My MEGA Homemade Incubator Build

[dheltzel]

Still using it! No major issues but my turner did break and I have never replaced it. I just turn them once a day by hand. I don't use any water except maybe in the winter when it gets really dry. It just requires some normal maintenance like tighten some bolts here and there. The flexwatt is still working fine. I have a light that adds some heat and I will change the wattage based on the temps to add more or less heat.

If I had to do it over I might add more insulation to hold temps better. Not a major issue by any means.

Thanks for the update! I can see that the turner is the trickiest part of this. Hopefully, using a Linear Actuator will remove some of the complications with gearing and such.

I assume you use a separate hatcher, did you build a large hatcher too?

 

[Rod-T]

Yes, I have been looking at these. The 12v DC ones on Amazon and eBay all reverse by reversing the polarity of the current. There are electrical diagrams on the internet for how to do this. I'm looking at doing it under control of an Arduino or Raspberry Pi computer.

This great idea.. they have 3 way switches for those.. so if you had 2 timers set to go up 1 set at 12 6 noon 6. Then second timer set at 3 9 3 9. It would turn eggs 8 times a day

 

[DMRippy]

Quote:
I will show you my mega hatcher if you show me what a Linear Actuator is and HOW it works!

 

[Rod-T]

I will show you my mega hatcher if you show me what a Linear Actuator is and HOW it works!

I googled it basically it's like a hydraulic cylinder that goes up and down. . You can order how long 6 inch lift or 8 or whatever.
You can order a 3 way switch for it.. I think we'd have to use timers to run the switches. 1 for ud at certain times of the day.. and the other would power it down certain times of the day..
Sounds like it would work..

 

[DMRippy]

I didn't build the hatcher. A good chicken friend made it for me. He also helped me make some brooders to hold all these chicks. I have been too chicken to fill all the brooders he made. (he made 3 that could hold 3 levels of chicks but I have 1 with 3 sections and converted another to just 2 levels.... the other is still waiting to be finished and used.)



The gray thing is the hatcher. The plywood thing is the mega bator.




This is a vent we have in the top. I don't really use it.



The drawers fully extend and was made custom for the baskets I use to hatch in. Each drawer will hold 9 baskets and each basket usually has no more than a doz eggs.





This is the bottom where the ceramic personal heater and vicks vaporizer and a personal fan live. I have a hard time keeping humidity up in this. Not sure why except it is SO BIG! I sometimes try two vaporizers but that usually gets it too hot. Have put pans of water too but just can't keep humidity above 50%.





This is the bottom of the drawers. We cut a piece of OSB to add some support along the edges.





This is a self that added some support but we had to cut to allow the heat to move up through the drawers.



Before we added anything. Just the shell.



I am not sure those are the final measurements. But wanted you to see the basic sketch we worked from.

If I would change anything I would add a solid bottom so I could add casters. I might do that one day. Not planning to move it anytime soon. Might add some lights somehow. I use the same thermostat as I did on the incubator.

 

[DMRippy]

Quote:
I need to see some plans on how that could work. How do you control the speed? Timers are easy. you buy them that will turn them 6 or 8 times a day. That is what I used with the motor till the gears broke. I would like to fix it but the plastic gears are a no go. I have a good motor but it is too fast. My son tossed around the idea of using my old screw guns. I have one that he mounted to show me what he was talking about. I don't remember if he was going to use the original motor or what.

It is working just find turning once a day. Not the best but I can't remember to turn it 3 times a day so 1 a day makes sure they are not in the same position overnight.

 

[Rod-T]

I need to see some plans on how that could work.  How do you control the speed?  Timers are easy.  you buy them that will turn them 6 or 8 times a day.  That is what I used with the motor till the gears broke.  I would like to fix it but the plastic gears are a no go.  I have a good motor but it is too fast.  My son tossed around the idea of using my old screw guns.  I have one that he mounted to show me what he was talking about.  I don't remember if he was going to use the original motor or what. 

It is working just find turning once a day.  Not the best but I can't remember to turn it 3 times a day so 1 a day makes sure they are not in the same position overnight.

the few that I looked at raised 1 inch per second. . So for 8 inches it would take 8 second to turn.. that sounds ok to me..

 

[Rod-T]

I'm thinking of building a incubator that's smaller then yours..jus 6 trays..3 levels 2 trays per level.. maybe a top mount hatcher that's big enough to hatch 1 level worth of eggs.. so stager ed hatches weekly

 

[DMRippy]

Quote: That would take an expensive timer to control to the second. So let me guess mine is 10 inches. 10 seconds would turn it 6 times in one minute with a reg timer. it would end up in the same position. I don't remember but I think I had to run it for 2 or 3 mins to get it to stop in a new position. It would stop up or down or in the middle (flat).

 

[DMRippy]

I'm thinking of building a incubator that's smaller then yours..jus 6 trays..3 levels 2 trays per level.. maybe a top mount hatcher that's big enough to hatch 1 level worth of eggs.. so stager ed hatches weekly

My only issue with staggered hatches in the same incubator is you have to raise the humidity too much. Not a good thing.