Ok, still working on adding more runners. I am about to accept a job offer for a preschool teacher. I am NOT buying an incubator. But is there a way to incubate eggs in a homemade incubator? If so, point me in directions to get info. I'll bring it up with the lead teacher and see if I can do some science that way and then, oh, look, a few runner ducks need homes, why don't I bring a couple home! Oh, crafty I am lol I'd need to make sure I have homes lined up first though before we do it.
If you receive the byc newsletter by email they usually have a link up to the best made homemade incubators in contests on byc, and can easily be found by searching this site. tons of both good and bad examples. for just hatching runners, you could find out what discounts the schools get for ordering items for classroom use and get a small 5 or so egg incubator or a $40 lg incubator with a CPU fan installed, which isn't recommended but would be a cheap bator and works.
I made mine out of a Omaha Steak styrofoam cooler. I found the instructions on this site. Another good place to get a nice thick cooler for free is Wal-Mart. Ask for the cooler that they get the night crawlers in. They normally throw them away
Quote:Get 1 or 2 silkie hens they love to sit on eggs they will aso do the raising brooding job cant beat that
Give me a shout when you are all set up and ready. I will donate eggs for your class project. After all, its all for the kids, who wouldnt want them to be able to see baby ducks being born You will be a GREAT teacher and if you have to rehome some ducks to your back yard then hopefully you will get black, blue and some other colours even a Pekin duck too. Holler my way, OK!
We used a homemade stryofoam one from a cheap cooler as well. trick is to put the thermomoter close to the bulb to minimize temp fluxiations. Kids loved it, we did 12 eggs, 6 hatched and all went home with me.
Quote:Maybe someone else may be kind enough to lend you an incubator for a month. Home made ones can be a bit hit and miss with the hatch rates- and it might be sad for the kids if only a small percentage hatch- I know its still a possibility anyway...and kids need to learn the facts of how harsh life can be...but still it would be better to give the eggs the best chance you can. You can buy some very cheap incubators - maybe looking into holding a raffle or cake staff to fund the purchase of an incubator is something you could think about.
you might also check the highschool ag department in your district and see if they have and incubator. I'm using a sportsman 5200 at the moment from there.
you could put them in a box with a light and make shure its 99 an half degrees and turn them three times a day.
Quote:It wouldn't work unless it was an insulated container with styrofoam or other material to control temperature fluctuations and would need to be able to withstand not burning up the light bulb and causing a fire hazard. Also would need to be able to hold a certain humidity to prevent too much moisture loss in the egg.
