My Basic DIY Incubator

[kuhnse51]

Aww congrats @gimmiebirdies thats awesome! I have eggs set to hatch wednesday!

 

[torilovessmiles]

I will further this thread soon! I was going to set today, but I had to house an injured little chick in my DIY incubator because she was getting too cold, and her hatch mates were trampling her. She passed this afternoon, unfortunately.
Someone gave me a little giant to hatch out a bigger clutch of chicks. I don't want the stress of two still-air incubators at once, but I WILL hatch out at least one chick from my coolerbator eventually!
Also, my rooster is mating a lot more lately, so I should have higher fertility rates!
Cute chicks, Gimme birdies! I hope yours goes well kuhnse51!

 

[gimmie birdies]

Thank you, I am sorry about your chick

I set a barrier between my older chicks (2 weeks old) and my younger ones, I know the lamp looks bad but it is the angle and nothing is touching lamp. This was a temp barrier and I was home. now I have a whole new batch of new ones and they are in a separate box until they can move about good My new chicks are weirdly huge! so they will catch up quick.

 

[torilovessmiles]

Just to update you guys, the eggs in the little giant are developing
I picked up some 'assorted bantam' chicks today, two being obvious silkies, and looked at their feet for the fifth toe, SIX toes. One has one foot with five toes and one foot with six. The "sixth toe" appears to be part of the fifth toe, being slightly parted at the end with two separate claws. The other has this odd toe on both feet.
Does this happen often? So weird

 

[gimmie birdies]

Three more hatched since I last blabbed. the above one on Wed. 25th, the below chicks on April 1. one from a gray egg.



My daughter talked me into setting call duck eggs....

 

[Feather duster]

I have a coolerbater with a temperature control like yours. Its not a STC 1000, but it looks just like one and its in Fahrenheit. I have it set so the temperature swings between 99.4 and 99.7. I can adjust it and find the sweet spot where it will maintain a rock steady temperature,but the light bulbs flash on and off continuously and I'm worried it will blow the bulbs out cycling so fast. What is your thoughts on that,will they take the constant cycling? On another note I candled 21 Partridge Rock eggs on day seven last night two were infertile and one was a quitter. Eighteen alive and well so will have to wait and see what day fourteen has to offer. These eggs were shipped from Meyer hatchery to Maine in foam. Only one saddle shaped air cell, all other are normal so I'm happy with that. But as the old saying goes don't count your chickens before they hatch. lol

 

[torilovessmiles]

I hope your hatch goes well!
To avoid the constant turning off and on, could you install a dimmer? My grandfather explained to me how to hook one to a thermostat but I don't think I could give instructions lol

I have a coolerbater with a temperature control like yours. Its not a STC 1000, but it looks just like one and its in Fahrenheit. I have it set so the temperature swings between 99.4 and 99.7. I can adjust it and find the sweet spot where it will maintain a rock steady temperature,but the light bulbs flash on and off continuously and I'm  worried it will blow the bulbs out cycling so fast. What is your thoughts on that,will they take the constant cycling? On another note I candled 21 Partridge Rock eggs on day seven last night two were infertile and one was a quitter. Eighteen alive and well so will have to wait and see what day fourteen has to offer. These eggs were shipped from Meyer hatchery to Maine in foam. Only one saddle shaped air cell, all other are normal so I'm happy with that. But as the old saying goes don't count your chickens before they hatch.  lol

 

[Roxannemc]

READ someone who professionally builds the cooler bators said it is GOOD the more often they cycle as it is keeping the temp spot on.
If you have 2 bulbs i wouldnt worry.If one blows the second will just stay on longer to keep temps right.The really good thing about the 2 light bulb coolerbator..your bator will never go cold unless power outage

 

[Roxannemc]

The still air can simply be converted to fan by adding a computer fan.If you have the $2.50 sty.cooler bator id get a small fan from ebay.Like 40 MM. Normally for regular size bator id get a 80 mm.
80mm was $7 from my local computer repair store.
You just need a plug from a phone or something that is 120 v out and 9 to 11 v in...should say both on the square plug.They are $1 at thrift stores.Has to be those volts But many are.
Splice the wires together.one fan wire to one phone cord wire .then other fan wire to other phone cord wire..use small electric nuts on ends of wires. they are really low volt So no danger of electrocuting yourself .Before putting together first touch them together as one side of the split cord wont work other will ...fan will come on. so can only splice that way..
See youtube for exact instructions video Rush Lane Poultry has the best i used his video for my first fan install but it really is a breeze to do.And makes for more even heat distribution..no hot spots.
Put fan inch or so away from the bator wall with. Maybe 2 inch screws so has room to pull in air From back.Youll be glad you did this.

 

[Roxannemc]

Rereading posts..I started using .Oxine AH....Many breeders use it . a good cleaner for incubators and does turn to salt when dry and no or very little smell compared to bleach..
Eighth teaspoon in a gallon of water to use for humidity keeps the water clean.no guck build up.no smell...
Dont use the acid activator..makes it way Too strong..and you need a heavy duty mask then...Just oxine alone No problems
It is used in industry to clean poultry equipment Etc and. You can spray your coop to kill bacteria also..
Not real cheap but the best for bacteria.Revival. pet supply online carries it.. Including shipping$ 31 a gallon but will last forever as you use so little .Cleaning strength is more than the eighth teas. But not sure on amount.Have to look it up Or ask my. Silkie breeding friend