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Post by fluffychook on Aug 25, 2008 19:23:35 GMT 8
Yippee, my daughter and I have just bought our very first incubator today. It is a Hovabator auto turn holding 42 eggs.
I have saved some eggs over the last few days so tomorrow after I have got the temp right, in they go.....so excited.
Now I do hope my rooster has been busy when we haven't been looking. We don't see him servicing the girls very often.
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Post by farmchooks on Aug 25, 2008 19:53:15 GMT 8
Hi fluffychook, Can I ask where you got your incubator from and rough price? Cheers
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Post by horses7 on Aug 25, 2008 20:29:48 GMT 8
Congrats fluffychook on your new bator, where you actually put your bator is also important as the outside temp plays a part in how successful your hatches will be, if it is kept in an outside uninsulated shed the outside temp varies too much, I keep mine inside the house as the temp usually doesnt go any lower than about 18 degrees or higher that about 27 degrees. Hope it has a window in it so in the last three days you can see whats happening
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Post by fluffychook on Aug 25, 2008 20:47:04 GMT 8
I got a Hovabator 42 egg auto turn from WA Poultry Equipment in Baldivis, it was on 30% off special so got it for $276. I did buy a hygrometer and that was $22. They are on the web if you want to check out their products.
It has two windows, a definate must for a sticky beak like me...lol and I have put it in a small room in the house away from everybody (mainly my grandson who cannot be trusted) as I had read on some very helpful threads that temperature around the bator is very important.
I had a nice chat with the salesman who was extremely helpful. The good thing about this bator is that you can replace EVERYTHING in it if it gets broken (grandson again). Also few moving parts, so less can go wrong.
I have had it on (without eggs) for a few hours now and am getting down to tweaking the temp, so if all goes well overnight, in go the first batch.
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Post by genuinesqueak on Aug 25, 2008 20:56:52 GMT 8
Hey Fluffychook, that's the same as mine I've been given a few tips regarding it. Someone told me that getting a turbofan for it will help with the success rate of the hatches, it helps keep the temperature more stable. I just got mine today (but can't put it in until next time) so will know the difference soon. I got it from brookfield poultry for $55. Here's a link to a forum post about temperature control and other tips for the hovabator's - forum.backyardpoultry.com/viewtopic.php?t=6734 There's also some other posts about them too
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Post by fluffychook on Aug 26, 2008 7:30:12 GMT 8
Thanks sqeak, I will be interested in your results and any other tips would be very much appreciated
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Post by genuinesqueak on Aug 26, 2008 8:54:15 GMT 8
The Brookfield Poultry people have heaps of stuff for the hovabators, and they have a good range of the actual incubators too (i wish i had've seen them before i bought from WA P.S's) There's one that is just like ours but it has a "picture" window... its just one big window in the top so you can see everything.... hmm.. next time hahaha
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Post by fluffychook on Aug 27, 2008 9:57:28 GMT 8
I was very happy with the price I paid as it was on special. I checked out out Brookfield as well before buying. WA P S had the one big window too, but it was not on special and so far I feel the two small windows show enough detail. I might be wrong, but hey I have not had anything more to look at than a few eggs in the bator. I am very much the pessimist, but I am being realistic about my chances with these eggs as I have seen very little romance in the chook pen. I might have to get some silkie eggs from some where else that are definately fertile. Well time will tell and at least you can candle them.....counting the days...lol
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Post by genuinesqueak on Aug 27, 2008 10:27:51 GMT 8
hehe yeah i was pretty doubtful on my test run of eggs... i'd never seen my rooster do anything but run away from the chooks... but then i ended up with one baby (that died in shell anyway) so he must've gotten to one hen hahaha
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Post by fluffychook on Aug 27, 2008 10:58:05 GMT 8
Thanks for the encouragement. Looking forward to next week
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Post by horses7 on Aug 27, 2008 22:43:52 GMT 8
Just hope your window on the bator doesn't fog up too much at hatching time, that would be frustration the max, hearing the cheeps and not being able to see what's happening, cos you can't open the bator as you lose all the humidity
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Post by genuinesqueak on Aug 28, 2008 12:54:45 GMT 8
Bugger don't say that! haha. I hop it doesnt fog up! eek! a week to go!! and counting.... la la la
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Post by farmchooks on Aug 28, 2008 14:22:39 GMT 8
We put our first lot of eggs in our home made incubator that my OH made. He has used it years ago and hatched over 100 chicks with it, however my first time so fingers crossed.
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Post by fluffychook on Aug 28, 2008 14:34:40 GMT 8
FOG, what you talking about.....don't say that. No one has mentioned the word, dare I say it....FOG. It is almost a four letter word. Brain is thinking there are products for mirrors and glasses that stop them fogging would that work? Calm down fluffy, it hasn't happened yet Hummmmmmm............(thinking yoga pose for calming). What am I talking about, don't even believe in that stuff....lol
Sounds like we are a few incubator babies ourselves. First timers, I hate the wait
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Post by genuinesqueak on Aug 28, 2008 14:39:36 GMT 8
haha yeah atleast we all understand each other I did hear tho that if the windows fog up then there's too much humidity? No idea tho.
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