Poultry Supplies: Choosing an Incubator

You are ready to make that step and start hatching your own eggs! This rewarding experience, while challenging, can lead to not only expanding your own flock, but can also turn into a viable revenue stream for you. As when making any poultry supplies decisions, selecting the incubator that is right for you involves careful consideration. Here are some key factors to take into account.

What type of eggs are you planning to incubate?

Different types of eggs have different considerations. For example, bird eggs will need to be turned while reptile eggs do not. Reptile eggs also typically require a higher humidity and lower temperature than poultry and fowl eggs.

So when looking for incubators for poultry and fowl, you want to make sure you select an incubator that has turners included or an option to add an egg turner. When making your selection for reptile eggs, you want to find a unit that can withstand the high humidity, and also has enough interior space for you to stack your containers.

How many eggs are you planning to incubate?

This is a very important question, as it will determine what type of incubator model is best suited to your needs. There are two basic types of incubators; tabletop and cabinet.

Cabinet model incubators, while typically more expensive, will hold a much higher volume of eggs. Typically, cabinet models will range from holding around 250 chicken eggs up to over 1000 eggs. While you may not be planning on incubating that number right away, if you are planning to grow your business, this could be a great investment early on.

Tabletop incubators are typically smaller incubators, and will hold as few as 5 chicken eggs, and often up to around 50 chicken eggs. These units are great for someone who only has a few eggs to incubate, and doesn't plan to grow into a large scale production.

Most reptile incubators fall into the tabletop category, although there are advancements being made to allow for larger scale reptile breeding by some of the big name players in the quail incubation game.

Where can I get my incubator?

While there are lots of poultry incubators suppliers, only a few of those suppliers offer great customer service combined with large selection. If you want to find the right fit for you, call the company you are considering purchasing from, and ask them a little bit about your breed and the incubation process. They should be willing to help, friendly, courteous, and knowledgeable. If you do have problems down the road with your incubator, you will feel more comfortable contacting them and will have a better experience overall if you have already spoken with a representative of that company.

What else do I need?

Many poultry supplies companies not only sell incubators, but also a variety of other items that can help you in the incubation process. You should be able to find thermometers, hygrometers, egg candlers, and brooders for sale in addition to incubators. Having a fully equipped poultry supply/reptile supply arsenal will help you become.

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