Which cheap incubator would you choose?

[peepers93]

Hey all - hoping to try my hand at hatching some eggs. At the moment, we'd like to keep an incubator purchase on the cheap side. If this turns out to be something my husband and I enjoy we may upgrade in the future, but that's not in the cards right now.

So, right now our options are a used Little Giant still air incubator and egg turner for $50, or this I found on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B010OUJCGS/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_CHjLzbVFZ57DB

Any one had experience with either?

 

[feedman77]

I've used the lgs. With a lot of babysitting you can get decent results.

But don't recommend them.

Haven't used the one from Amazon. Can't say.

If incubating is something you want to try. Too save a lot of heartache and disappointment save up and get a little better incubator.

The only styro I truly recommend is a 1588 genesis.

 

[peepers93]

Thank you for the advice! I'll look into that one.

Another one we're considering is the Farm Innovators 4250. I found a good deal on it, and it seems to have better reviews than the LG.

 

[feedman77]

Goto the gqf website. They manufacturer the Hovabator series of incubators.

They have several models of tabletops. Some in the price range you were wanting stay in.

If going styro look into hovabators they are to me a little better than lg and fis.

Jmho.

Good luck with any you choose

 

[sylviethecochin]

I like this one--great success rate, and even makes a good home for the chicks after they hatch!

In all seriousness, though, if you just want a cheap incubator, get a styrofoam box, put a lightbulb through the back of it (shielded from the styrofoam by something less flammable) and cut out a square in the front of the box, and cover the hole with glass.

On the wall behind the square, mount a (good) thermometer and a hydrometer (a cheap one may be made with a shoestring and a bulb thermometer.) and make sure they're visible through the glass.

Do not mount it on the glass. The temperature is different there.

Put an open tupperware container of water in the box, buy a box of infertile eggs, and determine how open that lid needs to be to keep those eggs at a constant temperature and good humidity. If the temperature fluxes too much, fill plastic soda bottles with water, close them, and leave them in the incubator. Water temperature is difficult to change because water absorbs heat without being affected too much, and it will stabilise the temperature of your incubator. You can also use rocks.

I have used this in the past with about eighty percent success--it was in our basement, which constantly flexes in temperature by about ten degrees. I do not consider that a bad hatch rate. My broody hens did a lot better, though.

 

[sylviethecochin]

Also, fire safety is important. Mine was amateurish, and took about half an hour to make which is why it was in the concrete and fireproof basement. For my lightbulb, I actually upended an old lamp and left the base sticking out the top of the box. Don't do that.

 

[abraga]

Styrofoam ones will hold heat/humidity more stable than the plastic ones. Forced air us better than still air. If u get still air..u should rotate the egg portions. Still air is more prone to hit/cool spots. And invest in a hygrometor..calibrated. don't just rely on incubator settings.

 

[james walker]

Forced air isnt that much more than still air. Spend a little more and you wont regret it.

 

[peepers93]

Thank you for the advice everyone! I'm looking into a Hovabator now. It seems like a much better option, I'm just trying to decide between the different models now.

As far as making one myself, I have considered it...but I'm most likely just going to purchase one. Safety is a big concern, I don't have a basement or anything to put a homemade one in and I would be afraid I'd mess something up and burn my house down lol. We had a heat lamp fire last year (outside thankfully) and ever since then I've been overly cautious about anything that might be a fire hazard.

I'd love to just let my hens hatch some chicks, but they've all just started laying in the last two weeks and none of them are broody. They're RIRs and sex links so they may not ever go broody, if what I've heard is true.

 

[abraga]

Thank you for the advice everyone! I'm looking into a Hovabator now. It seems like a much better option, I'm just trying to decide between the different models now.
I have a genisis1588...i love it! It does a goid job for a lower end bator.its easy to use and keeps temp decent. Mine is 1degree off..so I like to keep two extra hygrometors in it. Most important thing about bator placement ..find a spot in ur room to place where temp remains fairly constant for best success. Keeping it near a window or a place where u get sun on it will cause temp fluctuations
As far as making one myself, I have considered it...but I'm most likely just going to purchase one. Safety is a big concern, I don't have a basement or anything to put a homemade one in and I would be afraid I'd mess something up and burn my house down lol. We had a heat lamp fire last year (outside thankfully) and ever since then I've been overly cautious about anything that might be a fire hazard.

I'd love to just let my hens hatch some chicks, but they've all just started laying in the last two weeks and none of them are broody. They're RIRs and sex links so they may not ever go broody, if what I've heard is true.

i don't know how many birds u have..but inevitably..u will eventually have a hen go broody.however..its still nice to have a bator on hand..cuz if u raise chicks..there will come a time when u need one!