Bread Box Incubator

[ozark hen]

Quote:
Reallly?! You've got my attention now. Have people successfully hatched with an electric heating pad?
I have several and I'm only looking to hatch no more than 6 eggs at any given time for now.
Could this work?

Oh you poor thing, thinking you will only hatch six at a time. Once it starts you will be addicted and there will be no stopping you.

 

[MissPrissy]

So true. This year I have been hatching since March.

 

[PineBurrowPeeps]

Ok seriously... I understand the addiction to hatching. But what are you guys doing with all of the chickens?! lol

 

[HidingInTheHenHouse]

My homemade incubator used the heating wires from an electric heating pad. It works very well. It is small so, no more than a dozen eggs at a time. I just cut open the heating pad and removed all of the wires, then taped them all around the inside of the styrofoam cooler with duct tape, running the control (Hi, Med, Low) to the outside through a small hole. I use a reptile thermostat to regulate the temps, but these alone cost $40 so unless you already had one, it wouldn't be economical to buy one.

I will post a picture in a bit.

 

[HidingInTheHenHouse]

Here it is. Incubator where the heat source is wires out of an electric heating pad.

Different angle

It's not pretty, but it works really well.

 

[vfem]

Wow, you guys are serious hatchers for sure! I've been toying with the idea, maybe something over the winter to keep me busy, and the chicks will be ready to go out in the spring.

I LOVE the idea of the hot pad wires in the bator. You didn't electricute yourself?! I probably would?! What about humidity? How are you regulating that? I don't see any moisture supply.... or are you going completely dry?

 

[HidingInTheHenHouse]

It is hard to tell from the pictures, but the terra cotta colored round planter saucer in the bottom below the eggs has water in it. I pretty much just keep it filled, and adjust the humidity with a vent opening in the side. In the first picture, it is dead ahead, rectangular. It is actually open about 1/2 inch, but you can't tell that from the angle. You can see it on the right in the second picture a bit better.

I've never shocked myself or anything. I removed the wires, but didn't disconnect any of the electrical connections that I found inside, just taped them up with the heat producing wires. You can see one connection in the first picture in the upper right, and the other connection in the 2nd picture at the middle top; both are wrapped in electrical tape, which is exactly how they were when removed from the pad.

 

[AK_Button_Mama]

I know this may sound silly but what is the water wiggler for? I see it inside the bread box but I dont know why?

 

[UrbanMama]

You buy a thermometer that has a probe, insert the probe into the wiggler and put the wiggler into the bator. The inner wiggler temp reading that you get through the probe is supoosed to be the same as the inside of the egg. It's also for piece of mind for many people. It doesn't change with every spike or dip of the bator or when the bator is opened to add water.

It may seem like a toy...but it can be a wonderful tool!

 

[AK_Button_Mama]

I was thinkign that was what it was for!!!! wow you guys are SMART


I dont even have my quail yet but I am talking to my husband about building an bator he is getting the stuf for me today!!!! I am SO EXCITED!!!