incubators

[silvermam]

right so I can't seem to find chickens in my area (found silkies but I want them to lay eggs) so I was considering an incubator. The only reason I didn't want to go that route in the first place was cost but I'm hoping some people are getting the hints I'm dropping. So I was looking at several incubators and I just don't know what I should go for there are to many different kinds I don't need a huge one but one of those 3 egg things won't do either me thinks. So what do you use would you recomend it what do you like/dislike about your incubator etc.

Thanks!
Vera

[Birdie Wife]

I can't believe there are no chicken suppliers in your area! Wasn't there a reply to another thread you started, I remember it was black rocks about an hour's drive? Black rocks are really good and hardy and lay fine eggs too. An hour isn't too far to be travelling with chooks, our nearest supplier is about an hour and 15mins away and that's fine, so long as it's not a baking hot day. As you say, an incuabtor is a lot of expense to lay out when all you want is some nice fresh, free-range eggs. And buying hens, you can get just hens if you like, whereas hatching eggs you can't tell how many cockerels, hens etc, and usually there's too many cockerels and you need to give them away or neck them for the pot. I'll post for you on a couple of chicken forums I'm on, see what I can find for you.

[Birdie Wife]

Ah, just re-read your post about chickens in swindon, hadn't gathered that driving's not an option for you. Will post anyway and see what comes up. Could you PM me your postcode to help narrow the search down a bit? Obviously I won't be posting your postcode about whilly nilly, but I'd love to help you find some chooks!

[silvermam]

the black rocks are a bit further than an hour google reckons an hour and a half. I posted on freecycle too but just no luck. I will eventually get an incubator but I was hoping to do that next year. I'll pm you my post code
Would still love to hear about peoples thoughts on incubators

Thanks!
Vera

[CountryFayre]

Octagon 10 - reliable little incubator, holds approx 10 eggs, fully auto or semi auto, backed by 2 year guarantee, spares easily available after that period, stood the test of time. Downside: because it is a smaller incubator it can be more affected by outside temperatures.

Octagon 20 & 40 as above but not so affected by outside temp

Corti range - not bad for the money, I am getting good feedback so far, fully auto or semi auto available, guaranteed for 1 year, italian made, new onto the market last year so availbility or spares not yet known.

These are the two of the ranges that we sell that I would recommend for what you want.

Have a good look round, think about egg quantity and budget and go from there really - any other questions just ask

[Elmo]

Octagon 20 with autoturn cradle!! Don't have to worry about being there to turn them.

Plus the resale value on ebay is about £10 less than they are new so if you decide to get a bigger one in 12 months at least you won't loose a lot of money on it.