Making an incubator out of a refridgerator?

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BlueMottie

BlueMottie

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11 Years
Jan 3, 2009
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I've recently been thinking about making a homemade incubator, but would like to try to make one that can hold more eggs than an icebox or bread box.

It just so happens that we have a fridge out in our barn that really isn't being used at all. It works fine, there's nothing wrong with it, and I'm wondering if it will contain some of the parts needed to build an incubator.

So what do you folks think? It'd be fun-I like these kinds of projects, it wouldn't bother me much if you all came back and said that it would take forever and be a big pain in the rump or something
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Oh, it also has a freezer in the lower half-so perhaps I could turn it into a big two part cabinet incubator.

-Mottie
 
Are we talking about a full size fridge or one of those mini fridges. Just how many 1000 chicks do you want to hatch at one time.

what you are wanting to do is do-able, I have thought about it myself, junk fridges are easy to pickup at the landfield. I just cant justify haveing a incubator of that size.

The fridge should already have a fan and a place for a light. You might have to play around with the proper size lightbulb to make it work. Probably be easier to just purchase one of those $10 electric space heaters and stick inside for a heat source. The thermostat that is already in the fridge probably wont work since its made for cooling and not heating.

I say go for it if you need that much incubator capacity. It would probably cost to much to run if you are only wanting to hatch a few at a time.
 
Rebelcowboy- Thanks for the link!
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Muddstopper- I'd like it to hold a few hundred eggs as it isn't a humongous fridge, but I'm more interested in doing this for the project. I'd say that the cost of running it would be worth it if it actually works, especially since it's only running right now to keep a few cattle vaccines chilled. But thanks for the ideas as far as the space heater, sounds like that will work much better.

The bottom part isn't large enough to be a brooder, so I'm thinking that will be either a storage space for whatever, or maybe another bator.
Ahhh the hatching bug has certainly hit me hard! I already have two hovabators filled to the brim.
 
we made an incubater out of a small refrige. im going to stall a thermostat when it empties. if it works out good then i will post pictures and ideas. it has a glass window and the works. the insulation is so good it can be over heated with a 15 watt bulb.
 
BlueMottie

Please go to swheat's website. He has an excellent hatcher made from an old fridge and instructions on how he did it. It would work as an incubator also. It's the best one I've seen. As far as ease and simplicity goes. Good Luck!
 
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