chooks&ducks

For the more interested poultry keepers, where breeding of birds becomes of interest.

This can be done using either, broody hens or incubators (arteficial incubation).

In this section you will find, different types of incubators, incubation methods/techniques, and other tips along the way.

First of all the 2 main types of incubators are Still Air or Forced Air.

Both varieties usually come with an optional Semi Auto Turner, Automatic Turner or you can use them as Manuel Turn.

Here are some different types of Incubators.

General Information
The Bellsouth 100 Incubator is a Still air incubator. This means thats their is no internal fan to help with the circulation of the internal temperature. This incubator is suited to hatch Quail eggs, Chicken eggs, Duck eggs, Goose eggs and even Emu eggs.

Turner
These can be bought with Manuel Turn, Semi Auto Turn, or Automatic Turn.
The turners work on a pully system, so that the base of the incubator is pulled backwards and fourth to turn the eggs that sit in-between removable dividers. The removable dividers allow you to move them to adjust the size of the egg that you are incubating.

Egg Capacity
These incubators can hold approx. 80-100 standard chicken eggs. The amount that they can hold will vary depending on the turner that you are using, and the size of your eggs.

Price
Brand new from Bellsouth is $248.71, the optional extras and egg turners are sold for an additional price.

Where Can I Purchase One?
The Bellsouth 100 can be purchased online from the Bellsouth website. www.bellsouth.com.au

Additional Information
The above photo shows the Bellsouth 100 when it is closed and operating.
Notice the illuminated orange light signifying that the thermostat is turned on.

The window in the middle of the incubator offers somewhere to see the temperature reading from the internal thermometre. Note that is not the best incubator for viewing the hatch of chicks.

The photo to the right shows the Bellsouth 100 with Manual turn.
It currently has 73 Standard Chicken eggs in it to give you an idea of its egg capacity.

General Information
The Hova Bator Incubator can come with the option of Still Air or Forced Air.I suggest that the best one for egg incubation is the Forced Air, although the Still Air works well as a Hatcher. This incubator is suited to hatch Quail eggs, Chicken eggs, Duck eggs, Goose eggs and even Emu eggs.

Turner
These can be bought with an Automatic Turner, or can be used as a Manual Turn. The turner works on a tilt system. This means that the eggs sit in selected spots in egg racks pointy end down which then are tilted backward and fourth from a 45o angle to a 13o angle. Egg racls can be bought to suit Goose eggs, Chicken & Duck eggs, and Quail eggs.

Egg Capacity
These incubators can hold approx. 60-80 standard size eggs without an Automatic Turner, depending on the size and variety of the eggs. For the Automatic Turner the Chicken Egg racks allow you to hold 42 eggs. The Quail Egg racks allow you to hold 120 eggs.

Price
Still air models starting from $130 and Forced air models starting from $240.The optional extras and egg turners are sold for an additional price.

Where Can I Purchase One?
The Hova Bator range can be bought online from Double-R Discount Supply. www.dblrsupply.com 

Additional Information
The above photo shows the Hova Bator when it is closed and operating. The red LED indicates whether the thermostat is running. The object protruding to the left of it is the thermostat control.

The two windows offer two different spots to place the internal thermometer, which will offer an average of your internal temperature. Having 2 windows, it offers more visual for hatching chicks compared to the Bellsouth Incubator.

The photo to the right shows the Hova Bator with the Automatic Turner installed. It can hold up to 42 Standard eggs.

Additional Photos

Forced air Hova Bator                               Still air Hova Bator                         

Manual Turn

General Information
The Covatutto20 is a Forced aiir incubator. The fan assists in the internal temperature circulation and also to stablise it. It is suited to hatch Quail eggs, Chicken eggs, Duck eggs, Goose eggs, and also Emu eggs.

Turner
These Incubators come with a Semi Auto Turner. The turners work on a pully system, so that the base of the incubator is pulled backwards and fourth to turn the eggs that sit in-between removable dividers. The removable dividers allow you to move them to adjust the size of the egg that you are incubating. It is a "Semi" auto turner as you need to manually pull the lever to turn the eggs. See photo to the left.

Egg Capacity
These incubators are designed to hold 20 standard size chicken eggs. The amount will vary depending on the size and variety of eggs that you are incubating.

Price
Brand new from Bellsouth is $298.10

Where can I purchase One?
The Covatutto20 can be purchase online from the Bellsouth website. www.bellsouth.com.au

Additional Information
The above photo shows the Covatutto20 when it is closed and operating.

It has a completely clear screen, so it provides a great view of hatching chicks.

The photo on the right shows the inside of the Covatutto. The dividers can be adjusted to suit the size of the eggs that you are incubating. The lever on the outside is used to pull the base back and fourth to roll the eggs.

Additional Photo