Homemade Mini Frig Incubator

Speckledhen has and heres the link
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=43984

 

I have a ft of 10in flexwatt if you need it. Otherwise you can get it at www.beanfarm.com or at bigappleherp.com
which thermostat are you refering to? a on off type thermostat or a proportional one? They can be pretty expensive running up tp 150$

 

I know this is late - hopefully it will help someone.

The sites you are looking at are geared towards incubating reptile eggs. Reptile egg incubation can range from 76F - 95F over the course of 3 to 9 months! Most reptile breeders don't blink at the proportional thermostat prices - in fact they often run 2 for security - but the hatchlings often bring in prices of over $1000 each, depending on the species and/or color mutation.

Flexxwatt can maintain temps needed to incubate chicken eggs with no problem. I have a large homemade incubator that I am planning on using for chicken eggs while there is a lull in our reptile egg production.

Since I am a chicken newbie, I am hoping our experience with hatching reptile eggs will put me ahead of the learning curve. At least with chicken eggs I won't have to worry about getting 100% humidity wile keeping the eggs dry!

 

Quote:Thanks for the info. But my interest is mainly about the flexwatt tape. I've seen it's use for primarily reptile incubation use or cage heaters, but any & all info I was able to find on flexwatt heat tape it's hightest "rated" heat use was for 95degrees..... & chicken incubation needs 100degrees.... So is that "safe" to use it at 5degrees higher than what the manufacturer recommends? Safely I mean.

 

I have the same question, is it safe at 100 degree?

 

I've used flexwatt at 99-100 degrees and had it be eminently reliable. It's also really nice in that a bird can snuggle up to the tile I put over the heat tape and never be burned. They love leaning on the walls.

I used flex watt in my second homemade bator - a metal cooler. It worked pretty well but because the cooler was metal had trouble reheating if it cooled too far and I had to add a light/heat source.

Then I built a mini frig bator and I love it. I'll be putting flex watt in it as well, right now it's heated by under cabinet puck lights and works like a charm but I'd rather use the flex watt.

You would LOVE a mini-frig or wine cooler bator, the extra insulation is a huge bonus, the space is lovely.

My second hatch in this bator is running great. On time, on temps. It just rocks. This will be the keeper I modify until I get the Dickey.

 

I used it and had NO problems with it. Remember several things. It has to be mounted with heat safe materials - like the good marine expoxy puttys, or pure silicone, it should be UNDER tile or glass, not exposed where it can be touched. It needs to be sealed away from chick parts.

I have never had a problem with it. But the use is "off label" and YOU are the part manufacturer and only your skill determines if it's put together right.

I really like it. I plan on using it again. I find, rigged properly that I really like it and the chicks like it, which you can't say about a lot of heat sources...

Mine is rigged currently under tile. Which provides my heat sink as well as an easily cleaned surface.

As to the guy with spare 10 INCH - I'd love to have it if it's still available.

 

I am trying to understand this. What is wrong with using an incubator heating coil and thermostat. It sounds to me like putting lawn mower parts on your washing machine.