Which incubator is the best?

[aurorarose25]

I am trying to decide on which brand of incubator I should get. Any thoughts on type so I can find one on ebay? Should I get two if I get more than one set of eggs from a person at different time? That way I don't keep opening the bator to put the new eggs in or is that alright?

 

[Intheswamp]

What is your budget? They range from $50 on up. Then you have the "accessories"....fans and turners.

I wouldn't worry about getting two incubators just because you might be adding eggs on two different occasions. A second incubator could come in handy for a hatcher so that your primary incubator doesn't get gunked up with the hatching goo.

So...budget? Accessories desired?

Holler back,
Ed

 

[Z_chicken]

I bought a barely used Marsh TX6 with an automatic turner on Ebay. I put 19 shipped bantam cochin eggs in and got 16 perfect chicks out!

 

[Z_chicken]

I paid $140 + shipping

 

[aurorarose25]

Quote:
Well I was hoping no more than $100, but I want a forced air unit ( I heard they were the best for hatch rates), automatic egg turner and thermostats. Any Ideas????

 

[Intheswamp]

Quote:
Well I was hoping no more than $100, but I want a forced air unit ( I heard they were the best for hatch rates), automatic egg turner and thermostats. Any Ideas????

Forced air helps keep "hotspots" from happening, though even with forced air there can be some. Auto-turners help keep the user from being tied so closely to the incubator. Care needs to be given that the turner is monitored to be sure something doesn't happen and it stop turning....just pay attention when you look it that the eggs have indeed changed position. Getting all of this for under $100 isn't going to happen unless you find a super deal somewhere or a good used one....it looks like one sold yesterday in the BST forum...you might want to monitor those forums.

Here's a list of three different ones:

GQF 1588 Genesis w/turner (quail and chicken) @ $162.10 plus shipping from Cutlersupply...good quality styrofoam, digital thermostat, forced air (fan), turner has racks for both chicken and quail, large "picture window" viewing, capacity is 42 eggs (if I recall correctly). The digital thermostat seems to be doing an excellent job.

GQF 2362 Hova-Bator w/turner (quail and chicken) @ $121.95 plus shipping from Cutlersupply. Good quality styrofoam, analog (wafer) thermostat, forced air (fan), turner has racks for both chickens and quail, twin smaller windows for viewing, capacity is 42 eggs (IIRC). Wafer thermostat isn't as precise as digital, but millions of birds have been hatched with this type of thermostat.

Brinsea Octagon 20 ECO w/turner @ ~$150.00 while on sale from www.brinsea.com . Hard plastic. From folk's reports this incubator holds temperature and humidity a bit better than the GQF styrofoam incubators but at the expense of half the hatching capacity.

Best wishes,
Ed

 

[Kismet]

I have used the Hovabator 2362 for over a year and have had pretty good luck with it. I just bought the Genesis 1588 with the automatic thermostat. I really like it - it takes a lot of the worry about temperature spikes away. I splurged and got the automatic turners, too. If you are not home to turn the eggs, I would recommend you spend the extra money. Having the turners also keeps you from having to open the bator three times a day, so both the temp and the humidity don't fluctuate as much. I am using the Hovabator 2362 as a hatching bator, now and transfer eggs to it as they are ready.

Good luck.

 

[A-Texas-Man]

Forced air helps keep "hotspots" from happening, though even with forced air there can be some. Auto-turners help keep the user from being tied so closely to the incubator. Care needs to be given that the turner is monitored to be sure something doesn't happen and it stop turning....just pay attention when you look it that the eggs have indeed changed position. Getting all of this for under $100 isn't going to happen unless you find a super deal somewhere or a good used one....it looks like one sold yesterday in the BST forum...you might want to monitor those forums.

Here's a list of three different ones:

GQF 1588 Genesis w/turner (quail and chicken) @ $162.10 plus shipping from Cutlersupply...good quality styrofoam, digital thermostat, forced air (fan), turner has racks for both chicken and quail, large "picture window" viewing, capacity is 42 eggs (if I recall correctly). The digital thermostat seems to be doing an excellent job.

GQF 2362 Hova-Bator w/turner (quail and chicken) @ $121.95 plus shipping from Cutlersupply. Good quality styrofoam, analog (wafer) thermostat, forced air (fan), turner has racks for both chickens and quail, twin smaller windows for viewing, capacity is 42 eggs (IIRC). Wafer thermostat isn't as precise as digital, but millions of birds have been hatched with this type of thermostat.

Brinsea Octagon 20 ECO w/turner @ ~$150.00 while on sale from www.brinsea.com . Hard plastic. From folk's reports this incubator holds temperature and humidity a bit better than the GQF styrofoam incubators but at the expense of half the hatching capacity.

Best wishes,
Ed

Thanks for the link. I just bought the GQF 1588. It was the best deal anywhere.

 

[poultrykeep101]

Hey, found a link that might answer this question... http://www.theincubatorshop.co.uk/blog/which-incubator-is-best-

Looks like there's quite a few variables to think about :-/