Using an old, round incubator?

kodiakchicken

Songster
11 Years
Apr 18, 2008
896
4
149
Kodiak, Alaska
Okay, here's a question. I picked up one of the old, round, aluminum.tin incubators at a garage sale last year. I meant for it to be used for an FFA project, but noone seemed interested in chickens.

Now that I have my own chickens and have raised them to laying age without problem, I'm considering trying to incubate some eggs. Does anyone still use these old round incubators? This one had obviously never been used, still had the instructions inside. We've plugged it in and it works fine. Naturally, I know I'd have to check the temp accuracy before using, but is there any reason I couldn't use it?

I'm not quite ready to buy a new incubator and I really only want to do a handful of eggs, so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
 
Thanks, Writer, that's what I thought. I can't see running out to buy something new if my $10.00 garage sale find will work just as well.

Guess I'd better start studying up!
 
What's a "wafer" thermostat? And how do I get the humidity up, place a small bowl of water in the incubator or do the eggs themselves put off humidity?
 
If the thermostat in the bator is round with a knob on the side to adjust the temp, it's a wafer type. Feed stores usually carry extras if you ask. I don't really watch humidity that much, but if you're just starting, a hydrometer would be a good thing to get. Add water pans or cups to up the humidity if needed, open more vents to lower it. Surface area is the key to humidity.
 
I have one my Dad got in 1955, still works fine. What brand these are alot better than the styrofoam incubators. hold heat very well. Place small water pan about 7 in. dia. It is a still air so check temp. at top of eggs. 101 degree.

Great find, mine is a old Sears incubator. you will need to hand turn eggs. The turner sold for the styrofoam will work if your is the 100 egg size.
 
Are you referring to a Brower top hatch? Something like this!??
newbator.jpg


I LOVE mine!! It holds temps great...just put a small pan of water in the bottom...there should be a metal ring, and on top of that sits your "screen" that the eggs lay on. If the humidity wont come up, lay a wet sponge in there. Make sure you ALWAYS use very warm water...so you dont drop the temp. I say...GO FOR IT!! Oh, and the wafer in mine...is in the lid..they do tend to go out...but are easy to find, and replace..I say, go get one and have it on hand...just in case.
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom