I know this is old, but people (like me) still read them to study up on certain incubators. I use 12v fans and a variable voltage wallwart power source. That way, you can adjust airflow with 5 or 6 speeds. Just a helpful hint.
CK
Thanks for all the input. I'm going to go ahead and bring BooBoo in (she wags her tail like a puppy when I'm around) for a day or two, just to spoil her rotten and let her get the idea.... I'll place some golf balls on the nest. IF she turns broody in a day or three, I'll swap the eggs to HER...
Thanks guys and gals. I have no hatchery hens, all of my girls were hatched by me from different breeds I liked and got local eggs for. Most were from one source, who also happens to be a dear friend. Except for the colloncas, most of my girls are larger breeds, maren, etc. some feather feet...
I spoil my chickens. They run up to me, hop in my lap, etc. When they're sick or injured, they get to spend time indoors at my feet
in a pet carrier being spoiled rotten, held in my lap. etc. My thought is IF I bring one inside, make a cozy nest at the end of the carrier, let her (whoever...
Okay, you convinced me. Heating pad it is. That saves me time and effort too. Thanks!
*now.....where the heck did she put those darn heating pads.....?*
CK
I'll do some temperature testing on different sized bulbs. It's sealed in steel and perfectly safe, even the cord I used, so that is not a concern to me. Just the heat rising from the top. If I remember right it was about 120 with the bulb we used. Through a thick wire screen to hay or...
Thing is, I already have a tincan heater I made for another critter we had way back when. I like the idea of recycling it for this. I should fire that up too and test the heat output from the top of it.
CK
What is the ideal temperature range for incubating and hatching? I'm firing this puppy up now! lol What humidity is too high during incubation?
Thank you for all your input!
CK
I'm glad you mentioned the daily sunshine too. I have the perfect spot in mind now to keep them in sunshine and fabricated shade. I'm grateful for the lower wattage info. I had a raised screen floor in mind, so I could clean easily....how about a 40w in a tin can under there to zone heat a...
That looks fine. Thank you for your input! How many watts and type was/is your bulb? I have a 275w UV sunlamp and a 200w heatlamp. ....or I can get whatever is best if neither is good. I'd like to use as low a wattage as possible to achieve the proper temps.
CK Scrooge
Ah, thank you. That would explain where I got the 75% figure from. I made this last year. Good to know now since it was simple to keep it at 30 and 40. :) I had to add a larger bowl and rag to get it to 75. The opening between the two containers is high and allows air to pass over the eggs...
I think I finally have the bugs fixed in my homemade incubator to start my 12 collonca eggs. I now figure I have 3 weeks or so to build a brooder. Working with what I have on hand, my idea is to turn a portable wire kennel I use for keeping chickens separated when necessary anyway into a...
Okay, I think this should alleviate my concerns about the eggs touching the old steel screen.
Any problems with a clean, crocheted washrag? I'll be using non-latex gloves in my daily turnings in case any are allergic to latex...... :)
CK
Utilizing a 12v computer case fan and an adjustable voltage wall wart adjusts air flow and temp, the moisture is simply a bowl of water and a sponge or rag. I have a digital hygrometer inside the egg section. The glass windows are double pane. This will sit at my feet all day for 3 weeks and...
I thought I read somewhere here that 75% was ideal. Either way, I can adjust humidity inside as easily as I can the temperature! :)
To be honest, I had to strive to achieve 75%! lol
CK
My mistake, I meant to say 1/8TH inch refers to wire thickness. There is indeed a 1/4 inch hole......but because of the thickness of the wire, it's super heavy duty. I used sheets to cover my coop windows. A grizzly would have a hard time getting into MY coop! lol.
Sorry for the typo.
CK
This is "King Dinglefoot". He lords it over one collonca hen (Prissy) and 15 other girls.
Gandalf, Captain Bill and their girls Dizzy and Darcy have their own coop.
CK