Incubator Design Process

[BantyChooks]

Well, apparently even when living in the middle of a city I can't stay away from chickens. I'm in the middle of the design process for a new incubator, and I'll document it here, along with perhaps a few CAD models. I'll be hatching geese, ducks, and chickens, the first of which will be entirely new for me. They will be going to a new home immediately after they hatch, but I'll be able to document and optimise the process which really is the fun part.

 

[BantyChooks]

Originally was going to use this bin as an incubator body but since it needs to fit 20-40 goose eggs I'll be looking for a substitute.

 

[Island Coppers]

BantyChooks,​

I built a small incubator, it was a learning experience. Two things you might consider. If you start with something that has a hinged door, like a wine cooler or a mini refrigerator, and they already have some insulation, it will make a nice solid unit. And when you select the temperature control device find one that is sensitive to less than half a degree f*. and can control more amperage than the heating element for a sustained time. *0.2 would be nice.

 

[BantyChooks]

Some criteria brainstorming.
- Ideally tabletop sized cabinet to reduce footprint size
- Can be used with auto turners and with manual turning
- Low light pollution
- Easy to clean
- Forced air
- Under 500 PLN
- Capacity of up to 40 goose eggs
- Convertible to hatching baskets for lockdown

 

[BantyChooks]

BantyChooks,​

I built a small incubator, it was a learning experience. Two things you might consider. If you start with something that has a hinged door, like a wine cooler or a mini refrigerator, and they already have some insulation, it will make a nice solid unit. And when you select the temperature control device find one that is sensitive to less than half a degree f*. and can control more amperage than the heating element for a sustained time. *0.2 would be nice.

Thank you! I am hoping to find a wine cooler within budget but they're weirdly expensive, even used. My last incubator was a cabinet build with a large drink cooler and it was great.

I still haven't decided on thermostat. Was hoping to get a pid temp controller this time but the price is staggering. Did you end up going with digital or a wafer thermostat?

 

[Island Coppers]

Of course, the cooler doesn't have to be functional but people don't often sell broken ones. Have you got an appliance recycling place?

I was using a digital thermostat but my temps were too erratic and I had eggs being shipped soon so I bought a recommended incubator online.

 

[HatchCraft]

Thank you! I am hoping to find a wine cooler within budget but they're weirdly expensive, even used. My last incubator was a cabinet build with a large drink cooler and it was great.

I still haven't decided on thermostat. Was hoping to get a pid temp controller this time but the price is staggering. Did you end up going with digital or a wafer thermostat?

If you want precision PID is the way to go. .1 degree F temperature control. Prices are not too bad. A decent quality controller, ssr and pt100 3 wire sensor will cost around 50 bucks. You can definitely spend a lot more but its not necessay for an incubator. It will require wiring of course and an accurate thermometer as it will need calibration. There are plug and play options but I'm not very familiar with them.

 

[BantyChooks]

Of course, the cooler doesn't have to be functional but people don't often sell broken ones. Have you got an appliance recycling place?

I was using a digital thermostat but my temps were too erratic and I had eggs being shipped soon so I bought a recommended incubator online.

I don’t know of one but I’ve looked on resale sites similar to Craigslist. Normally my go-to is used ice chests but for some reason they’re almost the same price as new. I might ask around and see if anyone I know has something broken I can repurpose.

If you want precision PID is the way to go. .1 degree F temperature control. Prices are not too bad. A decent quality controller, ssr and pt100 3 wire sensor will cost around 50 bucks. You can definitely spend a lot more but its not necessay for an incubator. It will require wiring of course and an accurate thermometer as it will need calibration. There are plug and play options but I'm not very familiar with them.

I was hoping to keep the entire build to about $50 but I think this time I’ll have to raise my budget a bit, so I’ll keep them in consideration.

I’m a bit of an electronics dunce, so forgive me for incorrect terminology. Is the hysteresis range adjustable for these controllers? My concern is that I’ll end up burning out the light bulbs. Generally I aim for 40+ second on/off cycles and only lose a bulb every year or so, but I’m wondering if it will cycle more with the higher resolution/sensitivity.

 

[Kiki]

 

[Kiki]

I don’t know of one but I’ve looked on resale sites similar to Craigslist. Normally my go-to is used ice chests but for some reason they’re almost the same price as new. I might ask around and see if anyone I know has something broken I can repurpose.


I was hoping to keep the entire build to about $50 but I think this time I’ll have to raise my budget a bit, so I’ll keep them in consideration.

I’m a bit of an electronics dunce, so forgive me for incorrect terminology. Is the hysteresis range adjustable for these controllers? My concern is that I’ll end up burning out the light bulbs. Generally I aim for 40+ second on/off cycles and only lose a bulb every year or so, but I’m wondering if it will cycle more with the higher resolution/sensitivity.

Can I order you anything on your weird Amazon?