Newbie posters homemade incubator *pic*...

[Ruditchka]

Hi all, Love the site and all the information everyone has to share here! I ordered shipped eggs twice in the last week and hadn't very good luck with handling(although packing wasn't up to snuff either). First shipment was 14 eggs(Delaware/Barred Cochins), 5 were broken/cracked, 2 seem infertile, and the rest are incubating since 3/19. The second shipment came yesterday..., a dozen silkie/buff orpinton...., again 5 broken, but I also bought a dozen "Comet eggs" from a local farm(these eggs are jumo compared to the shipped ones!) that went into the incubator yesterday(3/27). I hatched a few years back in my homemade incubator with 6 of 9 hatching from a local egg source. Anyway, my incubator was made from materials in my garage for free. Its roughly 2'X2' X 4' long(wood bottom/sides. and I use a thick glass door from an old stereo rack component cabinet as the cover. Basically, if you have or can find an old stereo system rack cabinet w/glass door on it, you have just found yourself an incubator with nice see through window! I have a 75watt light for heat and pan with perlite/water mix in it(I used perlite since you can see readily if water is running low.... it turns bright white when drying). To adjust temps I put a divider in box, which can limit heating area better and fine adjust by moving glass top slightly to allow more or less "escape heat". Its a crude set-up but does the job well, and for free, I'm not complaining! I turn by hand right now since my turner is busted but it doesn't take long.... 1 minute. April 9th and 17th are my babies due dates and me and my daughter can't wait to parent these little wonders! I attached picture to show my simple set-up. Its pretty easy to build your own and hatch eggs and humidity is not as important as temperature I've found since I use no humidity scale whatsoever. Just make sure you have your screen a few inches above the water pan and you're good to go. Maybe during hatches you can add some sponges to increase humidity but I hadn't the need to do so. How do I post pictures??? First-timer here! Sorry

 

[pepper48_98]

I don't see any pics. Sounds interesting.

 

[Ruditchka]

Not sure if this is going to work for pics but here it goes!

 

[onthespot]

wow, that IS a simple setup! I have been thinking of building me a home made deal too... and almost forgot my manners here....

 

[Ruditchka]

Divider in box keeps one side cooler and may be just right for ones who've hatched to hang until different start date eggs have also. Once hatch is complete I pull the divider, re-adjust temps lower and use entire box to keep chicks in.

 

[jonty]

Wow! so simple but it works. What is it they say, the simple things in life are the best.