open the door except to load it, stop turning and take the chicks out. It's as "plug and play" as they get. Yes they are expensive but you get what you pay for and our first one totaly paid for itself in about 6 months thru selling the chicks hatched in it, the 2nd paid for itself in about 3 months.

Steve in NC

 

[RonnieAtkeson]

Ive got a 1202 GQF that I can set and forget. Rock solid temps and humidity stays where I want it until its time to add some more water. My 1588 Genesis (i have two) are rock solid on temps and I just have to add water to them now and again. Ive had great luck with QGF products. I payed 100$ used for the 1202 and its awsome. I wouldnt hesitate to spend the 175$ again on a 1588 with a turner if I had to start over again. My ONLY problem with the 1588 (or any styrofoam bator) is that your are limited severly in how many eggs you can set. Im setting 14 dozen guinea eggs tonite so for me a cabinet bator is a must.

 

[SpunkyTheMonkey]

wet-bulb is just another way of measuring humidity.

you can convert wet-bulb to RH here .

you can also make a wet-bulb thermometer quite easily. cut the end (the plastic bit) off of a shoelace, shove the bulb of a thermometer inside the shoelace. find something to use as a small water reservoir and fill it with water. trim the shoe lace down and stick the other end in the water. (requires air flow to work so probably next to useless in still air bators).