Chic Chick 'Bator *UPDATED*

[Nicola]

What is a water wiggler?????

 

[CalicoFarm]

Quote:
And where can you find it?

 

[pegasuschick]

A water wiggler (or water weasel) is essentially a squishy toy that you put the probe of your digital thermometer inside of and it is supposed to mimic the temp inside of an egg.
I got mine here:
http://shilala.homestead.com/weasel.html
Mine only lasted about a month in incubation. Then in one the gel just got all liquid and the other one just sprung a leak.
They are inexpensive to buy so you could buy several.
Gina

 

[Felicia]

Wow, I just spent the past hour or two reading this entire thread

But it was totally worth all that time! I have learned so much by reading all of this.

Good Job Miss Prissy, and thank you thank you thank you!

I already convinced my dad to help me make one and he said he will help me learn all the electrical stuff! This means in no time, I will be making these things like crazy and hatching stuff left and right!

(little does my dad know this...haha)

Now I am so excited. I am going to have to go and start bugging Dad to take me to the store to get all the supplies!

 

[pegasuschick]

There was a post on another thread on this group that said you could also use a pill bottle, fill with wet sand and insert your probe in that. I tried this since both my wigglers died and it works perfectly. Much more accurate a temp reading.
Gina

 

[MaranDude]

I am only 15 and me and my step-dad built it together. I love the look on my friends faces when I tell them what I'm doing and it's so worth it. Thank you so much!

 

[pegasuschick]

Maran Dude,
Hey, good for you!

I built one too and it works great. It is a little difficult to keep the moisture up though so watch yours closely.
Good luck!!
Gina

 

[Dar]

i am gonna get DH to do this for me....(i cant read directions and then do it..I am visual learner)

a few questions...

1) can I use a submersible fish tank heater? that would keep the humidity up but can you have to much humidity?

2)should I put the bator in the basement where I know kids and pets wont bother it?..or if i put in the kitchen/dining room it will be seen all the time and i will be able to monitor temps better but DD may get curious

3) turning the eggs..can i buy an egg turner that will fit or are those things pesky and will only fit the commercial bators?

 

[pegasuschick]

Hmmmmmmmmm, I don't think a fish tank heater would work. Don't they need to be in water to work?
I don't think you can find a turner to fit your homemade bator but just check sizes and you will know.
Wherever you put the bator, it needs to be in a room with very little temp variation. If your basement temps go high and low then I wouldn't put it there. You really need a room with a constant temp. That is probably THE most important thing.
Gina

 

[AK Michelle]

I got my bator finished and the eggs are set. The kids have marked the calendar so they know when to adjust the humidity and stop the turning.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=25270-home-made-brooder

Hope this works.

Michelle