Help!! What do I do? My 2nd incubator has not shipped yet. UGH!!

If I had no other means, I'd get a decent size cardboard box(18"wx18"hx30"l +/-) and line it w/aluminum foil. put a decent size pan w/water on the bottom and whatever you have to use as a screen for now(cooking rack/oven rack...., anything for now) to place the eggs on. Hang a light or even squeeze a small lamp with a 40 watt bulb in the box(just don't cause fire hazard). Hang a thermometer at top egg level. Make a top for the box a little larger than the box so you can just rest it on top, covering box. Make top with large piece of cardboard and wrap/tape with aluminum foil. The inside of the box will now be completely reflective for more even heat distribution and temp adjustments can be stabilized up or down(a lot), by using higher or lower wattage bulbs, and fine adjusting by poking air holes in the sides of box for fresh air, and by sliding the top slightly opened or closed to release/increase heat capture. Anyway, that's how I pretty much incubate my eggs.

Or if you just use box for holding the chicks, the set-up is that much simpler. As far as putting a light in the box, by using cardboard, it gives you more options as to where you want to run the electric cord through(poke a hole and go!), or just run cord over the top under the lid. If you need to see your eggs(of course you do!), cut out a square in the lid and tape a plastic window there or even just wrap that section of the top with saran wrap!

Just get your temp right, don't worry so much on the humidity(as long as your water is in the pan), I never increased last 3 days and believe all those wet chicks coming out will raise the humidity sufficiently in itself!

Sounds crude, but it will work, and it is about as cheap an incubating system that money can buy..... So for those who want to hatch and can't afford an incubator, here's your chance to hatch, and it feels good knowing you've done everything yourself and with everyday household items!

 

Rud, that is almost exactly how I start my eggs at times. I also put them in the bathroom where it is really warm. I put them in a cardboard box with aluminum foil on the bottom, add a heat lamp and thermometer and adjust the heat lamp to the proper hieght for temp. I then cover it with a couple towels and hope my eggs hatch in time to get the new ones in the incubator. It has worked for me so far and my neighbor.

 

Do you have a TSC nearby? I bought a LG there last week for $41.

 

Then you will have 3. My hubby would have a heart attack if he caught me with 3 incubators. But if I did have them they would all be being used.

 

Quote:I thought the same thing about mine. For some reason, he is just NOT an animal lover.

But after I built my cooler incubator last week and he saw the embryos when I candled the eggs, he's been on the lookout for another cooler...and he's talking about geese!

 

i have 4 in use right now and still no room!!

 

Steff...

It's time to get a Dickey or a Sportsman.

We all know you want to.....