TOMWARDFARM Posted May 20, 2009 Share Posted May 20, 2009 Probably been asked a thousand times before, what incubator would you reccomend, only looking at 6/10 eggs or so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted May 20, 2009 Share Posted May 20, 2009 I built my own but I know a bit so can attempt to help R-Com 20's are good and theres a new one out called the suro. Brinsea have got a new 10 egg incubator out the Mini Eco, I haven't seen one in real life yet, but you wouldn't go far wrong with a Brinsea and its a good price. We had Brinsea Polyhatch and Hatchmakers running 24/7 365 days a year at the farm, and they're a good few years old and still as good as ever . I've not heard very good things about Novital 7 eggs or Covatutto 16, as someones melted because the plastic wasn't too good. Hatch it is good to look at. Obviously just my opinion and hopefully someone else will be along soon. I think the Mini Eco looks the best bet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raina Posted May 20, 2009 Share Posted May 20, 2009 There's this one on ebay......the feedback seems to look good on it too http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:VRI&item=270388371367 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feemcg Posted May 20, 2009 Share Posted May 20, 2009 The Brinsea's are reliable and idiot-proof......not that I'm calling you an idiot, but I am when it comes to anything techy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted May 20, 2009 Share Posted May 20, 2009 I've not heard very good things about Novital 7 eggs or Covatutto 16, as someones melted because the plastic wasn't too good. I have a Novital Covatutto 7 and hatched my five chicks in it. I found it simple to use as it is really basic, I can only imagine if the plastic melted then the bulb must have been too high a wattage It is very easy to clean too. A really good budget buy in my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted May 20, 2009 Share Posted May 20, 2009 I've not heard very good things about Novital 7 eggs or Covatutto 16, as someones melted because the plastic wasn't too good. I have a Novital Covatutto 7 and hatched my five eggs in it. I found it simple to use as it is really basic, I can only imagine if the plastic melted then the bulb must have been too high a wattage It is very easy to clean too. A really good budget buy in my opinion. I'll take it back then Not used one myself, just what I'd heard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted May 20, 2009 Share Posted May 20, 2009 I have a Covatutto 7 but my first set of eggs are in at the moment so I don't have any idea if it will work ok! it seems ok so far, its a cheap inccy - the only thing I don't like about it is that the bulb flashes on and off all the time (its supposed to do that) which can be annoying! the temp was easy to get right and regulates quickly after the lid has been off. I had seven eggs in mine but it was apparent after a few days that space was very tight so I disposed of one egg It looks a bit like a toy but honestly seems to operate very well Charlotte (above) got a good hatch from hers so I am hoping some luck will rub off on me If the Brinsea Mini Advance had been out when I was looking for an inccy (its just been launched this month) I might have bought that as it looks foolproof but it wasn't out then and also I am pretty tight when it comes to being separated from my money Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TOMWARDFARM Posted May 21, 2009 Author Share Posted May 21, 2009 Thats great thankyou for your advice. I certainly dont need anything commercial my wife wont let me do over 6 / 10 at a time but that doesnt stop me doing 6/10 every 3 weeks lol Just out of curiosity what is everyone going to or have plans to do with the cocks? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 Just out of curiosity what is everyone going to or have plans to do with the cocks? Its the pot for mine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griffin Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 And mine too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TOMWARDFARM Posted May 21, 2009 Author Share Posted May 21, 2009 I am too soft I just have every intention of doing that but have visions of dozens of cockerels in my garden. Griffin I have family in faringdon do you despatch yourself ahve you done it before? I havent got the confidence to despatch myself and shamefully dont know the secrets behind plucking Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 R com 20 or any Brinsea. The new eco type looks very good. Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griffin Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 I've despatched one, I'm very new to this rearing malarky. He was a 12 week old cockerel who'd been very ill for nearly a week. He'd seen a vet, he wasn't going to get better so after spoiling him rotten for a few days I got up early one morning and sent him on his way with the broomstick method. It was over with very quickly and I was so proud of myself for having been able to do it. Because he was ill he wasn't used for meat so although I've done the despatching part I've not plucked and gutted a bird yet. I've got three boys I'm growing on at the moment. My Sussex boy will make a lovely roast but the Leghorn lads I think are destined for soup because they're weedy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TOMWARDFARM Posted May 21, 2009 Author Share Posted May 21, 2009 Well, can I be cheeky? when you are due to despatch the others could you let me know so I can come and watch your method, maybe I would get the confidence that way, I need to visit ,y grand dad anyway so I could kill two birds with 1 stone .... so to speak Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 Just out of curiosity what is everyone going to or have plans to do with the cocks? Cream Legbars aren't very good meat birds, and school wanted to drown the male chicks at a for hours old! Obviously I said no, and have emailed a few local people to ask would they consider taking on cockerels, we've also got someone in school with a small honding and can take any extras, just as pets which is really lucky for the birds. I might consider dispatching them, but not at home, would ask the farm could I use their cone just because I'd be nervous incase I did anything wrong, and for meat not just because they're unwanted chicks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TOMWARDFARM Posted May 21, 2009 Author Share Posted May 21, 2009 Drown them??? why are they breeding them if that is the only solution they had in mind? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griffin Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 I'm not doing all three at the same time, let me get the first proper start to finish job done and dusted and then if I don't completely stuff it up you're welcome to come and see another one I don't feel confident enough for an audience with my first meat bird I'll probably cry like a baby and make an idiot of myself Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 Drown them??? why are they breeding them if that is the only solution they had in mind? That's exactly what I said, and my reasoning for finding homes before we get the eggs and hatch them, etc. Not being mean but I'm the only person who has hatched before/has chickens and no-one else knows anything (we have no hope! ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TOMWARDFARM Posted May 21, 2009 Author Share Posted May 21, 2009 Lwescot what do you mean by this? Not being mean but I'm the only person who has hatched before/has chickens and no-one else knows anything (we have no hope! ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 Lwescot what do you mean by this? Not being mean but I'm the only person who has hatched before/has chickens and no-one else knows anything (we have no hope! ) I think Lewis is referring to the people at the school who have absolutely no experience with chooks and who think the way to despatch an unwanted newly hatched chick is to drown it, good job Lewis set them straight! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 Lwescot what do you mean by this? Not being mean but I'm the only person who has hatched before/has chickens and no-one else knows anything (we have no hope! ) I think Lewis is referring to the people at the school who have absolutely no experience with chooks and who think the way to despatch an unwanted newly hatched chick is to drown it, good job Lewis set them straight! Sorry. Yes. Teachers and pupils at school have never had any experience of hatching eggs and raising chicks. One teacher said we could hatch the chicks and then drown them when we've done it! Some people you talk to amaze me with what they come out with but I suppose if you've never been told you won't know! I've put a hatching guide together with a lot of what I know, and bought a few books to take in, so hopefully they will help. It all started when we were talking about variation and there are battery hens in our text book. "We could hatch some chicks at the end of term" was said as a bit of a joke, not thinking anyone would comment. Obviously I didn't let it go and here we are now I think we'll look at alleles, and how hybrids are bred etc. Should be interesting, and most of all fun, at school! Can I just add it is all being taken seriously by everyone in school and not as a bit of a joke just to get some chicks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TOMWARDFARM Posted May 21, 2009 Author Share Posted May 21, 2009 Lewis If you have any chicks left over I would take a hen or 2 as I want to breed legbars. You have black stars? stooopid question ... do they lay black eggs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 Lewis If you have any chicks left over I would take a hen or 2 as I want to breed legbars. You have black stars? stooopid question ... do they lay black eggs? Where abouts do you live? I have Black Stars yes, they're the same as Omlets Miss Pepperpots and lay brown eggs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 Just seen your sig. I think a Suffolk Noir is the same as a Black star and Miss Pepperpot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TOMWARDFARM Posted May 21, 2009 Author Share Posted May 21, 2009 Ah ok i live in coventry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
