Incubators Anonymous

[TNBEARCHICK]

Now see that is a more normal number than what you set last time. Was that a week ago? Or just a few days ago? How do you brood all those chicks? I am going to start pulling my hair out soon.

We took the tack room in the barn which is semi insulated, with a concrete floor(soon to have a steel door due to rats chewing through it and killed about 30 chicks). I first built a large brooder box with outlets in it(an old counter from a parts store converted), then on top of it I used some recycled crates, hinges and hardware cloth to build 3 more brooders. 2 of them are 16x24 and one 32x24.
Now I have built 4 more that are 36x30(roughly) 2 of them are for 2-4 week old chick and the other 2 are for anything. Then once they start to feather we have 20 brooders in the breeze way that are converted pallets(from a local nursery). They are 40x48, these work well except when you get messy birds. We also use them for juveniles( that you are extra protective over( and roosters that can't behave. We currently have a trio of Brahma Bantams in one also. I alos have 3 that are 30x72 (2 the rabbits stole)

 

[TNBEARCHICK]

I have my next 3 in incubators.... The next one after that planned in my head and number 5 will be whatever I pick up at the auction the week after next!

We have three GQF nearly full. You do the math 288x3= lots of chicks. Well its probable more like 220x3.

 

[foxygoober]

The eggs are in the incubator! Told my dh that only half might hatch.....he doesn't want 18 silkies! The humidity outside the incubator is 45 right now same in the incubator. One temp reads 101 the other 99 . Hmpf.

 

[Runawaylobster]

We took the tack room in the barn which is semi insulated, with a concrete floor(soon to have a steel door due to rats chewing through it and killed about 30 chicks). I first built a large brooder box with outlets in it(an old counter from a parts store converted), then on top of it I used some recycled crates, hinges and hardware cloth to build 3 more brooders. 2 of them are 16x24 and one 32x24.
Now I have built 4 more that are 36x30(roughly) 2 of them are for 2-4 week old chick and the other 2 are for anything. Then once they start to feather we have 20 brooders in the breeze way that are converted pallets(from a local nursery). They are 40x48, these work well except when you get messy birds. We also use them for juveniles( that you are extra protective over( and roosters that can't behave. We currently have a trio of Brahma Bantams in one also. I alos have 3 that are 30x72 (2 the rabbits stole)

Gee I hope you mean Inches!!!!

 

[DMRippy]

Quote:
We are building me 9 brooders (each has 3 sections) They are about 27 x 48 with 2 set of light sockets (1 for heat emitter and 1 for a CFL on a timer). I hope to build a external feeder and waterer so they can have ALL the floor space. It is hardware cloth floor and there is an oil pan from Walmart to catch the pop.


These pics should be reversed. The wire floor is removable so I can clean it if needed. We still are working out the details. Doors and the feeders and the waterers. I am using 3 now the others are made but still need the wire floor trays made and a few other details. My plan is to have one for LF chick, one for Bantams and one for Roosters for the roo guy. I may also use one for SPECIAL chicks that I can't afford to lose. I may expand this idea for larger chicks and double the size (50 inches wide and 48 long with 2 oil pans) Maybe have them 18 inches tall staked 2 per brooder. I would probably just do wire all the way around on those. One day when I get them more like I want them I will make a thread on how I made them.

 

[5 Acre Rooster]

I have issue saving my BYM eggs because I can't keep up with customer demand so I can't get any more cooking. I have 20 rouen eggs and 22 BYM. And against the odds I have some 1/2 breed X CX, 13 plus a few in my 22 BYM. Every time I get a lead on some new birds to add to production I get too late on the phone. Was close Saturday but seller called when we were 1/2 way there to say his wife's coworker just bought everything he had. Wife must of felt sorry for me because we went to Farm store and got some pure males for my pure pullets. But will be 5 months before I have them ready. Oh well. at least I am breaking even on feed cost and get to do whatever I want with my birds.

 

[chickensnbees]

I just moved 30 eggs into the hatcher today. I was almost too late..One chirped at me and sure enough it pipped right then! So now I have 30 empty spaces and only 18 red dorking eggs being delivered tomorrow. How am I supposed to deal with a dozen empty spaces in one of the incubators? It just feels....WRONG!

 

[TNBEARCHICK]

Donna I like what, I see. I only have one with wire on the bottom. I am planning to start putting wire in the ones in the breeze way with a slide out tray.

 

[DMRippy]

Donna I like what, I see. I only have one with wire on the bottom. I am planning to start putting wire in the ones in the breeze way with a slide out tray.

Hubby likes them so much he wants all of the bigger brooders with wire bottoms too. He told me the other day he has been trying to figure out how to jack them up so we can under them LOL.

 

[misbhaven]

Wire is great, I just moved some ducklings into a bass type rabbit cage with tray.. they can't spill their water or food I have it in cage cups..