GopherBoy Builds an incubator

[Poulets De Cajun]

MAN THIS KEEPS GETTING BETTER AND BETTER!!!

I am so going to Home Depot tomorrow!!! LOL LOL


I wonder if there is a way to make TWO viewing windows. One on the top cover, and one on the front side.... or simply just move the window to the front side and not put on on top...

 

[GopherBoyFarms]

9. put tubing w/ water bottle attached through hole in cooler, then through hole in wire into pan for auto water

10. Cut out bottom of wooden box that fits in cooler

11. cut piece of wire and staple to bottom of box

12. attach ½ inch plastic clamps to bottom of box

13. set box on wire with plastic pipe clamps lined up with the predrilled holes

14. slide pipe through one side of cooler then threw both pipe clamps, then threw hole on other side of cooler

 

[GopherBoyFarms]

15. Cut pipe to ¾ inch on both sides of cool for handles for externally turning the eggs.

16. Install couplings on each end of pipe to keep pipe from slipping, back and forth and to use as handles when turning eggs.

17. Screw box to handle inside

18. take an egg carton that fits in box and cut holes in bottom

19. place egg carton in box

now take a break..electrical stuff coming up.

update.....we finished it and there are eggs in it........the temps are holding and have been at 100 air temp, and 99 in wiggler with 50% humidity ...............I took the rest of the pics and will finish the step by step later.

 

[GopherBoyFarms]

20. cut spacers in tubing (or use nuts for spacers) to keep PC fan and thermostat away from wall

sorry dark picture


21. Screw PC fan to wall

22. wire PC fan, light, and thermostat
PLUG/LIGHT/THERMOSTAT:
*from the plug take the neutral (ribbed) wire to #1 screw on the thermostat
* run a short wire from #2 srew on thermostat to the silver screw on the light
* The other plug wire goes to the gold screw on the light.
PC FAN:
*cut the end of a 12volt transformer off, and wire that to the black and red wire of the PC fan, disregaurd the yellow wire.
(if youplug it in and the fan doesnt turn then switch the wires around)

23. Install thermostat using spacers and screws to wall
24. Install light

25. Cut the bottom off 2 pill bottles (with lids) and slide into holes for air vents
(these work great so you can just unscrew the lids if you need to)

a grinder was used to cut the bottoms of the pill bottles off

 

[GopherBoyFarms]

26. place probe from thermometer/hydrometer inside wiggler toy (couldn’t find a water wiggler so we found something like it , stuck probe way down into it with out breaking it and then put rubber bands around the end)
27. sit wiggler toy on egg holder
28. put 2nd thermometer on wire
29. fill pan with water
30. adjust thermostat

31. fill 4-5 baby food jars with warm water put on lids and place on wire
32. plug in, close lid


Now it's panic time. Since the eggs went in last night....the temps have stayed pretty good, but really I dont even know what they are supposed to be to be PERFECT. and the humidity seems to be a little high. If anyone knows for sure what it is supposed to be.....thanks

 

[Chicabee19]

omg. What an amazing thing. I think I am going to have to put holes in mine and make a turner like that!

Can you say what the difference is between the little fan and without? (mine does not have one)

 

[Chicabee19]

31. fill 4-5 baby food jars with warm water put on lids and place on wire

what are these for?​

 

[GopherBoyFarms]

chickabee19:
I dont know the difference in the fan or with out all accept the air is circulated, and I have read that is better for a higher hatch rate.

The jars of water are to keep the temps level. They seem to be working great.
Plus I read on here someplace that it was a good idea, LMAO!

I am trying anything I can that I have read more then once to get the best outcome possible.

I have been waiting so long to have this up and running (well DH put it together in an evening) now I have to leave the house just to keep myself out of the spare room where it is!

 

[Buckaroo]

awesome project, makes me want start one.

 

[ozzie]

Hi Lance

May want to think about re-rigging the hot water thermostat as per this post (https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=89521) if you find it hard to regulate temps. WindyOaks explains why the temps regulate better with the metal electrical box attached to the thermostat. Other than that it's a great incubator! Fingers crossed for a good hatch - gonna be a long 21 days

ozzie