building a new incubator

[lobo307]

i am wanting to build a new (larger) incubator and was wondering if cedar would be an ok material to use. i have alot of it already but wasnt shure about the smell or chemicals it will give off. will this be harmful to developing eggs?

 

[Oregon Blues]

I wish I knew.

I am currently looking for redwood to build my own redwood incubator. Cedar has many of the same properties about how it deals with water and it is much easier to find and much cheaper to buy.

I know that cedar shavings are a no-no for chicks, but would cedar boards oxidize and seal up so that the cedar oil wouldn't be a problem in an incubator?

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

Once it aged it would be fine or you could just paint the inside.

 

[lobo307]

should i seal the boards with urethane or leave them bare?

 

[Sparky2726]

To be on the safe side, I would steer away from ceder. I know it can cause respitory problems in several animals, birds included.

Lee

 

[lobo307]

ok, so im on the hunt for red oak or redwood

 

[tiffanyg2]

Can you post details on how you plan on building this~ I was thinking about attempting this myself. Thanks!

 

[lobo307]

best to buy detailed plans if you never built one. renegaderidgefarms sells them on ebay for like 12 bucks (i think). or look around this site, that should give you some great ideas. basically its a box with a controled heat source and fan(s)

 

[al6517]

I think if the Cedar is the smooth red variety and it is aged well you should be fine if you seal it first with a tongue oil, plus the color is fantastic. I personaly don't like to use ready made plans as they allways lack in many way's, But I feel the need to encourage you none the less.

 

[lobo307]

i thought the same thing about plans but the plans from renegaderidgefarms, were extremly percise and complete all the way down to where to buy materials. most of wich were laying around my shed. i did make a few small changes to suit me but all in all the plans were wonderful. and complete. right now all he has is a completed 5 tray incubator (the one i built) on ebay for 250 bucks, wich isnt all that bad because of the labor involved.
i am wanting to build a larger one and use the egg trays with a central turner, larger water shelf and get away from these gqf and lg turners.