It amazes me that the heat from the bulbs doesn't melt the plastic. Do you have a fan installed?I'm not doing a good job of describing it, LOL! .... I love the old wood cabinets! However, I just can't justify getting one, I don't expect I'll be continuously hatching - but there's a Thermometer Corp of America (Springfield OH) cabinet not too far from me, for $125... needs a cleaning, but looks good otherwise.... very tempting! Yes, the cartons have been cut down - the bottoms were carved out for better air flow. I learned that here on BYC! Since my turner is home made, using the cartons seemed to be the simplest method for a cradle. When I build the cooler-bator, I'll try to get a real crate for it. Here is a photo of my bator. The thermometer on the left is resting up against the arm of the turner, so the carton is very close to the wall. On the right, you can see the small water well, with sponges resting in it and the red straw is an aquarium tube with a small funnel at the top. In between the two cartons, rests one row of a carton for the extra eggs the seller sent, and a digital gauge sitting on top.This is what it looks like from above, prior to adding the eggs and the water well. I don't know if you can tell the bottoms have been removed...
That's awesome! My theory is that as long as it holds a steady temp, has good venting, and humidity is controlled properly, you can hatch in it...lolYes, there's a fan - you can't hardly make it out, but it's mounted right between the bulbs, the little black rectangle in the pic....
Yes, I was worried about the lights being too hot, but during testing I kept a close eye and constantly checked for hot spots on or near the top. It did get warm, but not near warm enough to melt. If they were the old incandescent bulbs, it would be a different story. I ended up swapping the left bulb to a 40w, the other is still a 100w (equivalent). I also ended up foil wrapping the (100w) bulb that's closest to the thermostat to give the eggs a little protection from possible radiant heat.
I like that it's see-through, but I was worried about heat retention. However, it does really good. Temp and humidity are much more stable than I would've thought. I set it in the living room, away from drafty areas or windows.
I can't wait to start on the cooler I just gotMaybe in the spring I can hatch some eggs for other people
Last night I candled one of the dark shelled eggs, one that I couldn't see through before - it's alive! I could see the embryo pulsing around in thereI was too nervous to candle any others! I'm afraid they'll die!
Some people also use melted candle wax on smaller cracks. I thought you were doing Ameraucanas not Araucanas??LOL, that is hilarious!I am sooo tempted to candle, believe me! I don't know for certain what I did the first candling that messed up my temps, I think I messed up the foil baffle over the light.... but that's another reason I'm hesitant to get in there, everything's reading about perfect right now..... The next ten days are going to take FOREVER!.... I can't believe the tape worked, wow, that's cool... I have to remember these things!
I have company coming from out of state in a couple days and I've been trying to get the house cleaned up, but I can't stop hovering over that thing long enough to get stuff done!
LOL You want unusual you gotta get into the naked necks and the showgirls or the frizzles and Polish! lol
