Best incubator Rcom or Brinsea?

[connieconnie]

I was gifted a friend of a friend's incubator, that they used once. It's a janoel24 (approx £100), and I think I now know the reason why they gifted it for nothing. I did one hatch (shipped eggs) and got a 33% hatch rate (4/12). I'm now on my 2nd hatch (shipped eggs again), I'm on day 15 and I'm already down to 30% (8/24). I've been so meticulous in the care of all these eggs. I've lost sleep monitoring the temperature and humidity. I've got multiple extra thermometers and humidity sensors inside to try and monitor it, as I've found the incubator overheats and under-heats regularly. I've even have it set up in my bedroom next to my desk, so I can monitor it during the day and night. I'm managed to maintain it between 37.5 and 37.9 degrees Celsius all the time, humidity between 30 and 45% all the time (60% during hatch), and I am having to manually turn the eggs 5 times a day as the shipped eggs had loose air sacs (so are placed in an egg carton, pointy end down and rotated on their point).

Please please tell me if I'm doing anything wrong, as I really want to get a better hatch rate. Any and all advice will be appreciated! As I'm starting to get depressed over the eggs dying.

I'm thinking that there are hot spots and cold spots within the incubator (even though it's forced air), as I can get really different readings on my thermometers if they're moved around the incubator. And so I'm thinking of ditching this incubator after this hatch and invest £100-£250 on my own, good reliable incubator. I would like it to be able to hatch 12 eggs or more, but if the features I need are not available in my price range for this size, I am willing to go for a smaller size. Cheaper the better.

I've done some research and Rcom and Brinsea seem to be good makes. However they have so many different types (eco, advanced, EX etc.) and I would like to know which one you recommend!

Which do you think is the best value?
What features do you think are worth the money (automatic turning, automatic humidity control etc.)?
Also I'm planning to hopefully hatch some more shipped eggs, so what turning mechanisms are best for this (cradle, side turning plates etc.)?

From my limited research these models peak my interest:

• Brinsea Maxi II Advance Incubator - ~£200 - 14 hens eggs - auto turning - manual humidity - side turning
• Brinsea Maxi II EX Incubator - ~£255 - 14 hens eggs - auto turning - auto humidity - side turning
• Brinsea Ovation 28 Advance Incubator - ~£275 - 28 hens eggs - auto turning - manual humidity - upright,cradle
• Rcom King Suro Max-20 Incubator - ~£220 - 24 hens eggs - auto turning - auto humidity - upright,cradle
• Rcom 20 MAX Digital Incubator - ~£270 - 20 hens eggs - auto turning - auto humidity - side turning

Has any body had any of these incubators?
How have you found them?
Were they good?
What were your hatch rates?
How well did they work with shipped eggs?

Sorry for all the questions! Just really keen on getting a good one (especially since it's an investment), and really need some good advice. I just can't be getting less than 50% hatch rates again or I'll cry

Please please help me!

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

I’m so sorry for your frustration. Your low hatch rate may not be because of the incubator, but because of the shipped eggs. I have the Nurture Right 360. I absolutely LOVE it! I have done many hatches with it and have always had an awesome hatch rate with fresh eggs from my existing flock. The only times the hatch rate wasn’t as successful was when I incubated eggs that were shipped.
instead of buying a new incubator at this point, are their any local farmers that you can get fresh fertile eggs from or even on Craigslist? I would try a fresh batch of eggs first before giving up on your gifted incubator.
Best wishes and Be Well!

 

[Offshoreorca]

I was gifted a friend of a friend's incubator, that they used once. It's a janoel24 (approx £100), and I think I now know the reason why they gifted it for nothing. I did one hatch (shipped eggs) and got a 33% hatch rate (4/12). I'm now on my 2nd hatch (shipped eggs again), I'm on day 15 and I'm already down to 30% (8/24). I've been so meticulous in the care of all these eggs. I've lost sleep monitoring the temperature and humidity. I've got multiple extra thermometers and humidity sensors inside to try and monitor it, as I've found the incubator overheats and under-heats regularly. I've even have it set up in my bedroom next to my desk, so I can monitor it during the day and night. I'm managed to maintain it between 37.5 and 37.9 degrees Celsius all the time, humidity between 30 and 45% all the time (60% during hatch), and I am having to manually turn the eggs 5 times a day as the shipped eggs had loose air sacs (so are placed in an egg carton, pointy end down and rotated on their point).

Please please tell me if I'm doing anything wrong, as I really want to get a better hatch rate. Any and all advice will be appreciated! As I'm starting to get depressed over the eggs dying.

I'm thinking that there are hot spots and cold spots within the incubator (even though it's forced air), as I can get really different readings on my thermometers if they're moved around the incubator. And so I'm thinking of ditching this incubator after this hatch and invest £100-£250 on my own, good reliable incubator. I would like it to be able to hatch 12 eggs or more, but if the features I need are not available in my price range for this size, I am willing to go for a smaller size. Cheaper the better.

