Which incubator is best? and other supplies needed for the lab?

[Windswept Stable]

I am looking for supplies for my collection and shipping lab

Does anyone know the best place to buy?

And what type incubator is best?

Microscope?

Any leads?

This is a big step for me, to move the phantom and lab home... so I want it to be done right.

Plus, I am asking for the supplies for Christmas!! What more can a person want for Christmas-- than an incubator and a microscope?

[Equine Reproduction]

Ebay, ebay, ebay... You are MUCH better off purchasing a really good top of the line used microscope and/or incubator than buying a new, made in China, knock off brand of scope and/or incubator. Bausch and Lomb, Olympus, American Optical, Zeiss...etc. You can pick up a really good used one for under $200.00 if you watch. Incubators just put in a search and look for one that will suit your needs and the size of the room you have available. Happy Holidays! :D

[sfstable]

I second Ebay. :yes:

I got an extremely nice microscope (my vet was very impressed :)) and incubator on ebay. Both were under $200 each.

[rideagoldenpony]

I bought my microscope on eBay. I just looked at one of the equine repro catalogs and made sure it had the same specs. Works fine, was way cheaper.

I bought my incubator from Exodus Breeders. I buy most of my supplies from them, actually. I have always gotten great service, so I keep going back. :)

You're going to love having your setup at home. It is WAY easier to accomodate those last minute requests when all you have to do is just walk to the barn to get it done!

[horsechick]

so what are the specs you MUST HAVE in a microscope and incubator?

[Windswept Stable]

I bought my microscope on eBay. I just looked at one of the equine repro catalogs and made sure it had the same specs. Works fine, was way cheaper.

I bought my incubator from Exodus Breeders. I buy most of my supplies from them, actually. I have always gotten great service, so I keep going back. :)

You're going to love having your setup at home. It is WAY easier to accomodate those last minute requests when all you have to do is just walk to the barn to get it done!

I can't wait to get it all set up. It just got to be too much to be on the highway so much -driving 45 minutes each way to the collection clinic. My 8 yr old son hated it, and the last minute requests were always a major glitch. I am so much looking forward to the home lab. I was so glad to find a vet clinic that would accomodate a home lab and come out to collect and package.

[rideagoldenpony]

I can't wait to get it all set up. It just got to be too much to be on the highway so much -driving 45 minutes each way to the collection clinic. My 8 yr old son hated it, and the last minute requests were always a major glitch. I am so much looking forward to the home lab. I was so glad to find a vet clinic that would accomodate a home lab and come out to collect and package.

Before we set up at home, we too were doing a 45 minute drive each way to a farm that was a client of the vet's. He was always supposed to let them know we were coming, and never did, so it was really awkward at times. Then he'd come an hour or two late, and now that I know how to do it myself, he COMPLETELY mishandled the semen. I do it SO much better than he EVER did!

That vet (who I don't even use anymore) was 3 stallions ago, however. Kathy taught Mardi to collect, and he's SUPER easy. We've always done our own collections with him, and have had fantastic conception rates. I think that a stallion owner that knows what they are doing can do a far better job than a vet who only does it once in a great while -- which is the scenario we were dealing with previously.

I really, really like the ease of being able to accomodate those same day requests, and when we were at the mercy of the busy vet, we couldn't do that. It allows for much better customer service to do it at home!

[lovehors86]

I'm sure e-bay would be pretty good... I also know minitube is generally used to working within a certain budget...

http://www.minitube.com/species_products.asp?Cat_ID=3&MI_ID=40