Cleaning Incubator...

[aurorarose25]

What do I clean a used incubator with? I got one from a garage sale.

 

[sundance]

I used bleach and a scrub brush on my last hatch since only 3 hatched. poured bleach in the bottom, let set for a few min and scrubbed it out rinsed well and set in sun to dry, marrie

 

[snoblossom]

I would use vinegar, it will clean, and give it a good smell, then if possible let it dry in the sun. I avoid bleach whenever possible.

 

[JenEric Farms]

Went and looked this up for you.

This is from STOREY'S GUIDE TO RAISING CHICKENS by Gail Damerow:

Vacuum up loose down, sponge out hatching debris, and scrub the incubator with detergent and hot water. When the incubator looks thoroughly clean, apply a disinfectant such as Germex or chlorine bleach (1/4 Clorox per gallon of hot water, or 30ml/l). If possible, dry the incubator in the sun.

(Because hatching itself is a major source of contamination, clean your incubator after each hatch. This will improve hatching success and also helps break the natural disease cycle in a flock.)

Hope that helps!

 

[SunnyChic]

The cleaning instructions on my Genesis 1588 (styrofoam) says to vacuum the top where the heater & fan are and to use baby wipes for the top; I have a spray can of compressed air (office supply store) to blow out fuzz & dust and then I wipe down the outside of the thermostat, fan, and glass with "Wet-Ones" wipes. I spray out the bottom of the incubator, along with the wire floor and plastic water tray outside with the hose, then I bring them back inside and wash them in the bathtub with hot water & dish detergent, rinse, and wipe down with the wipes. Then they go back outside to dry in the sun.
Best of luck with your new (to you!) incubator!

 

[chickie_mama]

I use diluted bleach in water, then I set out in the sun.

I saw a thread a few months ago where someone put the bottom of their bator in the dishwasher.

 

[aurorarose25]

Thank you so much for all of the advice. I sprayed the whole thing down with a little bleach water cuz it smelled so heavily of smoke. I wanted it as clean as possible and let it dry forabout two days to make sure it wasn't going to hurt the eggs with the bleach. Is that good?

 

[JenEric Farms]

I think that would work well!