- Jul 21, 2013
- 3
- 0
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Okay, hello. I am new and really only joined because all my Google research has still left some questions unanswered.
Backstory:
I am visiting family in the Orlando area. We have a large plot of land with a lake in the back. Ducks have always come and go, until recently because my mother's dog will chase them. Eventually the ducks wised up and don't bother coming around the back of the house. So I arrived yesterday early morning and have seen no ducks. I found a nest by the water, and grew concerned of the fact that I had seen no ducks at all. My mother confirmed that no ducks had been around the area for some days now. I decided instead of ruining the baby duck's chances, I would sit and wait to see if any ducks came by. For hours, nothing happened. I began, out of boredom, to research DYI incubators. Now, if I don't see any ducks within the next few hours, I would like to try to save them. I have marked the tops of the eggs with pencil (mostly so I would know if they have been moved when I check on them in a few hours). I know they need certain temp/humidity and to be turned slightly every few hours or so.
The best incubator I made is a small plastic drawer-type bin (meaning the clear-ish plastic drawer part slides out from the solid white frame). I have no heating pads and no light bulb fixtures, but I do have a straightening iron no one uses. I have a meat thermometer as well, but it only shows 130 degrees to 180 degrees. I have a small cap of water I placed in there for humidity, but I have no actual reader for it at this time.
The iron I have locks closed, so I wrapped it several times with a wet towel to keep it away from the plastic. I have made a barrier between the hot part of the iron and the front ''nest'' where the eggs would be placed (so they don't touch the hot part). I have left this running for the passed hour or so to see if it could work as an incubator. I have taken some pics to see if anything needs to be adjusted. You guys would know better.
Please do not be concerned about the eggs in the picture! They are NOT the eggs I am talking about. I placed some chicken eggs in there for size comparison.
Please let me know if it is too hot/cold in there, too humid in there, etcetetc. I would really prefer to save them and not make it worse.....
Also, where abouts should the little arrow be pointing for ideal temperature? I know it has to be around 99.5 - 100, but I can't pinpoint where that would be on the thermometer.
Also note: By the time I had taken these pics, the pin on the thermometer had moved (since some heat escaped when I opened the drawer.) I will try to take a pic as soon as the door opens, so you'll see where it's at when the thing is left alone.
Backstory:
I am visiting family in the Orlando area. We have a large plot of land with a lake in the back. Ducks have always come and go, until recently because my mother's dog will chase them. Eventually the ducks wised up and don't bother coming around the back of the house. So I arrived yesterday early morning and have seen no ducks. I found a nest by the water, and grew concerned of the fact that I had seen no ducks at all. My mother confirmed that no ducks had been around the area for some days now. I decided instead of ruining the baby duck's chances, I would sit and wait to see if any ducks came by. For hours, nothing happened. I began, out of boredom, to research DYI incubators. Now, if I don't see any ducks within the next few hours, I would like to try to save them. I have marked the tops of the eggs with pencil (mostly so I would know if they have been moved when I check on them in a few hours). I know they need certain temp/humidity and to be turned slightly every few hours or so.
The best incubator I made is a small plastic drawer-type bin (meaning the clear-ish plastic drawer part slides out from the solid white frame). I have no heating pads and no light bulb fixtures, but I do have a straightening iron no one uses. I have a meat thermometer as well, but it only shows 130 degrees to 180 degrees. I have a small cap of water I placed in there for humidity, but I have no actual reader for it at this time.
The iron I have locks closed, so I wrapped it several times with a wet towel to keep it away from the plastic. I have made a barrier between the hot part of the iron and the front ''nest'' where the eggs would be placed (so they don't touch the hot part). I have left this running for the passed hour or so to see if it could work as an incubator. I have taken some pics to see if anything needs to be adjusted. You guys would know better.
Please do not be concerned about the eggs in the picture! They are NOT the eggs I am talking about. I placed some chicken eggs in there for size comparison.
Please let me know if it is too hot/cold in there, too humid in there, etcetetc. I would really prefer to save them and not make it worse.....
Also, where abouts should the little arrow be pointing for ideal temperature? I know it has to be around 99.5 - 100, but I can't pinpoint where that would be on the thermometer.
Also note: By the time I had taken these pics, the pin on the thermometer had moved (since some heat escaped when I opened the drawer.) I will try to take a pic as soon as the door opens, so you'll see where it's at when the thing is left alone.
