I never hatch a lot of eggs. Usually a dozen or less, so my old brower top hatch was too big and unstable, and became noisy as the bearings wore. It wasn't consistent and I needed a new one ASAP. So I ordered what I could afford. After reading many satisfied reviews on this, I bought it. I put in 7 eggs from my pullet. All developed well. 1 died around day 15, so it didn't go into lock down. I hatched all 6 that did go into lockdown!!!
I do suggest watching the multiple youtube videos on this incubator and calibrate the incubator. Set it on a padded surface to help hold consistent temps, and wrap a towel or blanket around the base. I did all of these. I live in an old house with inconsistent temperatures. So I did get temps fluctuating from 95.5-101.5, but not often and it didn't seem to effect egg development. All hatched day 21 as they should.
I did have a corded hygrometer/thermometer in the incubator to track humidity. I ran a dryish incubation period. Humidity levels from 10-50%, but averaged around 25-30%. Hatch I bumped it up to 72% on average, but sometimes as low as 63% and as high as 82%. neither stayed high or low long as I am glued to the incubator at hatch time.
The cord did let some heat and humidity escape, so I did duct tape around the end the cord went in to help it stay consistent. I may make a small notch in the rim of the bator for my cord on my next hatch.
My highest hatch rate was about 65% is my old bator and this one it was 83%, so I am very thrilled!
I do suggest watching the multiple youtube videos on this incubator and calibrate the incubator. Set it on a padded surface to help hold consistent temps, and wrap a towel or blanket around the base. I did all of these. I live in an old house with inconsistent temperatures. So I did get temps fluctuating from 95.5-101.5, but not often and it didn't seem to effect egg development. All hatched day 21 as they should.
I did have a corded hygrometer/thermometer in the incubator to track humidity. I ran a dryish incubation period. Humidity levels from 10-50%, but averaged around 25-30%. Hatch I bumped it up to 72% on average, but sometimes as low as 63% and as high as 82%. neither stayed high or low long as I am glued to the incubator at hatch time.
The cord did let some heat and humidity escape, so I did duct tape around the end the cord went in to help it stay consistent. I may make a small notch in the rim of the bator for my cord on my next hatch.
My highest hatch rate was about 65% is my old bator and this one it was 83%, so I am very thrilled!