Homemade Peafowl Hatcher (Pics galore)

[frenchblackcopper]

Next is the heating element which is 250 watts. If it's not enough I can easily add another heat source using a wafer thermostat to get temps in the mid nineties before shutting off and then this element won't have too much work to do by itself. This sized element is used on all sportsman incubators which are pretty close in size to mine,maybe a little smaller. You can also see a white PVC pipe across the width and about a foot up,This will be for mounting my heat-rh sensor on and my remote transmitter that send the temp and humidity readings to the digital desktop display so I can see whats going on inside this contraption without going out in the garage to look

 

[frenchblackcopper]

Next it is being able to see inside without opening doors so I located these two pieces of tempered glass.

 

[frenchblackcopper]

Here you can see I've outlined each piece of glass. The glass will sit on top but will be smooth across the top so it's thickness must be removed so it fits flush with the top of the plywood. I'm hoping that 3/4" all around each piece of glass will work to hold each piece up,thus the outine within the bigger outline.Each piece of glass is about 12"x20"

 

[frenchblackcopper]

Here the first cuts are done and the centers are knocked out.Now I need to cut the outside set of lines at a depth of 1/4" so the glass sits flush with the top.Some may need to be taken out with a wood chisel since a circular saw doesn't do square corners too well. I then plan to use the lite rope to attach to the bottom side starting between both pieces of glass then around the entire edges of this plywood top. The plywood strip between each piece of glass may block some compartments but not completely since the width is only 6".

 

[frenchblackcopper]

Between my puter giving me issues and not being able to upload pics here tonight was the first time I actually started everything on this project. Temp holds good at 100 degrees and humidity comes up to 55% within about 2 minutes time. I have all the electronics figured out and all seems to work fine. I want to add legs to this so it's about 4' off the floor measured at the top of the cabinet. I'm going to stain and clear this yet before this weekend,as I'm overflowing my Humidaire and this weeks hatch was a nightmare keeping all diffrent chicks seperated until they could be marked.The Zoo Med controller works easily and setting it up is a breeze.I had more issues getting the computer power box set up and operating the 6 fans than anything else.

 

[zazouse]

What is the temp running in the bottom part?

 

[frenchblackcopper]

Zaz,last nite I had the temp set on 101 and had 2 thermometers in the top drawer that has the compartments and it was holding steady at 100.2 degrees Beneath the two drawers is where the fans and heating element is and since the air is being blown all over inside the box so the bottom should be close to 100 degrees as well. I need to get some pics but want to add legs and then stain and clear it so it's done. On the left side I have a door where the power supply is,and the humidity pump and all electrical connections,ect. I will try to get some pics tonight of it before I stain and clear it.

 

[annabell254]

cool!!!!!!!

 

[zazouse]

Zaz,last nite I had the temp set on 101 and had 2 thermometers in the top drawer that has the compartments and it was holding steady at 100.2 degrees Beneath the two drawers is where the fans and heating element is and since the air is being blown all over inside the box so the bottom should be close to 100 degrees as well. I need to get some pics but want to add legs and then stain and clear it so it's done. On the left side I have a door where the power supply is,and the humidity pump and all electrical connections,ect. I will try to get some pics tonight of it before I stain and clear it.

That's good.. my hatcher is set for 100.5 and I got 99 /100 in the bottom.

You might want to think about putting locking casters on your Inc, it is well built and it is heavey, I wished I had them on mine but I have mine sitting on a platform on wheels so I could move it out for cleaning, just sayen

 

[frenchblackcopper]

Zaz,yes I had considered putting castor wheels on the legs for easy rolling-moving.I don't know how heavy it is as I've been building it on a cart that has wheels and I can move it around the garage. As always I'm under the gun to complete this project because now my Humidaire is overstuffed and eggs collected this week have no place to go. I think my hens are slacking off and ending their first clutch but that will change again probably towards the end of this week.