My home built incubator (7 day status report!)

[marcuscarr]

Here are the pictures of the incubator I am almost finished with.

My question is where do I put the fresh air holes, how big should they be and how many?

The clear dinner plate will be my window, sealed into a routed groove with silicon.

To keep the water wiggler, remote switch sensor and remote temp sensor from rolling around, I drilled a hole 3/4 of the way into the bottom of the incubator and stuck a ink pen case in the hole. The ink pen case and sensors are inside the wiggler.

The inside of the case is sealed with epoxy resin and the outside is just painted with what I had handy.

The heat is created by a 60w light bulb and circulated with a fan from a computer case. It is encased is hardware cloth and took the handle off a trowel and used the metal piece for a heat shield.

On day 18, the automatic turner comes out and a flat pan with drawer liner will go in it's place for the hatch.

Humidity will be controlled by a small container of water in the closest corner of the case.

Any advice, warnings or comments would be most welcome.

Marcus

 

[skeeter9]

That is an awesome incubator, Marcus!!!

As far as the holes go, I would think, based on the the fact that you want to circulate the fresh air, that you would want the bottom holes to be on the side with the fan, and the top holes to be on the opposite side so that the fan could move the fresh air across the eggs. Or maybe the holes by the fan could be on the side behind the fan? That way the fan could suck the air in and blow it across the bator??

Lori

 

[KingsCalls]

The holes can be just about anywhere, just not too close to the bottom. Don't make them but about 1/2" and you can get corks or some type of plugs to plug a couple of the holes if you need to. You may have to play with it a little to see how many holes you will need. I'd start with 2 and go from there.
NOW, When are you going to start selling them? (LOL) I think you did a great job and it looks really nice. Good luch with your first hatch in your new 'bator !

 

[marcuscarr]

Here is the hatching bin that will replace the turner on day 18.

 

[skeeter]

hey where did you get that thermostat???

 

[marcuscarr]

I picked that up a petsmart in the reptile section. It is usually used for snake and lizard housing. It was $49, but has a probe that reaches inside for the temp and two 110 outlets on the bottom that it controls.

I keeps the temp very stable.

Marcus

 

[4-H chicken mom]

Very nice bator. I would put the air holes behind the fan, so it can bring in the fresh. Maybe 1/4" to 1/2" size. You can always put duck tape over the holes if you don't have corks. The only thing I would be careful with is not letting the water wiggler get in the way of the egg turner. You can burn up the motor.

 

[skeeter]

thanks for the info,
im sure this wasnt your first one you ever built was it,looks really good,im anxious to see how it works,

 

[MissPrissy]

You have done a great job! I wish you many happy hatches!

 

[marcuscarr]

Thank you all for your kind comments. This is my third incubator. My first was a styrofoam that I never used. The second was a cooler based incubator that hatched out 2 of 12 chicks.

Here are the holes and popsicle stick "doors"