Incubators Anonymous

[gimmie birdies]

let me know how it goes...

 

[Jessshan8]

I would say that you are right considering the wetting part

 

[lazy gardener]

I think I'm addicted. I can't seem to stop adding more eggs to my incubator! lol.
I love watching them emerge from their shell.
Nearly 1 chick hatched each day since March 6th. (12 total)


Three sections each with different thermometers.
(Can pack up to 36 eggs! 12x3)

1. ◄ Left: Earliest stages.
2. ─ Center: 8-17 days.
3. ► Right: Just about to hatch (no more turning).

Large container:
1. Clear lid with a black felt sheet to absorb and spread the heat evenly.
2. Inner walls lined with reflective poly film.
3. Outer walls insulated with 1/2" thick poly foam.

Each small container:
1. Sits approx 3/4" above a very shallow pool of distilled+well water.
≈ water contains activated carbon powder/pellets, sodium bicarbonate, and H202 to maintain pH(freshness) longer.
2. Has several small holes in it's walls for humidity to reach inside easier.
3. Is filled with bedding (such as fine pine shavings, corn cob, and sand).

Each egg is placed in a coffee filter so that the nasty-goop & baby chick can be constrained/transferred better and easier to the 2nd stage room, where it goes to dry off and eventually wander off in order to find food and water...






"Mostly humidity-tight, but not fully air-tight" plastic lid.
Covered with a black felt sheet to help spread heat evenly.




• 250W heat lamp approx. 3ft above chamber lid.
• Mirrors on sides to reflect heat.

Temps remain adequately stable (unless lid is opened shortly for candling).


~ Any comments or suggestions are welcome!

I'm impressed. No thermostat? Where do you have it set up, and what is the room temperature?

 

[gimmie birdies]

Greyfin, and Greytah and the dark one is Greytel

 

[Roost-e-Boy]

I rotate them each by hand (as quick as I can without losing heat and humidity)... I lost several already but for my very first time I had overall fair success.
I'm not fully finished with it, so it will be improved bit by bit.

 

[Roost-e-Boy]

I'm impressed. No thermostat? Where do you have it set up, and what is the room temperature?

I'm actually the thermostat for the time being, lol.
I'm around quite often monitoring temps and regulating them if needed (raising/lowering light). It rarely needs adjustment anymore.
Though it took several hours to calibrate the distance(from lamp to container) in order to stabilize heat inside,
(which was the most difficult part of the setup, since it takes a while (hours) for thermal-equilibrium in a "crude" system like this).
If the lamp was just a bit too close(about 1/2" to 3/4" only), it would get a bit too hot, but if it was a bit too far it wouldn't stay warm enough.

It's located in a walk-in closet (temps around 78-82°F)..
I also setup circulation (a low rpm fan toward their food room) and ventilation of the entire closet leading outside(using a high-rpm/cfm 150mm CPU fan).

So far the setup is working well. I'm almost getting overwhelmed with baby chicks!!

 

[gimmie birdies]

The 4 above hatched this morning, below is thw whole gang of chicks I hatched over the weekend.


This whole page in Backyard poultry mag. is about my incubator, and chicks. April/may2015 pg 19

up date,

This guy hatched today Wed. 25 not late, but I had slipped him in after the other eggs had been set. day 21 for him.

 

[katiec1824]

Input please ! Best digital cabinet style incubator

 

[Boyd]

Input please ! Best digital cabinet style incubator

https://www.gqfmfg.com/store/comersus_viewItem.asp?idProduct=68

 

[SRHartley]

Have the first chick of my big hatch emerge a full day early. Just checked and have about 20 or so pipped already as well. These little buggers want out!