Could this incubator be used as a hatcher for poultry eggs? If so, is it hard to hold the humidity at the correct percentage &amp; does it have a fan?
244430
I have been using this incubator for poultry hatching. It is small and the turners will only hold 16 eggs. However, I have found that I do not have to add any water to this unit for the incubation cycle because it is air tight, the moisture loss from the eggs themselves keep the unit at the proper humidity (30-35%). I do move the eggs out of this unit and into a hatcher unit three days before they are due where I push the humidity up to 60-65%. This is for large fowl eggs. If I run a batch of miniatures or bantams I have to keep an eye on the humidity and may have to add a soda bottle lid of water on the floor and fill it every day to hold the right humidity. If you add water to the channels in the bottom that were made for added water, you get way to much surface space on your water and the humidity gets way to high. This is why I use the soda bottle lid and it has worked best for me so far. This unit does have a fan and it does work well. If you stack two turners one on top of the other, the placement makes it hard to keep a equal and constant temperature on both racks because one rack is closer to the heat vent than the other. All that said, I do love this unit and after some trial and error figuring things out, I have it down to a science and it works way way better than any of the other units i have or have had in the past.
1434319
I go by the humidity for duck eggs. there are a number of citations... it is between 55 and 65 then up to 75-80 for hatching.
269065
This is for the little giant but it is a generic fan. The kit comes with everything you need to install and it takes about 30 seconD's to complete. I have run 4 runs of chicken eggs with it and had no problems. My hatch rate went from 25% to about 85%. Watch your humidity closely. Any circulated air kit will dry the air a good bit so add sponges to help maintain humidity.
2145067
Does anyone know if the lock & lock egg container needs to be ventilated? I am puzzled whether or not the egg container allows enoght air to prevent the egg from molding.
1437556
I have 3 bantams and it is too small along with an attached running pen. I wouldn't keep more than 2 small grown chickens. They also don't use the roost that is provided and sleep in the tray or nests upstairs. My hens should be laying next month...it will be interesting if they use the nests for laying eggs. The pen is not designed to be moved or relocated...I've had mine a few months and it is starting to crack and the end door has been replaced with longer screws several times! The coop is made of light material and won't last very long especially if you relocate your birds to new grasses. Also, the nests are getting loose with no use!! From one grandma to another, you get quality with what you pay.
1225053
Yes, but be sure that it doesn't drag into the water reservoir and get wet. The paper towel should be dry. The humidity will go way up during hatch, but should not before that.
1001800
Yes it will, BUT you really need a fan kit as well. My still-Air experiences left me, even with auto turner, with less than 50% hatch rate. The fan kit increased that to an average of 75%+. My Still-Air Experiences were not favorable, but with the auto-turner & fan kit, it was much better, For Best results, bit the bullet and get a GOOD incubater like http://www.amazon.com/Little-Giant-Deluxe-Incubator-Combo/dp/B004XNMGKW/ref=sr_1_32?ie=UTF8&qid=1425308987&sr=8-32&keywords=hovabator. This incubator pushes hatch rates up to about 85% or better! Worth the extra money!!!
2238261
Hi...according to the instructions it can incubate duck eggs; however, the Brinsea Mini is just that, a "mini". From my own personal experience, I incubated and hatched 3 chicken eggs in it and that was all I would ever do. It got very crowded quickly, and if you're considering it for hatching duck eggs I wouldn't put more than two at a time in it. Duck eggs are much larger than chicken eggs, and based on that, I'm sure ducklings are bigger too. This is my opinion only, but if I were you, I wouldn't do it.
386152
It does come with a cheap thermometer, but I suggest buying a good thermometer and humidity gauge to double-check the temperature. It's too important to let a faulty thermometer ruin a hatch.
1704176
I used it for chickens and it was a nice housing unit the one issue I did have was with the nesting box. The floor of it can be easily pushed up by predators that get under it. You would have to reinforce this area.
178038
It moves quite a lot of air, I used it for a forced air chicken egg incubator and it worked great for that.
1539203
Just purchased and received this item two weeks ago. Yes, it does have a fan. It does not, however, have a water injection method. You, unfortunately, have to open the incubator to add water. It seems to hold humidity in really well depending on how much water you add. Adding water every four days to keep the humidity within the 50-65% range.
2254596
do not buy neither one of them,i have one and it does not hatch eggs at all,it burns the baby inside the eggs. i would not buy this incubator ever again. they are to high and are not worst the money,junk!
1377905
No, but you will need to turn the eggs manually. We passed on the hygrometer, using the instructions provided with the incubator regarding moisture control; instead we went with the automatic egg turner, which we found to be very helpful. We got a much higher hatch rate with the egg turner. Good luck and happy hatching!
1590091
I recently installed one of these, it basically works as a switch, so you can wire it as you wish. It has an in-built humidity sensor, and an external sensor to mount outside. You can switch a humidifier and dehumidifer and a fan. I configured it to start the a/c fan and 1st stage compressor when the humidity raises above 55 or 60% depending on what you set it to, as I live in SW FL. Works better than I ever expected it too, lowers my a/c electric usage drastically, and prohibits the mold/mildew smell you find in this part of the country!
2264902
Hello Susan... I was just eating an egg made from the unit in question for lunch; it was a perfect hardboiled egg. The user needs to be careful right after the unit has shut off. The temperatures exceed 200 degrees and can scald one if not careful. If you let the appliance stand for a while after finishing the temperatures becomes very manageable. The handle on the unit which holds the eggs is small. My suggestion to you, when using this appliance by an elderly person, is to place a bowl of cold water right next to the unit so that when the eggs are finished the rack can be lifted and placed in the water. This will allow the eggs to cool quickly and be easier to remove the shells. And secondly, allow for the bowl to be used to move the eggs around easily alleviating the need to worry about the small handles on the rack. The heating element base area tends to discolor due to minerals in the water. I pour very hot water in the unit and let it stand for a short time when cleaning it. I then pour out the water and scour the deposits with an abrasive sponge. The stain comes off very easily this way. I just thought I'd pass along this little tidbit of information. Also, when punching a hole in the egg to let out excessive steam so they do not explode do this to the larger side of the egg. Instructions call for the smaller side, but the other side works better. Lastly, add two lines more water to the unit (to what the instructions call for) for 7 hard boiled eggs.The system seems to need a little extra time steaming for perfect eggs... and they do come out perfect. I hope I have been helpful to you.
901624
Since the egg spaces are not preformed, you can put a variety of egg sizes in it. I've put small guinea eggs to large duck eggs and hatched successfully. Also, the temp and humidity are at your control. I love this incubator