Making a diy incubator mostly for peafowl

[ronzxcvb]

1. Would tilting or rolling be better for peafowl and guineas (I assumed rolling but can still change)
2. I ordered this motor off eBay better recommendation? or should I hand turn? (I read somewhere bump turning was best for peafowl)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/110V-AC-Eg...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649
3. I ran a test and temps were even and stable empty but have been thinking I should tilt the fan about 1/4" towards the side wall for better circulation

Thanks for any help

 

[Rickba]

For what you have into that, you should have just bought an incubator on E-Bay and saved yourself a headache.

 

[ronzxcvb]

building an incubator is fairly simple and a lot cheaper to make a something that works better I did get a Chinese one to use as a backup and may use it for a hatcher
Which this one will be used for in a few years when I build a cabinet
$13.00 for the turner
$1.59 for an outlet
$0.99 for light bulb
$3.89 spray paint
I did buy a $14 controller that didn't work so I used the one from the pump house
rest of the stuff I already had
So technically have $19.47 invested now but actually will be $33.47

 

[nightowl223]

building an incubator is fairly simple and a lot cheaper to make a something that works better I did get a Chinese one to use as a backup and may use it for a hatcher
Which this one will be used for in a few years when I build a cabinet
$13.00 for the turner
$1.59 for an outlet
$0.99 for light bulb
$3.89 spray paint
I did buy a $14 controller that didn't work so I used the one from the pump house
rest of the stuff I already had
So technically have $19.47 invested now but actually will be $33.47

Building an incubator is pretty fun, too! I've built 3 in the past 7 or 8 years. My first practice/learning one was with a standard sized styrofoam cooler. It didn't ever work very well, as I had hot and cold spots. My second one, it was a bit more involved. I used one of the really large hard-sided coolers (I think it was 150 qt), had a blower in it, had a hand-turner rigging I made that turned 3 different rows of 1 1/2 dozen eggs each, and had a hatching area, too, plus a protected water tank for plenty of humidity. It worked pretty darn good for a second try! About 70-75% hatch rate.

My third attempt was with a broken dorm fridge I got for nothing. I had a friend give me some double paned windows, too, so I took one apart and installed half of it into the door of the dorm fridge so I could see inside. I have 3 turners in it - one I bought full price, one was given to me because it was "broken" (needed a new moter, which I got cheap on eBay), and I got one cheap from another friend. The heating element is from an old styrofoam incubator gotten at an auction for $5, as is the thermostat. It uses a little personal desk fan (about 5" diameter) for moving the heat around. I cut down a big plastic jug that held cat litter, which fit perfectly into the bottom shelf in the door, and it holds the water. I use cotton cloths to wick up the water to help with humidity. I have a half dozen holes on each side to control air flow and adjust humidity. And the very top has a hatching tray.

Including sealant and wire connectors, I spent about $70 for a bator equivalent to $450-500 ones. And I get (depending on whether the fellas did their part) about 90% hatch rate, with chickens, quail, guineas, turkeys, even waterfowl.

 

[nightowl223]

For what you have into that, you should have just bought an incubator on E-Bay and saved yourself a headache.

Boo, hiss, boo! You've missed the point of the whole thing! Aside from being a lot cheaper, building your own incubator is something you can feel proud of, a nice accomplishment. You can't buy that on eBay.

 

[nightowl223]

1. Would tilting or rolling be better for peafowl and guineas (I assumed rolling but can still change)
2. I ordered this motor off eBay better recommendation? or should I hand turn? (I read somewhere bump turning was best for peafowl)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/110V-AC-Egg-Turner-Motor-Rotator-Motor-Farm-Incubator-Hatcher-Brooder-Farm-D-US/282829180084?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649
3. I ran a test and temps were even and stable empty but have been thinking I should tilt the fan about 1/4" towards the side wall for better circulation
View attachment 1262564 View attachment 1262565 View attachment 1262566 View attachment 1262567
Thanks for any help

I don't know about peafowl, specifically, but I've had better luck with autoturners that tilt rather than roll.

As for the fan... I would definitely at least deflect the air so it circulates more rather than just blowing straight down.

Looks like you're well on your way, anyway. Have fun! I enjoy building incubators!