Advice Needed: Best Incubator with Automatic Egg Turner for Hatching Poultry

Incubation & Hatching
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Seeking Advice on Incubators with Automatic Egg Turners

I’m currently on a quest to find the perfect incubator with an automatic egg turner for hatching poultry eggs, especially chickens. With so many options available in the market, I could really use some guidance from experienced poultry enthusiasts.

Why Automatic Egg Turners?

I’m particularly interested in the benefits of having an automatic turner compared to manual ones. I’ve read that automatic turners can help improve hatching success rates by ensuring the eggs are turned consistently. This is crucial, as I’m trying to maximize the number of healthy chicks.

Key Factors to Consider:

  1. Size of the Incubator:

    • How many eggs are you planning to hatch? I’m looking for something that can accommodate at least 20-30 eggs.

  2. Temperature Control:

    • Are there models with precise temperature settings? I know temperature management is vital during the incubation period.

  3. Humidity Control:

    • How important is humidity in the incubator, and are there models that monitor this automatically?

  4. Ease of Use and Cleaning:

    • Since I’m new to this, user-friendly features and easy cleaning options would be a big plus.

  5. Price vs. Quality:

    • What’s a reasonable price range for a good quality incubator with an automatic egg turner?

Recommendations Needed:

If anyone has experience with specific brands or models that you’ve found to be reliable, I would greatly appreciate your insights. Additionally, if there are any reviews or threads discussing this topic, please point me in the right direction.

Thanks for your help! Looking forward to your recommendations and any other tips you might have regarding poultry hatching!

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I’m currently in the market for an incubator as well! I’ve heard that the Brinsea Mini is a great option for beginners. It has an automatic egg turner and is compact enough for small operations.

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I second that! The Brinsea Mini is user-friendly and reasonably priced, typically around $150. Perfect for a small flock!

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I personally love the HovaBator models. They offer larger options for those looking to hatch more eggs. Their automatic turner is also quite reliable!

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True! The HovaBator is great if you’re anticipating lots of chicks. They range from about $130 to $250 depending on the model.

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What about the other features besides automatic turning? Humidity control is crucial too. Anyone have suggestions?

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Absolutely! Look for incubators like the Brinsea Ovation series that have digital humidity displays. They can save you from a lot of headaches.

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I’m on a tight budget, though. Are there any good options below $100? I need something basic yet effective.

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There’s the GQF Sportsman Incubator which is affordable and has an egg turner, usually around $80. It’s simple and gets the job done.

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What do you think about DIY incubators? I heard they can be fun to make and save money too!

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Absolutely! But they can be tricky. You’ll need to monitor temperature and humidity closely. It’s a fun challenge if you’re handy!

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Looking for a good incubator? I recommend the Brinsea Ova-Easy series. They have reliable automatic turners and are great for maintaining temperature and humidity levels.

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I agree! The Ova-Easy is great, but also check out the LuvNest Incubator. I’ve had good success with it too!

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Temperature should be around 99.5°F with humidity around 50-55% for the first 18 days, and then increase humidity to 65% for hatching. Don’t forget to monitor regularly!

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Keeping track of those levels is crucial! I use a digital hygrometer and thermometer, they are much more accurate than the old analog types.

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I never realized how important humidity was until my last hatch failed. Now, I keep a close eye on that! Can anyone share tips on what to do if the humidity drops suddenly?

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I always add a damp sponge or cloth to increase humidity quickly. Works like a charm! Just make sure it doesn’t get too wet…

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You can also use water trays in the incubator to maintain consistent humidity.

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I’ve faced temperature fluctuations before! Sometimes they get too hot or cold, and it can be stressful! Is there a way to troubleshoot that effectively?

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Definitely! You might want to check the incubator’s seal or its thermostat. It could also be a good idea to calibrate your thermometer to ensure accuracy.