Made an Incubator Tonight

[chickenwhisperer]

Check it out!
Imma be a hatchin fool

 

[paddock36]

Looks pretty good. Only thing I didn't see was a few air holes, so air could still get in. My incubator is made from a cooler also.

 

[The Sheriff]

Awesome. What are you hatching?

Forgot to ask, don't you want the temp at 99.5 for a forced air incubator? I have no knowledge of homemade incubators but was juts curious.
Mary

 

[FlashPointFarm]

Awesome! Let us know how that water heater thermostat works for you.

 

[Chickenfarmer 1-2-b]

Is there a glass window I didn't see. You want one when time comes of pipping, zipping, and hatching since you cant open the lid to take a peek due to loss of humidity. It's like watching a good movie when they are hatching, lol. Other thing is put a piece of electrical tape over the exposed thermostat electrical contacts in case you touch that and get a shock. Never been shocked before but I have no desire for it. Looks great.

Andy

 

[chickenwhisperer]

Quote:
Thats what I hear, 99.5 . . .
I dunno, I aint too worried about .5 of a degree.
I think if I get it to hold at 100(so far its been steady at 100) Im in business.

Ill be hatching some mutt-chickens from my friends mom, the dominate rooster is EE, the 2nd rooster is a crazy-lookin polish, the hens are various layers- BR, EE, RIR,Del, polish, etc . . .

I hatched eggs from these chickens 2.5 yrs ago . . .


The bator seems to be holding steady so sar, Im rather impressed with it.

There are a couple holes in it for air, but I have them taped off.
The cooler is older and doesnt seal perfectly and also the hole where the cords go thru isnt totally sealed, there is good ventilation but not too much, I will watch it to make sure.

Hey Warden, you got eggs to hatch?

 

[chickenwhisperer]

Quote:
I loved to get shocked, lets me know Im still alive . . .

As long as there is no danger to melt plastic or cause fire, its all good.
All the connections are back inside th housing for the fan, must reach in there to get shocked.

Ill add the window tonight prolly, I didnt have the right tool to get a clean cut for it last night.
I am definately gonna add a viewing window.

 

[FlashPointFarm]

Sounds like a fun batch of eggs you'll have Andy! If you want any purebreds, let me know.

 

[raimnel]

looks almost like mine.

did you think about how to raise the humidity when your water cup is empty? I have a pan in the bottom that I put water into via a tube ran through the wall of the cooler. Works like a charm.

 

[chickenwhisperer]

Quote:
Yeah, thats on my mind also tonight.

I got the window and the water supply to do.
I dont have a hygrometer in there at the moment, but there is no fog moisture on the sides and a miniscule amount of water is gone from the cup.
I stuck my hand in, and Id say its about 75% humidity right now(I am a frog breeder, I know my temps and humidity levels), so a bit high but very manageable.


I reset my thermometer this morning, and according to the high/low for the day, it had a low of 99 and a high of 100 for the day.
So Im fairly confident with my temps and construction, just gotta get the humidity dialed in and Im golden.

These old IGLOO coolers are definately well-built.
And this isnt even a big one, Id say the inside is no more than 15 gallons.

I gotta get to work on it, Ill post pics when Im done.