I need help getting started with an incubator.

[australorp_breeder]

I just decided about fifteen minutes ago that I'd like to incubate chicks for the first time. lol! I've raised chicks before, but I've let their mothers hatch them. I don't have an incubator yet, which brings me to posting this. I'll post below what I'm looking for in an incubator.

Looking for:

* either homemade or made under $60
* holds between 10 and 20 eggs.
* reliable? Yes/No (Is this one you've tried?)

If it's homemade, I made a little chart. If you could please fill it out to the best of your knowledge I would greatly appreciate it!

Materials (list price here):

example - 60 watt lightbulb ($8)
aluminum foil ($3)
thermometer ($2)
etc.

Assembly Instructions:

1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
etc.

Please help me get started! Just for head's up I might PM you with incubating instructions considering the incubator(s) you mention. Sorry if this is confusing!

 

[seminolewind]

Hi, under Speckledhen's posts, she has a link to make a homemade bator. Take a look

 

[RHewittJr]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/chicken-coop-incubator.html

Go here and get all the info you need.

 

[seminolewind]

Wow, I didn't even know that page existed!

 

[australorp_breeder]

lol!

 

[seminolewind]

IMHO Australorp, I might just start out with an already made bator, it might be easier to get a good hatch that way for your first few hatches. If anyone disagrees, please do tell, I am all for being educated

 

[australorp_breeder]

Thank you for your opinion, I appreciate it! I'm thinking of getting a simple small 8 egg incubator for $18, but someone told me I shouldn't because the cheaper ones might not work?

 

[seminolewind]

Those little bators have alot more temp and humidity fluxuation. You might just want to spend the 50 bucks and get a still air no egg turner bator out of styrofoam. I myself
would not want to wait 21 days only to find out that I shoulda...woulda...coulda...

BTW, what are the differences between your JG's and your australorps?

 

[paddock36]

I made my own from an old Coleman cooler (the hard plastic type) -free,
a hot water heater thermostat - $8.00 at Lowes
a light kit - $5.00 at Walmart
a small computer fan - free
some sponges - $1.00 at the Dollar Tree (to put in the bowl at the bottom for humidity)
a small plastic tray for water and the sponges (had lying around in the house- from leftover Chinese food)
a piece of hardware cloth to make a shelf to put the eggs on - It was left over from something else.
Oh, and a 8x10 piece of glass from an old picture from so I could see through the top of the incubater.
I also purchased a Digital thermometer/hydrometer for $6.00 to keep track of the humidity.

I have had a lot of fun and have had some great hatches. My last hatch was actually 100% except for two eggs that were cracked when I got them. For me it was cheaper than buying a store incubator.

 

[australorp_breeder]

Quote:
Do you mean how to distinguish between the two? Jersey Giants have yellow on the bottom of their feet, and Australorps have either white or pink. Standardly, Jersey Giants are suppose to get bigger then Australorps. I believe a mature Jersey Giant rooster gets up to 13 pounds, a hen 10 pound. For an Australorp, a mature rooster 10 pounds, and a hen 8 pounds. I hope that's what you meant... Sorry if I got that wrong.

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Oh wow, thank you! How many clutches of chicks have you hatching using the one you made?