Hatching unit complete with great results * pictures added 9/4/08'

[injunjoe]

I have a incubator made from a cooler. It seems to work ok, not great but, that is another thing.

My question is what is the idea behind a hatcher?

I have eggs from dif. people coming at dif. times so I want a place to put the hatching eggs into for there last few days of incubation.

What I read is that they need more humidity towards the hatch period.

I went to find a cooler at the goodwill and such to no avail. So I thought how about an old fish tank with a insulating cover.

Any help? I have got a shell around the tank going on.
I want it to have a drawer(the opening of tank in the front not top) to open to access eggs or better yet chicks. I think at the bottom rather then the top will hold both temp. and Hum.

Should my hatching unit have fanforced air or still?

Any ideas welcome and thank you for your input!

 

[rooster-red]

Build the hatcher just like you build the bator.

I'd rather have forced air for more even temps.

The fish tank, even with insulating cover won't hold temps as wel as a cooler, might try to find an old mini fridge, Speckledhen has one that works well.

 

[injunjoe]

Quote:
Thank you, I thought the fan would be best but was not sure.

The tank is going into what is just about a cooler but thicker. The panels I am using are 2" thick and sealing with Tryvec house wrap tape. It will be like a 5 day cooler when finished. The tank will just slide into it for easy cleaning and another layer of dead air space (the very best insulator).

Being the opening of the actual tank is in the front I want the drawer to open at the bottom to keep the heat in.
Being on the side it will be easy to add the top observation window, with a double layer of glass.

I can't wait for some of this glue to dry!
Pics soon! Clamps everywere now!

 

[chickenfanatic]

sounds like it just mite work from your more thorough description. good luck on your build and let us know what happens and yes pics would be nice hehehe.

 

[needmorechickens!]

yes, yes we must have pics....sounds very interesting!

~Rebecca

 

[injunjoe]

Ok had some time to work on it today so here is a few pictures of it so far.

 

[Goat_Walker]

Thats a really cool idea! This is my first time hatching, nd im letting my duck do it naturally, lol, but im going to have to try that next time!

 

[injunjoe]

Thank you!
Here is a picture of the thermostat I am going to be using.

So far I have $2.97 for tape and $17.85 into the making of this hatcher.
I had the fish tank and the insulation is left over from a garage door job.

 

[Just-Like-Hatching]

I didn't notice any ventilation holes. You have to have fresh air coming in or the eggs will suffocate.

 

[injunjoe]

Quote:
Thank you. It will have vents, fan, and a camera built into it.
I will post more pictures as I find time to finish it up.