What hatch rates do those of you who use this brand usually get? And do you have the kind with/without fan, egg turner, etc? I always thought this brand had a good reputation, but recently I've heard something different.
Hovabator hatch rate?
I've used the Little Giant which is similar...a lot depends on the environment and how well you can stabilize the temp and RH. If everything is perfect, a 60% hatch rate is considered very good. There is a site on which some guy did a complete study and comparison of the two and the results were again very similar. ZZ has both--there are some pluses with the Hoverbator, but I don't remember what they are.
For either of them, don't rely on just filling the trays with water as instructed--you really need a hygrometer to monitor the RH. I usually find it necessary to add damp sponges to keep the RH up. In my and other peoples' experience, the fan is not that helpful for a small incubator. I have both and I think I may actually get a better hatch rate with the still air. The egg turner is well worth expense if you work or can't spend 17-18 days hanging out to turn the eggs at least three time a day.
If you can afford one--the Brinsea is the way to go.
Catscan is so right, the brinsea is an excellent bator with no fuss no muss. Temp and humidity is pre-set and constant. I have a small one and love it. Haystack
Here is the link for the site comparing them--make sure you turn your sound off--the music gets very annoying.
http://members.tripod.com/~QuackersHomePage/incubator/little-giant.html
Watching this, because I bought the hoba vator too. Still air with the egg turner.
I have use a LG and a hovobator. My hatch rate was the same for both about 50 to 60% in both. The fan is nice because it helps the humidity stay regular. Cant wait to see your hatch pics!
I got my Hova bator used.. It was okay for a while.. but then it went crazy.. I lost several batches of eggs.. about drove me nutz.. then I got a new wafer thermostat and it works good now. I have the fan kit, but haven't put it in yet. I've been using the Hova for a hatcher cause it's so much easier to up the humidity. The wells are twice as big as the LG and this one has the plastic liner.. I'm happy with it. If I had to pick.. I'd pick Hova..
I've seen a lot of people mention hatchers ZZ?
Do you take the eggs out of the incubator and put them in something else? Do I need 2?
Oh Melissa, not if your not going to do a lot of hatching. If you do one batch at a time, no need for a hatcher... I had many hatches that were "staggered" so one set would come out and go in the hatcher while the rest continued to incubate.
If I were just hatching one batch.. I'd still probably use the egg cartons, and not just leave them in the turner.. but that's just me. Day 18 is when they stop turning. I just take the turner out and put the eggs in cartons. I cut the cartons down so they are shallow and easier for the chicks to get out of.
Others just unplug the egg turner, which is probably easier for sure.
I've got plenty of cartons, so would probably just do what you just said.... I'm sure I'm going to be full of questions, since I've never done this before. I did buy a thermometer that also measures humidity, almost everything i read said to get one.
Yes, humidity is important Melissa. Its important to not open the bator in the last 3 days when you stop turning them as well, so the humidity does not escape. They need the humidity at that time and the membrane that surrounds them can shrink and shrink wrap the baby in the egg. Believe me, I made the mistake and lost many. Its truely sad. I know you will do fine though. I am eggcited for your first hatch!!! weeeeee! Hatching is fun. ;)
I can't wait either!! but I know I'll be as nervous as a mother hen during the process. ;)
LOL Yes, Melissa, you will be! LOL It's a very nervous time.. and a stress test for sure! How long can you go without opening it???? I was hating it the first time.. I thought these people were nutz to torture themselves that way! Yeah.. that didn't last long! LOL
It seems that everything is okay to open it... but when you get one that can't get out, or you open the ones that didn't hatch and see how dry they were... you will stop opening it.. The eggs dry out very fast inside..
Once you get a few hatches under your belt.. it's not that hard. :)
You can monitor how much they are drying out by candling. They shouldn't be mostly air cell when it comes time to stop turning.. There is a chart on some of the candling sites.. I'm not sure of the exact measurements, but I've gotten to know when the bator was either too humid or too dry.. http://www.pekinbantams.com/candlingeggs.php
is a good site for incubation info.
This is a hands on learning process... you could read for months and until you experience it, it's just not the same. Be prepared for losses, it happens. It doesn't mean you failed...
Those lil fluffy bumbling babiez are so powerful, they can make the whole world go away!
It scares me a little, I don't want to be the reason one of them dies!!