HELP - Having some trouble/issues - first broody hen, and my first time... :/

WVduckchick said:

I agree with Shez on all that! I think hens and broodiness are contagious though! When one starts, it seems to ripple.

Incubators.... I wouldn't buy a used styrofoam one, but I would (and did, twice) buy used plastic Brinsea. Because of the sterilization factor. Using styrofoam over and over in your own environment is one thing. Sterilization is possible, but I still wouldn't risk it from someone else, used. Just my 2 cents. I love my Brinseas.

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WVduckchick said:

I agree with Shez on all that! I think hens and broodiness are contagious though! When one starts, it seems to ripple.

Incubators.... I wouldn't buy a used styrofoam one, but I would (and did, twice) buy used plastic Brinsea. Because of the sterilization factor. Using styrofoam over and over in your own environment is one thing. Sterilization is possible, but I still wouldn't risk it from someone else, used. Just my 2 cents. I love my Brinseas.

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Shezadandy said:

The very easiest way is what you're describing- drill 3/8" holes into the bucket (very important they're the right size) at the intervals you want. When deciding on the height and cup placement, remember that you're going to want to be able to dump the bucket- so leave a side clear to make that easy to do without breaking the cups, or making it so you have to lift the whole thing up off the ground. I would leave 2-3 out of your design as ready replacements "just in case." For your hot weather, this is probably the best choice because the water that sits in the PVC pipes gets hot hot hot, even here in Oregon in the summer- no matter how much you ice down the water in the bucket.

Use 1/2" plumber's tape- you know, like the stuff you use when changing shower heads- even grocery stores might have it- it's like $1. Pull the plumber's tape tight over the threads on the cups, then screw the cups into the holes like a light bulb into a socket. Careful not to over-tighten the cup because you'll wind up with a hole in your bucket that ends up being too big.

Their directions say something about o-rings- neither of my orders have o-rings included- neither one of my setups do either. If you want o-rings, check home depot's website (or whatever similar store is available) so you know right where to go in your local store- it's probably in the $2-3 range- and take one of the cups with you if size is in doubt. If you're drilling into a 5 gallon horse bucket (instead of a 5-gallon utility bucket like mine) there should be plenty of plastic to have the threads hold on. If it is a utility bucket, the o-ring actually might help.

If you're thinking about doing the PVC pipe way, here's a detailed account from a different thread about things to consider for ease of use-- there are a few more steps (and dollars!) to do it that way. This link should take you to the page, then look for post #299.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1108232/things-you-wish-you-would-have-known/290

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Cari C said:

I am SO behind on responding to you girls, I'm sorry. I started school this week, just one really looong class, once a wek, but I'm old and that and work are wearing me down. I love all the info you both give me. I am doing what I can to put an incubator out of my mind, because I can not afford to feed more chickens, and babies are addicting!! I have a weird crooked tail question, but need a good photo; my speckled sussex, out of nowhere, now carries her tail to her left, all the time, it is permanently slanted that way now. The entire tail, not just some feathers. Have you ever heard of anything so odd??

It literally just decided to slant to her left about 2 weeks ago.

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