I've done some research and Rcom and Brinsea seem to be good makes. However they have so many different types (eco, advanced, EX etc.) and I would like to know which one you recommend!

Which do you think is the best value?
What features do you think are worth the money (automatic turning, automatic humidity control etc.)?
Also I'm planning to hopefully hatch some more shipped eggs, so what turning mechanisms are best for this (cradle, side turning plates etc.)?

From my limited research these models peak my interest:

• Brinsea Maxi II Advance Incubator - ~£200 - 14 hens eggs - auto turning - manual humidity - side turning
• Brinsea Maxi II EX Incubator - ~£255 - 14 hens eggs - auto turning - auto humidity - side turning
• Brinsea Ovation 28 Advance Incubator - ~£275 - 28 hens eggs - auto turning - manual humidity - upright,cradle
• Rcom King Suro Max-20 Incubator - ~£220 - 24 hens eggs - auto turning - auto humidity - upright,cradle
• Rcom 20 MAX Digital Incubator - ~£270 - 20 hens eggs - auto turning - auto humidity - side turning

Has any body had any of these incubators?
How have you found them?
Were they good?
What were your hatch rates?
How well did they work with shipped eggs?

Sorry for all the questions! Just really keen on getting a good one (especially since it's an investment), and really need some good advice. I just can't be getting less than 50% hatch rates again or I'll cry

Please please help me!

Hi! I haven't ever used a Janoel, so I wouldn't know how they worked. However, I can tell you that I've had great hatches in the Brinsea Mini Advanced II - I know it's not one on your list, but I have found the Brinsea products to be pretty great. The only thing I have read is that sometimes with the Brinsea Maxi II Advance Incubator some folks found getting the humidity high enough a little challenging (depending on the ambient humidity where you live, of course), so the Ex would probably the best for this size. I've heard good things about the Brinsea Ovation Incubators, but don't know Rcoms well enough to say anything about them. Some of it will boil down to how much work you want to do - of course, you still have to check humidity and temperature as the machines aren't always perfectly calibrated (though Brinseas I've found pretty good). Manual humidity can take a lot of practice and fiddling.

Perhaps my biggest piece of advice to you is to hatch local eggs that you've picked up to see if these poor hatch rates are due to shipping? A 50% hatch rate is considered great for shipped eggs and many people do much worse. If you can find hatching eggs within driving distance (yes, I have driven across the province for hatching eggs and now have six of seven developing well), you'll likely increase your hatch rate provided your incubator is good (humidity and temp stable), the eggs are fertile, and you make sure not to handle them too often. Poor hatch rates can also be the result of poor nutrients and health in the parent birds. As you can see, so very many things can go wrong. I do think that investing in a good incubator that you feel comfortable with can help limit what goes wrong. That being said, incubation is a steep learning curve for most people - don't get disheartened and know that there will be better hatches in the future! We can't win them all

 

[connieconnie]

I’m so sorry for your frustration. Your low hatch rate may not be because of the incubator, but because of the shipped eggs. I have the Nurture Right 360. I absolutely LOVE it! I have done many hatches with it and have always had an awesome hatch rate with fresh eggs from my existing flock. The only times the hatch rate wasn’t as successful was when I incubated eggs that were shipped.
instead of buying a new incubator at this point, are their any local farmers that you can get fresh fertile eggs from or even on Craigslist? I would try a fresh batch of eggs first before giving up on your gifted incubator.
Best wishes and Be Well! ❤

I wish I could go pick up eggs but I'm immune-suppressed, so I can't go outside (nor my family), till covid-19 has completely calmed down. I've been told by my doctors, that I'll probably die if I get it, so not to chance it. So sadly, until I've established a flock and get my own eggs, It's impossible for the time being (because believe me I would!).

I tried looking for a nurture right 360, but they don't have them in the UK.

Thank you for the help and advice! I completely understand I'll get low hatch rates, but from all they sites I've read, they said 50% on average, and I'm not getting anywhere close that... And the eggs aren't being shipped far, as we're in the UK, everywhere is pretty close.

 

[Offshoreorca]

I’m so sorry for your frustration. Your low hatch rate may not be because of the incubator, but because of the shipped eggs. I have the Nurture Right 360. I absolutely LOVE it! I have done many hatches with it and have always had an awesome hatch rate with fresh eggs from my existing flock. The only times the hatch rate wasn’t as successful was when I incubated eggs that were shipped.
instead of buying a new incubator at this point, are their any local farmers that you can get fresh fertile eggs from or even on Craigslist? I would try a fresh batch of eggs first before giving up on your gifted incubator.
Best wishes and Be Well! ❤

My advice as well, though I don't know the reviews on the incubator she has been using. If she knows she's going to be hatching many more batches in the future, an incubator upgrade wouldn't be a bad idea, but first you have to diagnose the problem (incase your incubator works fine and the eggs are the reason for low hatch rates).

