Looking for modification ideas to an incubator…

[Black Dog Roosters]

I ordered a reptile cabinet style incubator today and I knew prior to ordering that I’d need to modify it a little bit before use… just wondering if anyone has used one and what they used to modified it… my main thing is the slots in the shelves as well as the front to keep the chicks secure and from falling out when the door is opened, and through, and/or injuring their legs etc, but also not restrict any air flow as well

Thank you in advance for any and all recommendations!

 

[Huntmaster]

I would make some hardware cloth baskets/trays made to shelf-size to use as removable baskets / trays.

 

[Huntmaster]

If your worried about metal which I wouldn't be you could line, the basket/tray with cheap grippy self-liner the stuff with all the holes in it.

 

[The Moonshiner]

I would make some hardware cloth baskets/trays made to self-size to use as removable baskets / trays.

This is what I'd do too.
They do make vinyl coated hardware cloth and that's what I'd go with.

 

[Black Dog Roosters]

That was pretty much what I had in mind as well- making a hardware cloth removable basket, then maybe lined with some of that grippy shelving stuff- just cause I wasn’t sure how warm the hardware cloth would be and feel to newly hatched chicks laying and walking on it
Thank you!

 

[Ridgerunner]

I wasn’t sure how warm the hardware cloth would be and feel to newly hatched chicks laying and walking on it

If it is inside the incubator it will be the same temperature as the inside of the incubator. I'd use 1/2" or 1/4" hardware cloth myself.

 

[Indio Gigante Lover]

How'd things go with your reptile 'bator? I have one of these, that's at least 10 yrs old - before Vevor carried them they were called Reptile Pro. Only reason I have it as it was free. Came in at work with a damaged exterior front glass. Glass is double pane, & inner pane was OK, so I was able to fix it. It works great & I've hatched many a chick in it over the years. It can be used as a small refrigerator too when not hatching eggs Plus it has cord that can plug into car cigarette lighter in an emergency

I did the hardware route on shelves, extending it out to the door as there was a gap there that chicks could get caught in. I used 1/2", as the larger holes kept eggs from rolling better. Then at lockdown, I put a sheet of plastic needlepoint mesh down so chicks couldn't get feet caught in larger 1/2" holes (I had that happen once).

I taped a piece of heavy clear plastic that's a little bigger than door opening along the top, and cut small holes that my hands go through. I drop down the plastic to cover the opening when I open the door & poke my hands through the holes to turn the eggs. That helps retain heat/humidity loss from big door opening.