sootem Posted August 25, 2009 Share Posted August 25, 2009 I am thinking about trying to raise my own chickens thought hatching in an incubator. Can anyone advise which/what sort for the beginner, please? All advice welcome. Susanx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted August 25, 2009 Share Posted August 25, 2009 Theres a few things you need to think about, which will help you decide on what you want How many eggs do you want to hatch? and do you have a budget? Then do you want an automatic turning one or a manual turning one? Do you want to be able to see the chicks hatching, as some have really good visibility, others have almost none. For a small number and a beginner, the manual Brinsea mini Eco looks good, and there is an auto version. R-com's are good automatic incubators too Have a look at this thread Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted August 25, 2009 Share Posted August 25, 2009 I had a Covatutto 7 which is pretty basic but did the job ok I now have one of those polystyrene 'homemade' ones, I bought the one with the fan, it holds the temp and humidity rock solid and I really like it Both of the above are basic and the eggs need to be manually turned If I was buying a new one now I would get the RCom Suro which has automatic turning and a humidity control pump which has had excellent reviews. If I was looking for a little The Brinsea Mini automatic modell looks pretty good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saronne Posted August 25, 2009 Share Posted August 25, 2009 I just hatched 13 out of 17 eggs in a Corti Automatic. My only criticism (and it's fairly big), is that the visibility through the blue plastic top is poor unless you use a torch. Apart from that, it worked really well! Saronne x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moochoo Posted August 26, 2009 Share Posted August 26, 2009 I've just had a successful hatch in one of the polystyrene ones you can buy off ebay. As long as you can commit to turning the eggs yourself they're a good cheap beginnners' kit. You just need to add a thermometer and a hydrometer. As Redwing said they hold the temperature really well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raina Posted August 26, 2009 Share Posted August 26, 2009 My mum bought be a Polystyrene Incubator from e-bay it came under £30 (including P&P) I needed to get my own Thermometer & Hydrometer (but i had already got those) Oh and it's manual (you need to turn the eggs yourself) There's a pic of it in the link,in my signature Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atsw Posted August 26, 2009 Share Posted August 26, 2009 As well as the incubator, you need to give some thought to how you'll deal with the inevitable cockerels you'll hatch . The sticky at the top of this forum has more on this subject. Andrew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sootem Posted August 26, 2009 Author Share Posted August 26, 2009 Hi Andrew This sticky problem has already been dealt with - I have a local farmer who is happy to take any cockerals I may hatch! Susan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HENthusiastic Posted August 26, 2009 Share Posted August 26, 2009 I recommend a good silkie cross! Brilliant incubators and you can get them for about £20! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sootem Posted August 27, 2009 Author Share Posted August 27, 2009 Not up in Northumberland you can't. That's the problem a lack of breeders in the North East. Susan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HENthusiastic Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 Really??? Gosh. I never knew that. Pity I dont live nearer, I've got a few younguns I could be the Northumberland silkie cross breeder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sootem Posted August 27, 2009 Author Share Posted August 27, 2009 There are very very few breeders of pure bred chickens in this part of the world perhaps you could become a travelling broody supplier! Susanx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HENthusiastic Posted August 28, 2009 Share Posted August 28, 2009 I just found out that my In-Laws are going to Scotland and stopping at your part of the world in a few weeks. I did suggest that they did a chicken sale on their way up, but they didn't seem too keen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sootem Posted August 28, 2009 Author Share Posted August 28, 2009 What a hoot! A chicken holiday! Susan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisEllis Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 Hi I am new to hatching eggs, I have been asking around and i was told to buy a Brinsea, they are suppose to be the best and also i have an new Brinsea mini advance 7 Egg Automatic incubator, it was quite expensive at £100 roughly but boy does it seem worth it, it automatically turns the eggs, and its all good with temperature and humidity, I bought 6 eggs fertilized and i am 11 days into the process of hatching them, so i'll post back and let you know how im doing and tell you if its a good buy...and you can always sell the incubator once you used it which i intend to do Wish me luck!! Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HENthusiastic Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 Bet you dont sell it....... you'll want to use it again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sootem Posted September 1, 2009 Author Share Posted September 1, 2009 Good luck - let me know how it goes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted September 1, 2009 Share Posted September 1, 2009 Bet you dont sell it....... you'll want to use it again I sold my first inccy after I'd bought a bigger one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisEllis Posted September 3, 2009 Share Posted September 3, 2009 Lol...i wont need it thought...just stick the eggs under a hen...it doesn't even have to be broody. aslong as they are there i suppose i can jus shove aa load of eggs and hope for the best? im bound to get a brody hen...every1 does! Plu i want my money back becase these things arent cheap (incy's) So only 7 days left and my little peeps hatch So i'll post back and let you know how its going on in a week or so Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
