I've made an incubator. *pics*

[Emilys3guppies]

I must be mad! I'm moving in 3 weeks but instead of packing I'm scavenging materials to make an incubator. Of course, I won't use it until we are in the new house, but I wanted to have it ready. LOL! Can you blame me?

I'm using a styrofoam cooler that my hubby had kicking around for beer. But this is much more noble a cause! I had a picture with a broken frame, so I took the glass out and ducttaped the edges. It opens like a door...incase I need to get into the incubator I don't want to have to take off the entire lid and allow all the heat to escape.

The hardward store shamefully didn't have any lamp kits. But they did have those clamp lamps on sale for really cheep (lol) at $5. I took it apart and installed it in the side.

I've got a thermometre/humidity metre taped to the side in a place that is visible from the window. There will be a ceramic dish in the bottom, covered with hardware cloth. A cage for the light too.

I'm going to use a metal pencil tray, with 2" sides, as a turner. I've got it stapled to a wooden spatula that will eventually stick out the side of the incubator so that I can turn it to move the tray from side to side. Cut the bottom out of quail trays and I've got a turner without having to open the unit!

I have to pick up some tubing so that I can add water without opening it too.

I also have a computer fan that my hubby will install for me.

Anyway, here are the preliminary pics. I'll post more as I get it done.

Critique? It's cost me all of $10 so far (light, thermometres) so I'm not heartbroken if I've gotta start over. LOL. I'm already considering a 10watt instead of that 25.

I can't wait to get me some quail babies!

 

[monarc23]

Looks good to me!!!

 

[citalk2much]

Nice work!

 

[CARS]

Looks like it will work to me!!! Good luck with your hatching!!!!

 

[shelleyd2008]

Do you have any holes in it for ventilation?? You need to have holes around the bottom and around the top for fresh air.

Are you using a thermostat, or just the light? You would do yourself a big favor if you were to purchase a low-end water heater thermostat to regulate the heat. I tried making one last year, with a light bulb on a dimmer, it didn't work worth a darn. I got a water heater thermostat from Lowe's for about $8, and you need one of those metal things that houses an electrical outlet? I never can remember what they are called!

Anyway, you need on of those to mount the thermostat onto, as they work by the temp of the metal, rather than the temp of the air.

Other than that, it looks good!

 

[peakpoultry]

Wow. I will have to try that!

 

[Emilys3guppies]

Thanks for the tip, Shelleyd. I'll have to have a look for a thermostat!

I'm going to pick up some infertile quail egg from our grocery and put a clutch in to see what the temp does with eggs in it.

There are holes in the bottom and the top, but I think I will have to make them bigger.

 

[quailbrain]

I'd be careful with infertile eggs in it. If they aren't in there long you might be ok but they can crack, smell, explode, etc. I have used full water bottles before. The humidity isn't effected if the bottle is sealed but the tempurature can adjust to raising the temp of liquid filled objects. Cracked and exploding eggs can be a lot of work and the smel is awful! If it's only for a short time you probably could get away with it though.

 

[saddina]

Get something loaf pan sized as your water resiviour, you need surface area not depth, I think humidity was low my entire last batsh, now it's holding firm 55-60 this batch.

 

[Emilys3guppies]

Thanks for all the tips!!

I'll use a waterbottle instead. We usually have quail eggs around, so I thought that would be best, but I hadn't considered the cracking issue. I just want to run the bator for a day to make sure I can keep consistent temperatures.