Incubators Anonymous

[Runawaylobster]

I got my HATCHER! WOW what a good job he did too! Took longer than he expected, but I also added somethings as we worked on it and I had him change the height. I wanted it a tad taller.... about 12 inches.

One drawer would not square right so it is a little off, I might have to put weather stripping on that drawer but not sure yet. Not sure if I should put weather stripping anywhere else. It all closes really well. The little bit that is around the doors and drawers might be just enough for ventilation.

I don't know if you can tell or not but the BOTTOM is HUGE. I like that i have room to keep the weaker chicks in the hatcher if I need to without taking up room in the drawers. There is storage under the bottom too.

This is HEAVY! Hubby and I were struggling with it without the drawers

I think I am going to put casters on the bottom. Just add a piece of wood to each side then add the casters.

If anyone has some suggestions please let me know what. I am going to put some backer board where the flexwatt will go. I think I will add 2 light bulb things. 1 will be for a heat emitter and the other for a florecent light so I will know it is working LOL. I will need a box with plugs controlled by the thermostat. The thermostat will go on the bottom right side UNDER the door. Now where should I put the thermostat prob? I need some lights too... suggestions would be great there. Water.... I want to use a 3 gal bucket to feed water in so I don't have to open it to add water. The computer fan and water placement are up in the air. I kinda think the water should be on the flexwatt to help evaporate it, but that may not matter much.

Going to try to get it wired up this week. I have eggs going into lock down next weekend and I would like to test it for a few days before I go all in.

I AM SOOOOO EXCITED! Can't wait to get this running. I LOVE IT and I don't even have it working yet! BTW it is 1/3 bigger than what I am using now and way better plan than just stacking them. I can easily hatch 216 eggs in the baskets (18 baskets with 12 eggs each) PLUS I have room in the bottom for another 6 + baskets in the bottom. I need to go buy more baskets.

Looks just fabulous!! one thought i had was are you including a mechanism for topping up the water without opening? just thought of it because it's a problem in my sportsman (i don't have the auto filler).

 

[Runawaylobster]

my name is mikki and I'm a hatchaholic!!!

Hi Mikki!

 

[ChickNmamma]

Hello everyone my hatch day is tomorrow and u was wondering when can u expect to see pips or hear chirping

If tomorrow is day 21 you may already have both. They can begin peeping as early as day 18, and pips on day 19. Tapping comes first as the beak and lungs start to work and the egg tooth taps against the shell. Peeping begins after they break into the aircell and the lungs learn about oxygen and how to handle that. Then they run out of oxygen and start convulsing a bit and break out of the shell (pips). Then they rest for a bit... sometimes a long bit. I like to tap on the incubator and peep and see if anybody peeps back at me...

 

[ki4got]

Quote: or you may never notice cheeping at all, until they're already zipping... pips I usually get late on day 20 (on average). sometimes earlier, sometimes later. it depends on a lot of things, including breed, I think.

my SFH typically hatch a day later than other breeds incubated side by side.

 

[waterplz]

Ok but I don't see either of those should I be worried

 

[waterplz]

Wait, does the time start when they are laid or when you put them in the incubator.

 

[waterplz]

Please somebody answer me!

 

[insanity]

From the time they went in the incubator. Relax the waiting is almost over.Sometimes they don't make any noise before hatching.I had 1 chick who didn't feel coming out till day 23.
Good Luck

 

[waterplz]

Thank you so much

 

[DMRippy]

Looks just fabulous!! one thought i had was are you including a mechanism for topping up the water without opening? just thought of it because it's a problem in my sportsman (i don't have the auto filler).

I actually have a bucket made up for the incubator, but never used it. I AM going to use it in the hatcher. I will sit the bucket on top and I have a tube with a clamp and I will have that run into the pan at the bottom of the hatcher.