Chic Chick 'Bator *UPDATED*

[ZykloniaDark-GothikRanchr]

I am going to do this!! thanx Miss Prissy!!! I have been wanting to try incubating, but the expense of buying the bator has been putting me off considering I have NO CLUE what I am doing!! I build computers so I can do this...and I have a ton of old fans!! I cannibalize old computers people are going to toss to get the parts that work. if anyone needs a fan, let me know, we can work out shipping for a few bucks, I also have a bunch of the power transformer dealies!!! I am big on recycling!!!! THANX AGAIN!!!

 

[Mrs MIA]

I have 3 very happy healthy babies that were hatched in her prototype... they do work!

 

[Mrs MIA]

ZykloniaDark-GothikRanchr, I sent you a PM...

 

[joanm]

I've gathered just about all the parts for my Chic Chick 'Bator. The ONLY thing I can't find is the styrofoam chest!

I went to 6 places yesterday but not one carried a large one -

Is there anything else I can use or something simple I can construct? I've read most of the thread and I did see where someone was using a wooden box? Would the box have to be insulated?

My apologies if these questions have already been answered!

Thanks!
Joan

 

[MissPrissy]

Go to the flea market or yard sale and look for an old cooler - plastic, metal insulated - they all work. Make sure to drill vent holes.

 

[equus2]

Miss Prissy

We certainly owe you!

My 12 yr old grandson is THRILLED about making one for 4-H fair in July. Your instructions made all the difference! He's in Iowa, we're in Utah. He's so motivated, gathering up the supplies, taking photos, etc. He's making an incubator and a hatcher, and so far is under $10 each, since he's using donated parts from a plumber friend, and his dad builds computers, so lots of spare parts.

We're doing this each step of the way, together, but 3 states apart. We've put the windows in the bator, this morning.

A friend of a friend (stained glass expert) is going to build a rack, custom molded to the inside of his bator (these bait containers are not rectangular), so the chicks can't get underneath, and so that it's easy to clean.

He's also using these molded foil things (that you put on your stovetop, around the burners), around the light bulb to serve as a reflector but protect the styrofoam.

LAST QUESTION: have you tried, or would you not recommend, securing the fan to the plexiglass window? We've drilled 4 pilot holes, and the glass didn't splinter......so that shouldn't be a problem. Thoughts?

with much gratitude!

lisa and foster

 

[MissPrissy]

The placement is always what works best for you. The temps seem more stable if the fan can blow across the water source for humidity.

Very nice project to do with kids - even 3 states apart!

 

[Zookeeper9000]

Just a note here. Pet stores get fish in big square styro containers. Ours sell them for a couple bucks each. Might be a good source just call and ask what they do with them. They might give ya them free oh knows

 

[Lunchbag]

Angie, following your example, I purchased an identical water heater thermostat and installed it in my styrofoam cooler incubator. I was disappointed that it does not keep the temperature constant, but allows it to swing 7-10 degrees between turning the bulb on and off. How did you overcome this problem?

Thank you!
Aaron

 

[MissPrissy]

You may have to play with the wattage of the bulb. Each of my 3 takes a different bulb to get the same results. The fan blowing across your water for humidity helps stabilize temps. You have to fiddle faddle with it and tweak it for your own environment. You might even need a jar of water for a heat sink.