Homemade incubator

[Poultry Place]

Hello, I am lookig to turn a mini fridge into an incubator it measures 3 feet tall and just under 2 feet wide. How do you size a heating element? And what are some things you wish you would have added or would like to change with your incubator?

 

[Welshies]

The best thing I have found for heat is different bulbs. I currently have a 25 watt bulb in my DIY bator. For you I'd use 3 or 4 light bulbs. Start at 25 watts and increase wattage if it doesn't stabilize out to the correct temp when you test it.
Use a fan in your bator. Even office fans that are $12.99 work. Noisy, but they work. Always test your bator for 24 hours and make necessary adjustments, then test again before starting the incubation process.
I wish I had added a thermostat. I just built my bator, but a thermostat would help and really enhance my hatch rates. However I did not want to fork out $30 on something that costed less than $40 to make, and I wasn't comfortable with doing my own wiring.

 

[Poultry Place]

The best thing I have found for heat is different bulbs. I currently have a 25 watt bulb in my DIY bator. For you I'd use 3 or 4 light bulbs. Start at 25 watts and increase wattage if it doesn't stabilize out to the correct temp when you test it.
Use a fan in your bator. Even office fans that are $12.99 work. Noisy, but they work. Always test your bator for 24 hours and make necessary adjustments, then test again before starting the incubation process.
I wish I had added a thermostat. I just built my bator, but a thermostat would help and really enhance my hatch rates. However I did not want to fork out $30 on something that costed less than $40 to make, and I wasn't comfortable with doing my own wiring.

Thanks, I think I will start out for now with light bulbs but I will eventually upgrade to a heat element. I do have a computer fan but do you think one is enough? Just so you know you can buy a good thermostat for under 20 dollars.

 

[Welshies]

Thanks, I think I will start out for now with light bulbs but I will eventually upgrade to a heat element. I do have a computer fan but do you think one is enough? Just so you know you can buy a good thermostat for under 20 dollars.

I am not comfortable with wiring a thermostat, as stated.
I use one lamp but for your size bator I'd suggest 2 to 4.