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1:13 pm
Supreme Being
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Sun 2-Oct-11
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A friend has the same problem as me with ducks making a nest, laying eggs in them then a chicken omens along and lays hers in there too causing confusion. It Los means the probable loss of the ducklings as happened with me last year as the chicks hatch a good 10 days before the ducklings and the nest is abandoned. We have decided to join forces and get an incubator for the duck eggs but do not not know anything about them. I would welcome some advice from those who use incubators. It is urgent as she currently has duck and chicken eggs being sat on by a chicken who pushed the duck off!
Thanks
Trying to enjoy life as it is
2:19 pm
Councillor
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Wed 12-May-10
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Hi Aly
i have just put a dozen sussex bantams in the incubator ,i have mixed success with mine its a basic one and needs to be in a room with a steady temprature ,i dont think the thermostat is fast enough if the temperature fluctuates much ,a friend has a home made one .he got the kit from ebay and built the box himself ,quite easy to do and he has better results than me ,from talking to others it seems if you are doing it regularly go for the best you can afford ,but they are expensive if you only use it ocasionaly ,
dont forgrt that you need to keep the humidity up as well as the temprature right especialy towards the end of the time .
MOS
sit down with a cupa and the urge will subside
2:41 pm
Supreme Being
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Sun 2-Oct-11
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I have seen some with humidity control which seems like a good idea. I don't want to spend a fortune as I am not going into commercial production and do prefer the natural way of incubating. My friend and I just want to increase our chances of hatching ducklings. Last year one of my mummy ducks disappeared along with 7 eggs never to be seen again and I don' t want to lose any more. I would prefer to be recommended one as it is an expense and I don't want to regret a purchase! Thanks for your input, it all helps.
Trying to enjoy life as it is
5:21 pm
Supreme Being
Thu 24-Sep-09
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Aly, I bought an incubator last year and had great success with it. It regulates humidity, turns the eggs and is brilliant. However it is very small and has only space for four eggs, so is probably not what will suit you. I would tell you the make of it, but I have packed it. 
Could tell you next week if you want. 
Old teachers never die, they just lose their class
5:44 pm
Supreme Being
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Sun 2-Oct-11
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I have been looking at Brinsea but it seems there are Chinese copies on the market that don't work properly. Some have been sold via Amazon which is a worry. To buy direct from Brinsea is very expensive so we are going to look in the farmers shops here and see how they compare. Fortunetly my friend is fluent in French so we should be able to sort something out. From the research I have done it would seem best to have one that turns and maintains humidity. All help is gratefully received!
Trying to enjoy life as it is
5:58 pm
Supreme Being
Mon 21-Sep-09
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These are the places I have been looking at
Their prices seem pretty much the same
There is also Ascott supplies and they do Brinsea and another make Novital. So now I have to go and investigate the pros and cons of all these makes 
6:04 pm
Supreme Being
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Sun 2-Oct-11
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Yes I have bought from P and T before and was very happy so will investigate delivery costs!
Trying to enjoy life as it is
6:06 pm
Supreme Being
Mon 21-Sep-09
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Nice to know, but wondered about Ascott as they have an incubator set on special offer till the end of January better get researching asap methinks
6:22 pm
Supreme Being
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Sun 2-Oct-11
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Just bought from Pand T , paid a bit more to have an automatic one with humidity. Will let you know when it arrives and how we get on with it
Trying to enjoy life as it is
7:24 pm
Supreme Being
Mon 21-Sep-09
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Which sort did you get? 
From what I have read in the intervening time is that RCom seems to be a good make, Brinsea not so much and don't bother with Novital, so I think I will be going with P & T too, just which!
7:43 pm
Supreme Being
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Sun 2-Oct-11
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Yes it is R-com King suro bit pricey but I think worth the investment.
Trying to enjoy life as it is
7:45 pm
Supreme Being
Mon 21-Sep-09
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7:50 pm
Supreme Being
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Sun 2-Oct-11
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I always read reviews and really value them. I also review things I buy as it helps others. The Brinsea was expensive with not so many features and several people reported failures and over heating. My friend will be test driving it with her duck eggs so I hope it works! My ducks haven't re started laying yet
Trying to enjoy life as it is
9:16 pm
Councillor
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Fri 10-Sep-10
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Remove the hens eggs the broody will carry on till the ducks hatch . When incubating do not try to hatch a mixed batch duck eggs are notorious for salmonella incubator must be thoroughly sterilised between batches . I always used to buy ducks as day olds, never had space in the incubator for them it only held 10,000 pheasant eggs.
MOS incubation was always considered an art not a science , it's possible to forecast a good hatch by the feel of the eggs when transferring from setter to hatcher !
Seed catalogues are responsible for more unfulfilled fantasies than the web and playboy combined . (after Michael Perry)
7:20 am
Supreme Being
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Sun 2-Oct-11
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Oooh an expert! I knew about the issue with duck eggs and as this to be used for ducks hopefully we will be ok. My friend does not want to lose the hen eggs either which is why I have bought the incubator. I have always preferred the natural method but my friend has young twins who are excited about the eggs hatching so we thought it would be good for them to see. Always up for a new venture.
If a hen hatches ducklings what happens with introducing them to water? Will a hen care for the ducklings in the same way she would chicks? Big learning curve for me!
Trying to enjoy life as it is
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