I built an Incubator - TEST HATCH COMPLETE

[ThreeBoysChicks]

I built an incubator!! I must thank MissPrissy and SpeckledHen. It was their threads, which were so great that encouraged me to fall into this trap. There is no stopping me now.

MissPrissy - https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=8510
SpeckledHen - https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=43984

It did not take that much time to assemble once I had the parts. The wiring, which I was most concerned about was not hard at all. Again, great instructions. The hardest part in my mind was bending that hardware cloth which is sharp and frustrating.

I have been shopping for parts and pieces for the last couple of months.

Thermos Cooler - $2 at Yard sale.
PC Fan - Free from Friend
Fan Adaptor - Free from Co-Worker
Hardware Cloth - Already Had
Pie Pan for Bottom Water - $1 from Yard sale.
NightLight - Only thing I salvaged from one of those DOME Incubators (Never Hatched)
Hygrometer / Thermometer - Already Had
Light Ficture (Bottle Type) - $6.98 Home Depot
Hot Water Heater Thermostat - $8.57 at Home Depot
Plexiglass (1 on Ouside, 1 Inside) - $3.00 Ace Hardware

Still to purchase
Water Wiggler - Still searching for one.....
Corks

Total Cost as of now - $21.55

Cynthia - I am almost ready!!!!! How many eggs would you put in a cooler incubator this size?

 

[MissPrissy]

Nice job!!

 

[ThreeBoysChicks]

MissPrissy - I thought about you. I didn't have Pink Tape...

 

[speckledhen]

Well, you did it!

I'd say a dozen to 15 eggs laying on their sides would fit.One thing I did find is that I had to put some aluminum flashing as a deflector directly in front of the bulb or the eggs right there would get way too hot. The WH thermo, we tried, but never were satisfied with, though some people seem to have better luck with them. They have a wide swing, though you are looking for an avg internal egg temp.
What I would suggest is a dry run with just any eggs, which you'll toss later on. Dont have to be fertile, just need to be in there. Run it with your thermo/hygro inside for several days so you can work out any kinks and tweak it a bit. Put water in your pan and run it just like you would if the eggs were fertile. I find that there is sometimes alot of adjusting to do, but once you get everything set just right, it does okay. You can also calibrate your hygrometer and be sure the thermometer is accurate-those not reading properly are the cause of so many bad hatches.
Looks good, Ed. Let us know how the dry run goes!

 

[SterlingAcres]

Looks good!

 

[ThreeBoysChicks]

Quote:
I have the Metal shell that was the Power Supply box from the PC. That would work great, I think to shield the eggs just in front of the bulb. Thanks for the advice. I will definately do a dry run. I think I am going to start tomorrow. If they actually were to hatch, they would hatch the day after I leave for our mission trip to the Dominican Republic. My 12 year old will be here and my wife. Ben will do well to move them from the bator to the brooder, etc.

 

[tn.lou]

Looks great!! but what about that exposed hot terminal on the thermostat.Could be nasty

 

[Nathan]

Have people found that the $9 water heater thermostats are adequate/reliable enough for incubators? How do they hold temperature compared to the ones in Little Giant GQF, Or Brower?

 

[tn.lou]

Quote:
I have been using one for over a year with many sucessful hatches.Mine is in a bator made from an old fridge.

 

[WriterofWords]

Well I'm impressed, wtg! I use strictly a light bulb for heat in mine, no water heating or thermostat or anything like it. I like yours better, but mine works too!

Forgot to mention, mine was built by 6th graders for a class project lol! We'll do yours this time.