DIY CABINET COOLER INCUBATOR How we did it and TEST RUN Ready Set GO!

[Sally Sunshine]

I candled my cooler bator eggs this morn, today is day 4.

9 light brown eggs were set so I could see best for my test run and 7 of the 9 show veining! I think the other 2 were refrigerator eggs which is why they are showing veining(at least not yet).

I had also set Marans eggs in with them the same day only because I had a customer no show and couldn't bring myself to put them in the fridge So I am trusting that they are veining also.

 

[dheltzel]

I am thinking of building a coolerbator as a hatcher only. It seems like the "best deal" is a 120 qt Coleman for $55. It's only 4" shorter that the $70 one Sally used. I'm not going to set it upright and put shelves in it, but leave it in the "regular cooler position" and have one large wire shelf like a normal coolerbator. I have a few questions:

1) I see the dimensions of the 150 qt cooler on the site and the first post of this thead. I assume that is the outside dimensions, what are the inside dimensions (approximately). I want to estimate how many eggs I can hatch at one time.

2) With the lid liftable, is there any reason why it would not work to put a horizontal frame just below the lid with sliding windows? Seem like that would not compromise the insulating lid except for the few times I lift it to look. Also, a sliding inner top would reduce the air movement when I need to slip my hand in to remove chicks.

3) How do you know the right number and size of the ventilation holes? Better to go with too many and close them if not needed?

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Day 17 for Teal! ooops not day 18!
Threw out 4 quitters the rest went in. Not sure on this hatch, some air cells dont look big enough, humidity in the room is back up to 30's, cabinet has been run dry since I started using it. ughhhh I dont think I need another incubator, I think I am in need of hatcher first.

Empty rack! will be filled SUNDAY with Brahma

 

[Sally Sunshine]

I am thinking of building a coolerbator as a hatcher only. It seems like the "best deal" is a 120 qt Coleman for $55. It's only 4" shorter that the $70 one Sally used. I'm not going to set it upright and put shelves in it, but leave it in the "regular cooler position" and have one large wire shelf like a normal coolerbator. I have a few questions:

1) I see the dimensions of the 150 qt cooler on the site and the first post of this thead. I assume that is the outside dimensions, what are the inside dimensions (approximately). I want to estimate how many eggs I can hatch at one time.

2) With the lid liftable, is there any reason why it would not work to put a horizontal frame just below the lid with sliding windows? Seem like that would not compromise the insulating lid except for the few times I lift it to look. Also, a sliding inner top would reduce the air movement when I need to slip my hand in to remove chicks.

3) How do you know the right number and size of the ventilation holes? Better to go with too many and close them if not needed?

1. not sure, I had to guess and pray it was big enough, I can measure later
2. I wouldnt see why it would be an issue.
3. you dont know the right amount unless you have a meter to read that stuff, its all guesswork. I posted on here a ways back what size holes my reg cooler has or else its on that link in my siggy. It has the drain plug open, and more of that size holes up on the sides, I have one close to the fan, but a tad off to the side, and I have a bunch of smaller holes. again see the link in my siggy and you can look at the holes I have, I have no issues and at this point hatched out tons of chicks in both of them. Only problem I ever had so far is not having an extra fan back up (my issue right now) and a back up power supply, they do fail as mine were already used. I was smart enough to buy extra wafers should they go, but not the fans lol.

 

[chicken pickin]

1. not sure, I had to guess and pray it was big enough, I can measure later
2. I wouldnt see why it would be an issue.
3. you dont know the right amount unless you have a meter to read that stuff, its all guesswork. I posted on here a ways back what size holes my reg cooler has or else its on that link in my siggy. It has the drain plug open, and more of that size holes up on the sides, I have one close to the fan, but a tad off to the side, and I have a bunch of smaller holes. again see the link in my siggy and you can look at the holes I have, I have no issues and at this point hatched out tons of chicks in both of them. Only problem I ever had so far is not having an extra fan back up (my issue right now) and a back up power supply, they do fail as mine were already used. I was smart enough to buy extra wafers should they go, but not the fans lol.

I can see how by back ups of everything will come in handy. I think I should buy a few extra things to have on hand just in case.

 

[Sally Sunshine]

love your new avy! gorgeous eggies!

 

[dheltzel]

Day 18 for Teal!
Threw out 4 quitters the rest went in. Not sure on this hatch, some air cells dont look big enough, humidity in the room is back up to 30's, cabinet has been run dry since I started using it. ughhhh I dont think I need another incubator, I think I am in need of hatcher first.

Yes, do a hatcher with me! I have the 150 qt cooler on it's way. I'm going to make a removable hw cloth shelf and put trays of water under it. Another "shelf" resting on the built in panels near the top to hold sliding glass access panels. Holes in both ends for ventilation and a removable cage to hold the fans and heater. No light bulbs because the chicks seem to rest better in darkness.

I'm gonna go back and study how you made holes in the cooler, that is the most intimidating part for me because it's hard to un-drill a hole.

 

[chicken pickin]

love your new avy! gorgeous eggies!

Thank You!

Marans and Cream Legbar, They lay my most favorite eggs!

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Quote: I am doing a hatcher the same way as a cabinet with shelves so I can add more than one batch in lockdown at a time. My big deal is space, upright gives me more room, I already have two reg coolerbators and the space they take up is more than I would like.


inside is 15" x 38" HOWEVER if you look at the images you can see at the bottom that a cooler is tapered not square, keep that in mind.

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Quote:
you know their are tons of studies on lighting effects on embryos. Lighting does them good not bad. just sayin

This was part of my decision maker on my design.

Quote: