So I have 6 fertile eggs arriving tomorrow. I was going to put them under my broody chicken -- replacing what I thought were dead eggs. Now one has pipped -- and I'm so excited about it! -- but I don't want to lose these new eggs. I've never even researched an incubator, because I thought the hen would do all the work. Now I need one pretty quickly. Any advice on which I should get, and where? Thanks.
Hi! TSC has one, not sure of the brand, but is about $40. I think i've heard good and bad on the model. I made one based on MissPrissy's Chick Bator, took me less than 2 hours, cost about $15 and had a 95% hatch. Here are the directions. https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=8510 Good luck!!!
If I were you I would take the chicks from the hen when ready and put the chicks in a brooder far away from the hen. then I would give her the eggs you just bought. Chickens can't count and she'll happily sit another 3 weeks.
Hi Shrader! Congratulations! I'm glad some of the Meyer eggs are hatching! Did your second broody hen not stay broody? Or has she already got eggs too? You could take the chicks as they hatch and brood them yourself and give the hen the new Am' eggs (they should be arrive today). There are lots of instructions for building an incubator on line or check Tractor Supply (or whatever the equivalent is out there) to see what they have in stock. Little Giant is the brand they carry here. Good luck! Lisa
Do a search for slow cooker. I read a post where she took one and turned it into an incubator. Many replies where that this is the way they used to do it........... Edited to add comment............On second thought I think it was electric skillet. Check for both.
I have the electric skillet post. The link is in my sig. I lost all of mine for some reason but, they had all developed and were growing. Like many with reg bators, something went wrong. Good luck.