Author Topic: incubators (Read 3573 times)

mentalmilly · « **on:** May 07, 2013, 07:54:06 pm »

I am thinking of buying an incubator for duck/turkey/hens eggs. Can anyone tell me the best one for about 24 hens eggs please?

hughesy · « **Reply #1 on:** May 07, 2013, 08:01:04 pm »

You probably should be looking at R-com or Brinsea.

chrismahon · « **Reply #2 on:** May 08, 2013, 03:41:18 am »

Our R-com broke down twice so can't recommend them. We have semi-automatics, one Spanish and one Italian which will take 24 large hen eggs. Quite cheap but reliable (generally). Downside is you have to push or pull the handle 3 times a day to turn the eggs, so you need to be in early afternoon.

Dan · « **Reply #3 on:** May 08, 2013, 07:57:24 am »

There was a recent thread here on a similar subject that may help:

http://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/forum/index.php?topic=33286.0

HelenVF · « **Reply #4 on:** May 08, 2013, 10:32:41 am »

I'm a big fan of the RCom. Have had a lot of success with it.

Helen

hughesy · « **Reply #5 on:** May 08, 2013, 01:16:08 pm »

Same here but they've gone up in price a lot since I bought mine and I need a much bigger machine so going to probably go for a Brinsea next time. Also I used to work at a place where they sold Brinsea stuff so I know that their after sales service is superb if you need it, which is unlikely.

Anke · « **Reply #6 on:** May 08, 2013, 06:36:57 pm »

I have got the Brinsea Octagon 20 Advance, automatic egg turning, all singing and dancing. works very well. Takes between 20 and 24 chicken eggs, and we have just done 8 goose eggs, of which 4 hatched.
There must be a new model since I bought mine though...
Definitely can recommend it.

mentalmilly · « **Reply #7 on:** May 08, 2013, 08:05:04 pm »

Thanks everyone. I have ordered a Brinsea Octagon 20 today, l had almost decided on this one anyway so its nice to know its a good one.

graham-j · « **Reply #8 on:** May 08, 2013, 09:33:46 pm »

Hi,good choice.

Graham.

Mammyshaz · « **Reply #9 on:** May 08, 2013, 10:16:42 pm »

We have just hatched from the brinsea octagon Eco 20. Nice incy but we really struggled to keep the humidity above 45-50 in the last few days despite wet sponges and cloth. Lost a couple due to this

The temperature was fiddly to start with but stayed nicely in range once set. Great view if, like me, you have the need to keep an eye on the eggs from day one

( and for the children of course

)

nic99 · « **Reply #10 on:** May 09, 2013, 11:42:31 am »

After getting totally fed up with rubbish hatch rates in my RCom suro (last hatch I got 3 out of 15!!), I treated myself to an octagon 20 eco, with auto turning. I got the 1st hatch out of it yesterday and I am mightily pleased with the results. Out of 8 fertile eggs, 1 died halfway through development (guessing there was something wong with it?) and the remaining 7 developed fully and all hatched. That has never happened to me before, I am chuffed to bits! 4 out of the 7 even came through the post! So 4 white leghorns and 3 of my own crossbreeds all cheeping away and fluffing up nicely. Fingers crossed for girls!

hughesy · « **Reply #11 on:** May 09, 2013, 12:49:01 pm »

In defence of the R-com Suro, my hatch rate hovers around 80%. That is after I ditched the auto humidity pump and run it dry until pipping starts. I also cover it with a polystyrene box as it has no insulation of it's own and I can't afford to keep a room at 20 degrees plus.