Best Incubator (Low Budget)

[feedman77]

If you want some videos on building a styro.

Look on youtube. Search rush lane poultry. Lots of info on building and wiring coolers up.

 

[Welshies]

If you want some videos on building a styro.

Look on youtube. Search rush lane poultry. Lots of info on building and wiring coolers up.

All I need is a cooler, a light, and a temperature and humidity reader, right?

 

[feedman77]

Yes.

Take make it even better find a fan out of an old computer and wire it in for air circulation

 

[Welshies]

Yes.

Take make it even better find a fan out of an old computer and wire it in for air circulation

Hmm, we don't have any old computer fans. Any other way I could get air circulation? Also can I use any old glass to make a viewing window?

 

[BantyChooks]

Woah. I just looked at it, (styrofoam cooler type incubator), and wow the supplies would be heap. Under $20 at walmart.

All I need is a cooler, a light, and a temperature and humidity reader, right?

I meant it when I said 'cheap', lol. The wiring is easy too. Only thing I would recommend is to use a wafer thermostat. It's a tad pricey but well worth it. You can get by with a cheaper digital though.

 

[BantyChooks]

Hmm, we don't have any old computer fans. Any other way I could get air circulation? Also can I use any old glass to make a viewing window?

Ask around. Kiji is a good bet.

 

[Welshies]

Ask around. Kiji is a good bet.

Nothing on there. We live in the rocky mountains so...

 

[BantyChooks]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/building-the-binbator.72074/

I wrote this a bit ago. Two different bodies, same materials. The stuff linked is all to American sources due to the location of most of the BYCers but it's pretty easy to find up here too..

 

[Welshies]

I meant it when I said 'cheap', lol. The wiring is easy too. Only thing I would recommend is to use a wafer thermostat. It's a tad pricey but well worth it. You can get by with a cheaper digital though.

Hmmm... Well, I was thinking of using my photography stuff. It's like a heat lamp (the part you put the bulb into) where you just plug it into the wall. You can use any type of bulb with that. What type of wattage is the best?
What about circulation? If I don't have circulation will it still work? I've heard of using water bottles to reduce hot spots like in a still air incubator.

 

[BantyChooks]

Hmmm... Well, I was thinking of using my photography stuff. It's like a heat lamp (the part you put the bulb into) where you just plug it into the wall. You can use any type of bulb with that. What type of wattage is the best?
What about circulation? If I don't have circulation will it still work? I've heard of using water bottles to reduce hot spots like in a still air incubator.

About 45w. Much higher and you get massive temp swings.
It 'can' work but due to the type of heat you are going to have hot/cold spot issues.

I suggest gathering supplies as they come up for free or cheap. That is what I did. I am not sure how rurally you live but if there's a town close by yard sales are great for finding useful stuff.

You don't have to go high tech. Mess around, use your imagination and what you have. Let me find some examples.