I'm starting a new hatch this Friday. We finally finished the 48 qt cooler hatcher we were working on, after picking up the thermostat switch at the feedstore. Never could get that WH thermo to work satisfactorily; I think it's the luck of the draw when you get one of those things. Anyway, it's done now and holds temp and humidity very well. The temp variance next to the light and at the far end away from the light is about 1 degree, so if we keep the temp right next to the barrier/shield about 100-100.4, it should work out great for eggs in most every part of the bator.
We will have to use the Hovabator as well as the Fridge-a-Bator to incubate and hatch in, plus I have a one-week stagger on the eggs in one of them, so needed a third unit for hatching. I love to hatch in the Fridge-a-Bator, but now will be incubating in it for the first time and will have to tilt the eggs three times a day because a regular turner won't fit. No big deal, but different than I'm used to.
Total cost, about $22. The switch cost $16.95 and the cooler was a $5 flea market find. We already had all over components. Oh, new sponge $1. Here is the Cooler Hatcher:
We will have to use the Hovabator as well as the Fridge-a-Bator to incubate and hatch in, plus I have a one-week stagger on the eggs in one of them, so needed a third unit for hatching. I love to hatch in the Fridge-a-Bator, but now will be incubating in it for the first time and will have to tilt the eggs three times a day because a regular turner won't fit. No big deal, but different than I'm used to.
Total cost, about $22. The switch cost $16.95 and the cooler was a $5 flea market find. We already had all over components. Oh, new sponge $1. Here is the Cooler Hatcher: