incubator building issues

[chickenlover237]

ok... so I had a plastic storage bin with a locking top. I put a towel in the bottom, a 120V lamp in it and a thermometer. I have it running all day from 10:30 AM to 9:45 PM I had to turn it off because my mom comes in my room and flips. saying "its a fire hazzard!" I said "daddy already looked at it and said it was fine" she says "well daddy must have been half asleep! Turn it off!" I honestly think she was the one half asleep because my dad was wide awake, he told me that it was a bad idea to have the blanket over the box (because I was trying to see if that would raise the temp) and I needed to get it farther away from my sentsy warmer. so any ideas on a way I could make an incubator (with the things I have) and my mom NOT freak? thanks
also the incubators temp had stayed a stable temp all day (95 all day) so just about perfect never went above 100 or below 92.

 

[Arielle]

Good try. Welcome to the world of building.

A few obserations.
Incubator will have to hold 100 with no fluctuations. THose that use a fish tank end up insulating the glass. YOu many need to do this too. About the cover, can you use the original without locking it? THe clothe over the top could fall in onto the light bulb. Safety first.lol

 

[kellyn]

Wow... that sounds like something my mom would say. I have extention cords in every plug in my wall with several plugs a piece. How's THAT for fire hazard~ and I have a bunch of home made incubators, fans, etc. And 2 chick-lights.

And about your container; tell your mom to bug off. That will NOT caue a fire. If it would, i'd already be in the fiery pits of hell~ your incubator is totally safe, i'd say. Your issue is insulating your container. I say put some blackets around it.

When I was in the beginning of 4th grade, I hatched a chick in a milk crate on my dresser under a heat light. I had like 15 eggs total, so I guess it wasn't too bad. They were on an old shirt or towel. It was a while back so I can't quiiiite remember.

Quesions: what wattage light bulb are you using? How big is your container? How many chicks do ya wanna hatch?

Lots of things to consider. I wish you luck! And I suggest keeping your room at a constant temperature. 70* is perfect.

 

[kellyn]

Have you tried to google "how to build an incubator with a storage bin"? I'm sure something'll come up.

Here's a link:
http://www.ehow.com/how_6224158_hatch-chicken-eggs-home-incubator.html

If it doesn't suit what you have, use a cardboard box. There's lotsa ppl who use them.

 

[mayberrygirl]

First off please do not tell your mom to bug off, as a mom I can tell you how disrespectful that is and will lead to more trouble then it is worth. Now, I can tell you I am a safety freak myself and have successfully done many a brooder out of a plastic tote. The melting point of most plastic totes/tubs found in say Walmart have a melting point of 210-360*, if your getting that hot you are cooking eggs anyway not incubating them. I will be making a plastic tote incubator in a few days myself. I have searched YouTube and found them to be popular in other countries where as here in the US we seem to be fixed on coolers, both plastic and styrofoam (which can be hard to find this time of year). I would think the totes would last longer as it is going to be way easier to clean out then styrofoam.

 

[quintinp]

First off please do not tell your mom to bug off, as a mom I can tell you how disrespectful that is and will lead to more trouble then it is worth. Now, I can tell you I am a safety freak myself and have successfully done many a brooder out of a plastic tote. The melting point of most plastic totes/tubs found in say Walmart have a melting point of 210-360*, if your getting that hot you are cooking eggs anyway not incubating them. I will be making a plastic tote incubator in a few days myself. I have searched YouTube and found them to be popular in other countries where as here in the US we seem to be fixed on coolers, both plastic and styrofoam (which can be hard to find this time of year). I would think the totes would last longer as it is going to be way easier to clean out then styrofoam.

X's a million

DO NOT TELL YOUR MOTHER TO "BUG OFF"

I have a little suggestion for you though. If your mother is that worried, if would be a LOT easier to try and convince her to let you make an incubator, if it is something that WILL NOT catch fire.

1.) I suggest getting a glass aquarium.
2.) Place the heat source in the glass aquarium (in your case, place the light so that it is just hanging, and can be lowered to adjust temperature)
3.) Get shelf liner to line the bottom of the aquarium, (it is rubber, and will not be a fire hazard, as it will melt when exposed to extreme temps)
4.) I would get a small metal pan to hold water for moisture.
5.) As for covering the top, I would either find a small sheet of styro foam.

Wa lla You have made an incubator that will hatch chicks under the right conditions, and will last you for years.

 

[chickenlover237]

OMG!!!! thank all of you!!!!

my dad talked to me just a few min ago and said "well I didn't want chickens at all, but I suppose now we have no choice scince you have already told every one that you are going to have them and because your nana keeps calling to tell us we need to come get the eggs" so he just said to take a cardboard box, get a shop light and do it that way. I am not so sure that its going to work becasue he tells me that I cant have it in the house either unless its snowing but maybe, MAYBE. I can convince him that they need to be inside

 

[ChicksinPR]

did you ever build the plastic tot eincubator

 

[chickenlover237]

we ended up using a plastic storage box but only one egg made it full term both times we tried but then we bought 5 chicks and two of those died a few days ago. and about 2 weeks ago we got 6 more chicks so now we have a total of 9 chickens, 1 barred rock, 2 RIR's, 2 light brahamas, 2 black giants, and 2 game chickens. I love my babies and it seems I have 3 boys, one from each of the younger six breeds 1 brahama boy, 1 black boy, and 1 game boy. so I can breed them true instead of having mixes with the 6.

 

[chickenlover237]

oh and my nana bought me a little giant still air incubator. so we are going to try hatching again soon, just gotta finish the school year first!