The Hovabator, the standard incubator used for reptiles of all species. This is a great incubator as it has the ability to adjust temperature, and add water for humidity.

Depending on which Hovabator you are interested in, the prices will vary. The cheapest one is the 1602N, which usually runs around $40.00 at a lot of reptile supply companies. The 1602N is the Thermal Flow Model, which allows heat to gradually warm up the insides, and also allows air to flow out the top vents of the incubator. This is the one I personally use and recommend. It is fairly inexpensive when it comes to incubators, and common in the trade.

Another HovaBator incubator is the 1583, Circulated Air Picture Window. This incubator has a large plastic window on top, which gives for better viewing. This is more ideal for classrooms and observation. This incubator runs around $75.00.

The best thing about the HovaBator is that they give you instructions, not only for chickens and ducks, but for reptiles as well. There is a tray that is placed in the bottom of the incubator which has to be filled with water. These instructions make it simple and easy. A digital thermometer is still needed to monitor the temperatures inside the plastic container you choose to use. I run my through the little hole in the center of the unit, and place it into my box, this way I can see the exact temperature the eggs are currently at, and I can adjust it according to this.

There are some downsides though. There is no digital setting. Instead, you are playing with a handle that says “Increase/Decrease”, so it’s a guess work game. It took a few days to get my HovaBator setup, but once I got the feel for how much a turn would change it I was able to make the small adjustments needed.

~Sticky