Whats The Best Incubator Under $300?

[Quail Jailer]

I think a quality toaster oven thermostat would be pretty sensitive, one of these days I'll try it.

Bruiser the hovabator 1602 with the fan and auto turner is one of the better deals for the price. All setup it's around $150+/- and shipping. Check out gqfmfg.com. I've never used that unit itself but I use mostly GQF (makers of the hovabator) parts to make my own incubators so I know they are good quality. I've had two hovabator turners running almost non stop for going on two years. The wafers for the thermostats last for about a year usually and are only $7 to replace.

you know I never considered an oven thermo....but I have to agree, I also use GQF thermostats they are the best mechanical one for the application, hands down.

 

[dc3085]

Tony makes an excellent point. Plastic incubators are much easier to clean effectively, than styrofoam.

 

[Quail Jailer]

I use vinegar to disinfect, its nearly as effective as bleach (something like 98%)

And safe for everyone...

Plastic is easier to clean, but around here we go with cheaper...not because we are cheap, but because we are poor...lol

 

[Bruiserdog99]

Hey quick question im need to sluaghter some of my roo's probaly 4 need to go ive already sexed all of them but i have a tibetan who i thought was a hen but i sexed them all again and he foams but it doesnt look like the other one this one is clear and is not as swollen is it a hen or a roo also the side of his face has a redish tint. Thanks

 

[Quail Jailer]

I'm not sure I understand, maybe DC will come on and answer...

do you mean the foam is clearer? how old is this bird?

 

[dc3085]

With tibetans a&ms and other non auto sexing birds you have to vent or foam sex. The problem you have right now is that if its been covered in the last 12 hours or so a hens vent may still have foam in it. Put it in a different cage away from all the other birds, dont give it food or water. Within 15-20 minutes or so it should either crow or chirp loudly because its angry. Only hens can produce that piercing cricket chirp at high volume. Roosters can make the sound too but only low and soft and will only do it when you are handling them.

 

[dc3085]

Also search BYC for vent sexing coturnix quail and look for a thread started by a member called Monarc. She is one of the most knowledgeable who have participated with BYC, so anything she says is worth paying attention to. In her vent sexing thread she has pictures and drawings of specific characteristics of the vents of each sex.

 

[Quail Jailer]

I keep giggling about DC making his birds mad to get a reaction...


I tried that once and got my face up in the birds face and said "you're ugly and your momma dresses you funny"

the bird just looked at me and said "maybe so, but you're my momma...."

 

[Bruiserdog99]

Hey i appreciate it. it was a hen. that would have been a waste thanks a bunch

 

[IncubatorWarehouse.com]

If you're wanting to hatch around a dozen eggs and spend less than $300 I would personally suggest the IncuView. It's a nice compact size. Some features that our customers have loved is the fact that the entire lid allows you to see all the action. It's especially great for kids. It has a built-in egg turner, a proportional thermostat which keeps the temperature range very tight, and it's all plastic, which makes for a sturdy, easy-to-clean incubator. Another popular incubator is the HovaBator Genesis. This incubator is designed for a higher capacity and is primarily made of styrofoam. It has a large viewing window, and also keeps the temperature range tight. The egg turner is seperate though. This incubator table may help you to compare between models, and you can learn more about the IncuView here. If you have any questions let me know!