Average % hatch rate from your homemade bator?

[Grampa with chickens]

I have had anywhere from 83% to 100% hatch rates with my HWHT. Just get a water wiggler and make sure your inside egg temp stays constant.

 

[walkswithdog]

Okay on a wagon frame is just WAY too adorable for a Grandpa

That's nifty.

I'm not happy with my first go at this small metal cooler one - in that it takes a lot of work to keep balanced but I did get 100% hatch on the first three, and 3 of my four turkey eggs are still waving at me. The other is odd...
Not sure and it's not stinking so, it can sit there.

I used flex watt tape, which is nice for consistency but takes a bit too long to respond if the room temps change too much. The metal bator is more sensitive than foam to the outside temp. I'm going to insulate 3 sides and add a light on a dimmer that I can use to compensate when necessary.

It still needs work but I'm glad I ran a hatch through it to see how it went before I finished it out.

 

[Leah-yes I know I'm crazy]

I will let you know next week. I used a metal old style kitchen cabinate wrapped in insulation, hwht, 60 wt lightbulb, 6qt. jars for heat sink. So far (day 15) only lost one out of 38 to blood ring. Fingers crossed.

 

[AndreaGS]

I styled mine after MissPrissy's bator. Expecting a hatch in a week from now, but I was still fumbling through things in the beginning, so I'm sure that will affect my %.

Now that I've got it adjusted properly though, I can't see why I wouldn't get the same % I would in a commercial 'bator. The egg temp stays at a consistent 100 degrees, and as long as I keep water in the well, it stays at mid 40's for humidity.

I made my own egg turner too, so I don't have to reach inside.

Can't wait!