Can anyone tell me what a good incubator is to hatch 36-60 chicken eggs at a time. I will only be hatching 2-3 batches per year, maybe some pheasants. It needs to have an auto turner and temp control, since I am at work quite a bit. I will have it in my basement of my brick farm house, so the temp is constant at 55 F. and about 55% humidity. Hate to say it, but $200+ is a bit out of my range. Does the little giant that double R has on eggbay work well? There are so many and I have never used one. Thank You Criag S. PS thanks for the responses on the Marans, etc.

-- craig s (casinc@frontiernet.net), March 11, 2002

Answers

Hi Craig, I've got a hubabtor incubator $49.00 I think the auto turner is $19.00 extra,been using it three years-hatching out about 40- 50 birds a month. Had to replace the wafer after two years about $7.00. I got mine at the farm store and they are still the same price. You might want to check out your local feed & farm store. Daryll

-- Daryll in NW FLA (twincrk@hotmail.com), March 11, 2002.

Craig, I use a little giant I purchased from Double R. I have the auto-egg turner with it. I'm very pleased with it! This is the second one I have purchased in 8 years. Best wishes!

-- cowgirlone in OK (cowgirlone47@hotmail.com), March 11, 2002.

I got a little styrofoam one from Stromberg that works great. Will do 40 or 50 pretty good. It has been a while but I think about $45.

-- charlieS (charliesap@pldi.net), March 11, 2002.

Craig: Check with TRACTOR SUPPLY if there is one in your town. You can get the Hubabtor & egg turner, They keep them in stock at most stores...Warren....

-- Warren-NC (w.baucom@worldnet.att.net), March 12, 2002.

For 30 years I have hatched WITHOUT a turner. I turn 2-3 times a day. I just roll them around with a CLEAN hand.

WHAT YOU DO NEED it an AIR forced fan. Please do not get a STILL AIR incubator as they get HOT spots and cook eggs as there is nothing to move the air around.

I have an expensive ROLLEX that is 25 years old. (same size as the styrafoam ones) and I also have a cheap styrafoam inc. You just have to really monitor the temp. in the styrofoam before putting the eggs in.

-- Bonnie in indiana (queqid@att.net), March 13, 2002.