 

[Acre4Me]

Shipped eggs: how old are they? After 10 days from being laid, hatching success drops off dramatically. Are you setting them in a cool area for 24 hours to let them settle before incubating? Many people do this with shipped eggs to help with the air sac, is my understanding.

 

[Offshoreorca]

I wish I could go pick up eggs but I'm immune-suppressed, so I can't go outside (nor my family), till covid-19 has completely calmed down. I've been told by my doctors, that I'll probably die if I get it, so not to chance it. So sadly, until I've established a flock and get my own eggs, It's impossible for the time being (because believe me I would!).

I tried looking for a nurture right 360, but they don't have them in the UK.

Thank you for the help and advice! I completely understand I'll get low hatch rates, but from all they sites I've read, they said 50% on average, and I'm not getting anywhere close that... And the eggs aren't being shipped far, as we're in the UK, everywhere is pretty close.

Is there anyone close enough to you that you could pay to drop them off at your doorstep? Postal workers can be quite rough with packages and I understand your need for no contact, but if it can travel via post could it also be delivered by an individual you trust and just left on your doorstep - you can disinfect the package before it's brought in. This might be a happy medium. In Canada livestock is an essential service, so you are allowed to go pick up eggs - so in theory someone could do this for you. If I was nearby I would gladly help - where in the UK do you live? My sister is in Wales, but chances are you are far from where she is.

Shipped eggs can be very challenging and disappointing. I hope you have better luck in the future!

 

[connieconnie]

Hi! I haven't ever used a Janoel, so I wouldn't know how they worked. However, I can tell you that I've had great hatches in the Brinsea Mini Advanced II - I know it's not one on your list, but I have found the Brinsea products to be pretty great. The only thing I have read is that sometimes with the Brinsea Maxi II Advance Incubator some folks found getting the humidity high enough a little challenging (depending on the ambient humidity where you live, of course), so the Ex would probably the best for this size. I've heard good things about the Brinsea Ovation Incubators, but don't know Rcoms well enough to say anything about them. Some of it will boil down to how much work you want to do - of course, you still have to check humidity and temperature as the machines aren't always perfectly calibrated (though Brinseas I've found pretty good). Manual humidity can take a lot of practice and fiddling.

Perhaps my biggest piece of advice to you is to hatch local eggs that you've picked up to see if these poor hatch rates are due to shipping? A 50% hatch rate is considered great for shipped eggs and many people do much worse. If you can find hatching eggs within driving distance (yes, I have driven across the province for hatching eggs and now have six of seven developing well), you'll likely increase your hatch rate provided your incubator is good (humidity and temp stable), the eggs are fertile, and you make sure not to handle them too often. Poor hatch rates can also be the result of poor nutrients and health in the parent birds. As you can see, so very many things can go wrong. I do think that investing in a good incubator that you feel comfortable with can help limit what goes wrong. That being said, incubation is a steep learning curve for most people - don't get disheartened and know that there will be better hatches in the future! We can't win them all

Thank you for the reply! I've heard good things about Brinsea and also they're manufactured here in the uk, so I should be able to get one.

I've really tried to source local eggs, but none of the breeds I want are close ... I guess I've just got to try and find them closer.

Don't worry, I may be disheartened, but I'm also determined I just want to check I'm doing the right stuff, and if possible get better with advice Thank you for the support

 

[connieconnie]

Shipped eggs: how old are they? After 10 days from being laid, hatching success drops off dramatically. Are you setting them in a cool area for 24 hours to let them settle before incubating? Many people do this with shipped eggs to help with the air sac, is my understanding.

I did check with each supplier that I was getting fresh eggs laid that day, but you never know... I also paid extra to have then posted and delivered within 24hrs. I settled them at room temp with a humidifier nearby keeping it approx 55-60% humidity for 20hrs. But I think you're right that some of them might have been old, as all the black copper maran eggs had terrible detached air sacks, 2 of them were completely scrambled inside and ended up leaking through the pores (not infected or gone bad, just the yolk had broken up some much ). The BCM eggs were posted with some buff orpington eggs, (all from the same supplier), but the buff orpington eggs were completely fine ( really good air sacs and no scrambling). So I think the BCM eggs were old...

 

[Offshoreorca]

Thank you for the reply! I've heard good things about Brinsea and also they're manufactured here in the uk, so I should be able to get one.

I've really tried to source local eggs, but none of the breeds I want are close ... I guess I've just got to try and find them closer.

Don't worry, I may be disheartened, but I'm also determined I just want to check I'm doing the right stuff, and if possible get better with advice Thank you for the support

Good luck with your future hatches! Brinseas are great and have made incubation sooo much easier for me - of course, things can still go wrong, but I've found them to be a lot more predictable and less worrisome then many of the less expensive incubators.