Homemade Incubator

[GlitterKitty]

I have lots of questions! First off, I have a styrofoam cooler and I wanna make an incubator! I don't really care for something large cause my mom wont let me hatch to many eggs...
But:
1. What does the temp in there need to be?
2. Humidity? And how do you get that?
3. What goes in the incubator?
4. Do I just use a heat lamp?
5. Um.., yeah I really don't know anything...is there anything else I should know?
6.! What should I use as the top and how do I go in lockdown?
7. What is lockdown?
8. How often do I turn the eggs a day?
9. And when I turn them, do I flip them over..err...?

Thanks for any answers!

 

[clothdiaperingmom]

I cant help with all your questions, but someone will come along that can.

1. If still air 101, if has a fan 99.5.
2. Humidity can be obtained by putting wet sponges in there, fine misting.
3. Water chambers, wire floor, eggs, thermometer, hygrometer.
4. Wondered the same thing as they can get pretty hot.
5. You can always learn more. Do a search on here for more info on incubating and homemade incubators.
6. If using a cooler, how bout the top of it? Can cut out a spot to put plexiglass or other clear window to see through.
7. Lockdown is the last 3-4 days before hatching. You stop turning the eggs, you up the humidity, youre not supposed to open the bator at all.
8. An odd # of times a day so that they dont spend the night on the same side every night. (3-5 times a day)
9. Use a pencil, put a O on 1 side, and X on other side. Turn from the x to the o each time you turn. X, O helps you keep track of which ones have been turned already. If Im not using a turner, I just gently roll them.

There is a thread on here about using a toaster oven as an incubator. You can often find those at goodwill if you dont have one and want to try it.

Good luck!