Here are the pics of the bator I put together from a scrap incubator, added a CPU fan and waterer for humidity so I don't need to open it unless I am candling. Suggestion/commen!ts welcomed! This is my first bator so go gentle on me! I ended up getting a bator with turner from craigslist but with duck and chick eggs I needed a hatcher due to different due dates. Of course it can be used as a bator, but it will be used as a hatcher.
The 6th pic of the wires from the CPU fan (free from neighbor but can get one on amazon for around $7.00) and I ran it through a very small syringe and cut the tip on the inside as it was sticking out too much. Scissors cut right thru it. The automatic water if you look at the pics show two sponges (new of course) screwed lightly to the inside wall with a small slit made thru the wall of the bator using a flat screwdriver to push a 100% cotton tshirt of my toddlers thru it and then trapped between the sponges and the wall of the bator and then thru the slit and into a water bottle. This way the lid does not need to be opened to refill. I tried various wicking materials and this was by far the best. Just a plain ole tshirt made by Hanes! lol Other than that the hardware cloth and styrofoam bottom was out of a junky bator. I also moved the thermostat and heating element over to the styrofoam cooler. I could have used the original bator if I ordered a replacement top, but I had a very large and thick lab type cooler and this way I can place more eggs than in the original. Now to make a removable turner for use as a bator and removable as a hatcher. I tested this last night and it worked great!!!! Even my original one with a cheap heating pad worked like a charm, but I wanted the original heating element and thermostat. Comments and suggestions welcomed as I will be moving eggs to hatch in it next week!
The 6th pic of the wires from the CPU fan (free from neighbor but can get one on amazon for around $7.00) and I ran it through a very small syringe and cut the tip on the inside as it was sticking out too much. Scissors cut right thru it. The automatic water if you look at the pics show two sponges (new of course) screwed lightly to the inside wall with a small slit made thru the wall of the bator using a flat screwdriver to push a 100% cotton tshirt of my toddlers thru it and then trapped between the sponges and the wall of the bator and then thru the slit and into a water bottle. This way the lid does not need to be opened to refill. I tried various wicking materials and this was by far the best. Just a plain ole tshirt made by Hanes! lol Other than that the hardware cloth and styrofoam bottom was out of a junky bator. I also moved the thermostat and heating element over to the styrofoam cooler. I could have used the original bator if I ordered a replacement top, but I had a very large and thick lab type cooler and this way I can place more eggs than in the original. Now to make a removable turner for use as a bator and removable as a hatcher. I tested this last night and it worked great!!!! Even my original one with a cheap heating pad worked like a charm, but I wanted the original heating element and thermostat. Comments and suggestions welcomed as I will be moving eggs to hatch in it next week!
Last edited:
