The Poultry Keeper

EGirl · Joined: 01 Nov 2007 Posts: 1228 Location: Dublin, Ireland

Ok, decision made, I'm buying an incy! Rolling Eyes

I'm thinking of getting the Octagon 10, as it seems to be a good one and easy to turn eggs etc. I'd love some feedback and recommendations from those more experienced though?

12-20 eggs will be ample.
Automatic turning not necessary but ease of turning a consideration.
Reliability and high success rates obviously important.

Is there anything else I should look for?

It's likely it will be kept in a shed or even my bedroom, so the more compact the better....

I thought of making one but as I'll be buying eggs through the post I think I'd prefer a professionally made one, don't want to waste eggs which may be compromised already!

Thanks in advance! Very Happy

vanessa · Joined: 24 Sep 2005 Posts: 1267 Location: Correze

I've got the octagon 20, and am very pleased with it. I'd go for auto-turn cradle, as it makes life so much easier!

Kitsune · Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 1402 Location: Manchester

I always had good hatches with my hovabator (100% on 3 out of 5 hatches with my original) I tried a reptile incubator but hated it, got about a 30% rate with variable temps so I sent it back for a new style hovabator. I've got my first clutch in there now but due to their treatment in the post (more than 50% broken) I don't envisage a good hatch rate with these.

Hovabators hold lots of eggs, you can get an auto turner for them and they are nice and simple to use. I like them a lot

Pekinout · Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 1155 Location: Cornwall

I have a Hovabator (still air non-automatic). I enjoy turning the eggs, it gives you a chance to have a look at them too.

Positioning of a Hova is important, if you decide on this one (they're about £50 for a manual turning one), put it in a room where the temperature doesnt fluctuate too much, then once you set the Hova temp it's usually stable throughout the incubation.

Hova's hold about 50 hens eggs. They're probably the cheapest on the market and oldest design, but one of, if not, the best incubators around.

newby · Joined: 11 Feb 2008 Posts: 142 Location: Dordogne

Do you have a web site for the hovabator please?

Kitsune · Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 1402 Location: Manchester

http://www.gqfmfg.com/store/front.asp

This is the manufacturers online shop

Attila The Hen · Joined: 19 Sep 2005 Posts: 435 Location: Shetland

A hearty recommendation for the RCOM 20. (That's the cheaper non-Pro but 2008 model).

You don't hear too many folk recommending these - I suspect because it's relatively new, and there aren't that many of them out there compared to Octagons of various capacities. I guess that makes me an early-adopter (to use the dreadful marketing lingo!).

Why's it so good? Well, it really is plug and play - you stick the eggs in, and it does the rest, quietly with no fuss or bother. It has digital displays for temperature and humidity, and maintains the right settings for both throughout the incubation period. Perfect, as that takes care of temperature and humidity fluctuations in the room the incubator is sitting in.

Turns the eggs too of course with a clever moving floor arrangement, so no fiddly racks to clean after hatching. And on the subject of cleaning - it's all nice rounded corners and smooth surfaces, so dead easy to wipe over thoroughly.

Yes, it's not as cheap as a Hovobator (but what is? Apart from the very clever homemade cardboard box-bator showcased elsewhere on PK recently) but the old adage of "you get what you pay for" is as true as ever. And it's pretty close to Brinsea prices for the fancier new Octagons.

It's terrific, and I can't recommend it enough. Shame the capacity is only 20 eggs, as I'd buy a bigger one like a shot.

Attila

bronskibeat · Joined: 09 Sep 2007 Posts: 1690 Location: Clawddnewydd

I have both the non automatic hovabator (used as a hatcher) and the new 2008 RCom and can highly recommend both for all the reasons already stated above Very Happy

I also have a Maino fully auto 42 egg inc and thats very easy to use too.
I just move the eggs to the hovabator when they are due to hatch so no hatching mess in either of the other two Wink

greentree · Joined: 08 Jun 2007 Posts: 171 Location: Wicklow - Ireland

Elaine - sounds like a great idea! I feel some collaboration coming on here....!

Mick

EGirl · Joined: 01 Nov 2007 Posts: 1228 Location: Dublin, Ireland

Hiya Mick, sure I thought I'd bite the bullet and get on with it! Been checking on your broody today and she's sitting every time I look!

Ok then, the hovabator looks like great value. I can order a fully auto one from the states for under 100Euros, but would have to add a transformer to regulate the power supply. Any downside to that?

Also the hova is polystyrene - I have two young kids - a bad combination???? The last thing I want is to find it with finger holes in it!
Could you put in under a bed? Just thinking that out of sight is out of mind, and the bedroom is not heated so would be reasonably stable temp.

Pekinout · Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 1155 Location: Cornwall

All Hovabators come with the american plug on them, all you need to do is plug the twin pin plug into a shaver socket (you can buy those quite cheap from diy stores).

Under the bed not a good idea, it needs good ventilation.

The polystyrene is pretty hard stuff and they'd have to use a screwdriver or knife to dig into it.

crazywelshchuck · Joined: 24 May 2008 Posts: 95

Hi
Had a brinsea octagon 10 semi auto have sold it as within 8mnth thermostat went mad still under guarantee so fixed but never very impressed with it as hatching rates where not good as could'nt get the humidty higher enough with it.

I have a maino me4a fantastic incubator fully automatic and amazing hatching rates had it now for 2 years the only small fault I found with this is the hatching try tends to dip with the weight of the eggs so we have to put plastic bowls under the mess to keep the eggs out of water. Also a very small cut away area on the hatching mess and have lost a couple of chicks which have fallen into water below. Don't really know how they managed it as the area is so small!! this incubator holds 80=90 eggs other than these two small thing its value for money.

I got it from Banbury cross incubators.

I personally would'nt touch a octagon 10 been told the 20 is better

hope this helps
sharon

EGirl · Joined: 01 Nov 2007 Posts: 1228 Location: Dublin, Ireland

Thanks a mil guys. Your advice is much appreciated. I've decided to go with the hovabator. I've an airy dresser in the bedroom which will be perfect for it. I think the octagon is too expensive to be honest. I haven't the room to breed lots of chicks, so expenditure needs to reflect that. Many, many thanks for the advice.

ex

EGirl · Joined: 01 Nov 2007 Posts: 1228 Location: Dublin, Ireland

Hovabator with turner purchased! Can't wait to get started now! I must say I was very pleased with the price, less than €100 even with p&p.
Wish me luck!

Kitsune · Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 1402 Location: Manchester

good luck - I've just candled mine in the hovabator and all are developing - amazing considering all the others were smashed in postage!