the in-laws were throwing out their old filing cabinet and I was trying to find something good to make into an incubator. I bought a sheet of insulation for about $10 at Lowe's, three thermometers for $9, salvaged hot water heater thermostat, salvaged plexiglass for the door w/ salvaged hinges, salvaged heater fan, salvaged hardware cloth for the racks, bought the flood light at a yard sale for $1. I can't think of what else I used in it. I am very proud of myself for doing this. DH helped me quite a bit one day. I messed up lots of times doing this and it took me about a month and a half start to finish, but here it is and it holds the temperature and humidity very well. It's not airtight, so it is ventilated. I'm using a syrup bottle and a dishsoap bottle to prop up the ends of the egg cartons instead of turning them. It seems the eggs don't get blood rings if I touch them less. I have a Little Giant incubator I"ve been using all spring and summer for hatching, now I can use it just as a hatcher. I'm taking the plunge into becoming a backyard hatchery. I've got my Red broilers, buff orpingtons, and americaunas/ easter eggers all seperated out now. I've got orders for Buff Orpingtons. I'm selling them for $2 each this first hatch, then the price will go up to $3. Later it may go up more if the demand is good. Only one feed store 10 miles out of town special orders chicks from Ideal. So I"m hoping that people will want my chicks. About a year or 2 ago it became legal to have 5 hens within the city limits, so I"m going to be hoping to recruit city dwellers to buy the chicks.
