Quote:
Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!
- Thread starter Wynette
- Start date
Math~ Just for you, the very first photos of my home made incubator.
Here it is the "home'mater". I made this out of a 4'x 8' sheet of rigid foam insulation that we had left over from some random job somewhere.
I have as many little foam dividers as needed and I just place them in where ever needed depending on how many breeds that I am incubating. All of the dividers have 1 inch holes drilled in them to as allow for air and heat transfer. You can also see all of the heat sinks that I have placed around the outside edges, they really help in keeping all corners and walls of it nice and toasty, and when I need to refill the water pans, I use the water out of one of the jars because it is already the same temp as the 'bator, then just refill with 99 degree water out of the tap. It will hold a constant humidity of 60% + with no problems if needed. I use 2- 40 watt frosted bulbs that will run for approx. 1500 hours before needing to be replaced.
I built it so that it would hold 2 egg turners on the bottom if I had the need to incubate that many, but mostly I use it for hatching. Last year I incubated lots and lots of eggs in it and used my LG's as hatchers.
Getting it ready for lockdown on Wednesday.
I use that rubbermaid shelf/drawer liner over the top of the wire so they don't have to be on the wire and it allows good flow. It is also very easy to wash just don't wring it out, lay flat or hang to dry.
Here it is with one divider in it as that is all I will need this time. The Dellies I can hatch with anyone, no problem figuring out who they are, as with the Wellies. I will however need to seperate Gnarles girls eggs from Bills so I will put them on each side. The Olive Eggers I have going can hatch in the LG. That great big thermometer that you see is as accurate as the day is long (stole that from my DH...shhhhhh, he doesn't know I have it
) I gauge all thermometers off of that one.
Complete with 2 big viewing windows and of course some little glittery pink flamingo stickers.
Here it is the "home'mater". I made this out of a 4'x 8' sheet of rigid foam insulation that we had left over from some random job somewhere.
I have as many little foam dividers as needed and I just place them in where ever needed depending on how many breeds that I am incubating. All of the dividers have 1 inch holes drilled in them to as allow for air and heat transfer. You can also see all of the heat sinks that I have placed around the outside edges, they really help in keeping all corners and walls of it nice and toasty, and when I need to refill the water pans, I use the water out of one of the jars because it is already the same temp as the 'bator, then just refill with 99 degree water out of the tap. It will hold a constant humidity of 60% + with no problems if needed. I use 2- 40 watt frosted bulbs that will run for approx. 1500 hours before needing to be replaced.
I built it so that it would hold 2 egg turners on the bottom if I had the need to incubate that many, but mostly I use it for hatching. Last year I incubated lots and lots of eggs in it and used my LG's as hatchers.
Getting it ready for lockdown on Wednesday.
I use that rubbermaid shelf/drawer liner over the top of the wire so they don't have to be on the wire and it allows good flow. It is also very easy to wash just don't wring it out, lay flat or hang to dry.
Here it is with one divider in it as that is all I will need this time. The Dellies I can hatch with anyone, no problem figuring out who they are, as with the Wellies. I will however need to seperate Gnarles girls eggs from Bills so I will put them on each side. The Olive Eggers I have going can hatch in the LG. That great big thermometer that you see is as accurate as the day is long (stole that from my DH...shhhhhh, he doesn't know I have it
Complete with 2 big viewing windows and of course some little glittery pink flamingo stickers.
Last edited:
Nice job!
Love the flamingos!
Love the flamingos!
Thank you Chooks!
You know me......I'd have a flock of Pink Flamingos too if I could!
You know me......I'd have a flock of Pink Flamingos too if I could!
Hey Marans folks.. not to change the subject.. but have a question for the experts ;-)
I have always added fish meal (small amounts) to the regular pellets to raise the protien a bit when needed.. was talking to a cattle farmer friend and he uses soybean meal to up the protien in his cows its 45% protien.. anyone here ever used soybean meal??
thanks ever so MUCH!!!!
Denna
I have always added fish meal (small amounts) to the regular pellets to raise the protien a bit when needed.. was talking to a cattle farmer friend and he uses soybean meal to up the protien in his cows its 45% protien.. anyone here ever used soybean meal??
thanks ever so MUCH!!!!
Denna
Quote:
Soy bean needs to be expelled or roasted, raw soy bean has anti nutrients and is not a good feed. Roasted soybean is typically 34% protein not 45%. Fish meal is 60% protein.
I personally have an ideology that makes me opposed to soybeans in all forms other than fermented.... I like fish meal or peas for a protein boost.
(Not sure if any of you breeders have concerns with the potential hormonal effects of soybeans and fertility in your birds or not? I would not mind hearing opinions on that)...
Pink beautiful BB/S birds you have!! Thanks for sharing...
ON
Soy bean needs to be expelled or roasted, raw soy bean has anti nutrients and is not a good feed. Roasted soybean is typically 34% protein not 45%. Fish meal is 60% protein.
I personally have an ideology that makes me opposed to soybeans in all forms other than fermented.... I like fish meal or peas for a protein boost.
(Not sure if any of you breeders have concerns with the potential hormonal effects of soybeans and fertility in your birds or not? I would not mind hearing opinions on that)...
Pink beautiful BB/S birds you have!! Thanks for sharing...
ON
thanks organics north.. that would explain the price differance.. soybean meal is SO MUCH cheaper.. knew there had to be a reason
will stick with the fish meal our local feed store is up to $55 a bag for 50 pounds (argh).. and Pink do love that red splash.. we had a flock of red laced white wyandotte bantams many moon ago.. just love that off color ;-)
Denna
Denna
fdnick
I'm going with fish meal too. 91% of the Soy beans grown in this country are genetically modified! Don't know 'bout you, but I don't need my eggs glowing in the dark, or walking out of the nest box on their own!
Not to mention the issues with digestability and fertility. $55.00/50 lbs. sounds a bit high, anywhere else around you to get it from?? And if you do get the fish meal, MAKE SURE it is FOOD GRADE!
Pink ~ Nice Bator!!
I'm going with fish meal too. 91% of the Soy beans grown in this country are genetically modified! Don't know 'bout you, but I don't need my eggs glowing in the dark, or walking out of the nest box on their own!
Pink ~ Nice Bator!!
Similar threads
New posts New threads Active threads
-
Latest threads
-
-
-
Please help my chickens aren't making new feathers
- Started by Feathers everywere
- Replies: 0
-
-
Some of my chickens were laying on the ground, is this bad
- Started by Belovedturkey
- Replies: 0
-
-
Threads with more replies in the last 15 days
-
-
-
BYC's 52-week Photography Challenge. Week 3: (Jan 19-25, 2026). Theme: Hot, Hot, Hot!- Started by Blue Raptor
- Replies: 44
-
-
-
