Incubator building help...

[GollyFluff]

I was looking at the different DIY incubator setups posted here. The kids just got DH a new cooler for the boat on Father's Day, so I have an old beat up one I'd like to make use of. It's a 94 quart capacity, though. Is this simply too big, or could it still work? Any modifications needed to make it work? Any and all suggestions, ideas, or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

[Julbrod]

BackYard Chickens › Coop Designs › Incubator Incubator


This is a large cooler incubator with very detailed instructions.

 

[GollyFluff]

Thanks so much for the response. I'm looking to do something like this, but on a larger scale. The cooler I have can hold 140 cans of soda with ice. Three of us can sit on it when fishing. Took a screenshot of dimensions from the igloo site. Didn't think to look up this info before. Any thoughts, anyone?

 

[apteryx]

Most of the DIY incubator set ups should work. My only thoughts are that you would definitely need two bulbs and a good fan to minimize any cool spots. I have seen folks on here that have made some fairly large cabinet incubators using variation of the light bulbs and fans used in coolerbators with good results.

 

[GollyFluff]

Thanks so much. My 14 year old son said the same. His thinking is two bulbs and two fans because we're going to start with only a dozen or two, and extra fans will help regulate heat throughout; better safe than sorry, with all the empty space. His theory seems sound to me. Just wanted someone else's take on it first.

 

[apteryx]

If you also put some bottles of water in there as well as heat-sinks it will help it maintain a stable temperature.

 

[GollyFluff]

Thanks for the tip. I remember hearing my great uncle mentioning the placement of wet bricks in his incubator to maintain both temp and humidity levels. I can understand that bricks absorb and then radiate heat. Maybe the same principle applies with water, but I've never heard of anyone else doing such. Any thoughts?

 

[apteryx]

I've heard of bricks and tile being used too. I think that the bricks your great uncle used served two purposes - they acted as a heat sink and helped with humidity. Water can also be used as a heat sink as it stores heat well. I would need to think back to high school physics to explain how it works. A couple if 1.25L soft drink bottles or mason jars full of water with the lids on work well. These are used in addition to any water dishes you use to help maintain humidity at the right level. For that purpose surface area is more important than volume.

 

[GollyFluff]

No, please, no physics! I'll be cross-eyed before I'm done reading the explanation! Thanks so much for the replies, y'all. It's a beautiful morning here. Hope y'all are enjoying the same.

 

[apteryx]

Great morning here too! It has finally stopped raining and the sun is out for the first time in almost a week. And the temperature is great for this time of year, although some of the people I work with think it is a little cold!!