Incubators Anonymous

[ozexpat]

OK here is a pic of my SOON TO BE HATCHER... suggestions are welcome. I have requested windows on the drawers... need to find some glass for that. I want it on some legs so I don't have to bend over too much with my bad back. So far I like it LOTS. I suggested making the doors shorter since I will not be in there much. Might not be an easy thing to do so we will see. I will have a vent in the top and maybe one on the back too.

How about thick plexiglass for the drawer and door fronts? Water resistant.. drill-able and cut-able - doesn't break... and see through! Its what somebody put on the front of my Sportsman in place of the old door and I am very grateful! Only problem is the cost....

I actually use thin plexi glass - picture frame thin and very inexpensive at home depot. I put one piece on each side of the door frames - so its like a double pain window. I get great heat retention. When on top of the bator like in my bordeaux bator/hatcher - its 80F on the surface of the outside plexiglass with ambient temp 76

 

[Zootopia]

you dont have a problem at all, you have a well thought out plan take me, i have 60 eggs in lock down and I live in an apartment - I am the epitome of a problem

Oh Oz if it were only that easy. Last year at this time I couldn't hatch them fast enough. Just listing on CL and selling from the house. This year it looks like I'm going to have to go to the monthly Flea Market. Never sold there before, only been a spectator.

...

I did an incubator building workshop at the san diego meet up last weekend. I had people asking me to sell them incubators. You may see Oz incubators going mainstream LOL. Oh, were do we order them from? (Grins) or you could just show us how you do it.

 

[Zootopia]

you dont have a problem at all, you have a well thought out plan take me, i have 60 eggs in lock down and I live in an apartment - I am the epitome of a problem

Oh Oz if it were only that easy. Last year at this time I couldn't hatch them fast enough. Just listing on CL and selling from the house. This year it looks like I'm going to have to go to the monthly Flea Market. Never sold there before, only been a spectator.

...

I did an incubator building workshop at the san diego meet up last weekend. I had people asking me to sell them incubators. You may see Oz incubators going mainstream LOL. Oh, were do we order them from? (Grins) or you could just show us how you do it.

 

[ki4got]

Quote: if the bars are more than 1" apart you might consider wrapping smaller wire around at least the lower 12"... otherwise chicks might get out.

 

[cracrzy4chicks]

if the bars are more than 1" apart you might consider wrapping smaller wire around at least the lower 12"... otherwise chicks might get out.

I used cardboard......................... just a thought

 

[gladahmae]

It's a plastic kennel (petmate vari kennel) so the only bars are on the door and that's 1x1 grid. Our wire crate is in use with a foster dog and I just cleaned the huge crate I use to integrate new chickens. I didn't think a little silkie needed a 48in crate all to herself.

I'm anxious to get out there and see if she's still cozied up to her eggs!

 

[ChickNmamma]

Quote: That is a really good idea too. Double plexiglass would hold the heat in well. How does it do on clarity? With the picture frame thin it sounds like it would stay clear as long as it doesn't get condensation inside. Maybe put a package of those silica gel beads?

I was thinking - since the drawers are so much smaller an area to open up maybe you won't need to get elaborate in your baffling system to keep the heat in. It is when you open up a big door - or the top - that the heat escapes. I think that's why the old type incubators went from top opening to side opening. I was actually thinking of cutting my plexiglass to make a bottom door so I could slide just the hatching tray out - now I am thinking maybe I will make it into a drawer to slide out.. I like that idea...

It's a plastic kennel (petmate vari kennel) so the only bars are on the door and that's 1x1 grid. Our wire crate is in use with a foster dog and I just cleaned the huge crate I use to integrate new chickens. I didn't think a little silkie needed a 48in crate all to herself.

I'm anxious to get out there and see if she's still cozied up to her eggs!

That looks great! Do share pictures when they hatch out.

 

[Runawaylobster]

It's a plastic kennel (petmate vari kennel) so the only bars are on the door and that's 1x1 grid. Our wire crate is in use with a foster dog and I just cleaned the huge crate I use to integrate new chickens. I didn't think a little silkie needed a 48in crate all to herself.

I'm anxious to get out there and see if she's still cozied up to her eggs!

You have given me motivation..... I'm going to steal my dog's wire crate tonight and
set it up for Mrs Brahma.. Looks awesome

 

[RideRed93]

I have a question about the humidity.. does it matter if the humidity is high like 70-80%? My eggs aren't on lock down they have been in the incubator for about 3days... Is it way too high for them? Or does it matter ?

Second: my first batch is getting ready to hatch. They are pheasant eggs and I know they have thick shells so will it be hard for them to hatch out??

This is my first time hatching eggs! Any thoughts ??

 

[ChickNmamma]

I have a question about the humidity.. does it matter if the humidity is high like 70-80%? My eggs aren't on lock down they have been in the incubator for about 3days... Is it way too high for them? Or does it matter ?

Second: my first batch is getting ready to hatch. They are pheasant eggs and I know they have thick shells so will it be hard for them to hatch out??

This is my first time hatching eggs! Any thoughts ??

Are all your eggs pheasant eggs? I do not know what the humidity is supposed to be for them - only for chickens - and it varies depending on your altitude...