Bucket incubator

[timothylw890]

So tryimg my first time at incubating since my chickens are still laying like crazy being winter. I made a incubator from a bucket and heat lamp. I set it in my basement since it has relativly ok humidity. I adjust the lamp 3 or 4 times a day to keep temperature at 100 degrees as possible. Just wondering if this idea is plausible? Just wanna see how this goes before spending money, my hen hatced two in october so my basement should be a good comparison to that weather and humidity in Pennsylvania.

Thanks everyone
Tim

 

[pennyJo1960]

I am not the expert answering here but could be plausible how did get get them elevated offthe floor? are you turning the eggs

 

[Dawnjanell]

We have hatched using a styrofoam cooler and a lightbulb.

 

[pennyJo1960]

We have hatched using a styrofoam cooler and a lightbulb.

that make more sense because allot of incubators are Styrofoam

 

[timothylw890]

Yea I've seen that but was trying to use what was on hand, those buckets are pretty thick and keep air in good. I didnt seal the top to allow air flow tho. I took a pringles lid and cut a hole in the bucket and put it there to look it for if and when time comes. Only been 3 days but ill keep posting to show if any progress.

 

[timothylw890]

I am not the expert answering here but could be plausible how did get get them elevated offthe floor? are you turning the eggs

Using a old egg cardboard carton, and I rotate twice a day. I did one on the floor as a variable. These were all fresh from the butt eggs and my rooster is always on my hens so I know they're fertile. Just hoping he gets on my Americana.

 

[Laodicia]

Using a old egg cardboard carton, and I rotate twice a day. I did one on the floor as a variable. These were all fresh from the butt eggs and my rooster is always on my hens so I know they're fertile. Just hoping he gets on my Americana.

I would rotate minimum 3x a day so they arent sitting on the same side over night. Diamondswan managed to hatch some eggs with just a heat lamp for lockdown.

One of my ducks had a nest of 5 duck eggs and 2 guinea eggs that all hatched at different times. I had to bring them into the garage with a heat lamp (since I don't have an incubator) once they started to hatch because fire ants were raiding the nest. I just monitored the temp and occasionally used a damp cloth, and squeezed a few drops into the open holes. The first to hatch was a guinea (12 hours after internal pip) and the last one was the other guinea egg (almost took a full 2 days to hatch). It seemed to take a long time, but they all made it.

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So the set up is plausible. Humidity might be an issue but it might be ok.

 

[timothylw890]

Thanks that sounds promising just using a heat lamp, if they do hatch Ill raise them in my basement till it warms up outside and to keep them away from the killer peekin male I have. Trying to eat the thing since hes so big but the boss wont let me.

 

[pennyJo1960]

I think the way it is in the basement that is covered that was said read the whole thread please
In early times incubation they never turned the eggs twice to three is great

 

[timothylw890]

might

Hey,
I noticed one of the eggs has a small crack, should I discard it to prevent bacterial infection?