Hi Charles.
I have white leghorns and RIR hens I was able to get locally. They do not go broody so I needed an incubator if I didn't want to buy chicks from a hatchery. I hatch 1/3 of the scale you mention a few times a year.
The numbers you mentioned would indicate the logistics of trying to use broody hens would not work and the incubator pays for itself given todays chick prices.
I did a lot of research and settled on Hatching Time CT Series. I got the 120 egg but they do have a 60 and 180 egg model. The reason I went with them is that they have every single part of the incubator for sale if any component fails. That is very important on an investment such as this, to me. I want to be able to repair my equipment and not have to replace it.
It only draws 195 watts when the fan/heater and humidifier are all on so it would be suitable for off grid.
I hatched some eggs in an unheated barn earlier in the year where it got down to freezing temps with no issues. I did cover the incubator with a drop cloth for the night time lows and draped it around a shelf so there was a 6"-8" air space all around. I had a 98% hatch rate on 50 eggs. It also regulates humidity. Both sides open for easy cleaning and they have the different trays available for the different bird types.
At this point in my experience with them, I would highly rate their product. They have regular sales/promos and military/first responder and some other discounts that may also apply. They are easy to get ahold of for questions.
https://hatchingtime.com/collections/ct-incubators
2
