OK...trying to build a Bator

[KingsCalls]

We discussed fixing the old bator up and decided to do that but, my wife suggested....why not try to build our own also. Hey, that was o.k. with me! We went to Lowe's and bought the following things...........A therm/hygrometer (ditigal), a hot water heater thermostat, a
cord with a ceramic light socket on the end, 2 - 60Watt bulbs, 2 peices of plexaglass(8"x9"), some gorrila glue, a pan (water) and 1" thick styrofoam (14" x 48") 5 peices. We are going to make it 22" square with 2 windows in the top. >>>> I do have a question tho......where to put the light bulb? Any one with any ideas, we'd love to hear them!<<<<
Also, If you was to see or hear of sparks flying on a mountain top in east Tn. well, I've probably wired something up wrong! Everyone keep your fingers crossed, this is a 1st for us.......

 

[brooster]

i would sugest you get a fan. If you put only the light bulb in, then all the heat is going to rise to the top of the bator and melt it. I would make it simmilar to the hova with the two windows, then mount the lightbulb between them. Next i would put in the fan where it blows the hot air off the top, but not pointing at the eggs.

 

[speckledhen]

The light bulb needs to not be too close to the eggs and perhaps even use a piece of aluminum flashing bent as a deflector. If you can arrange it so the fan blows across the water trough/pan and at the light, it will circulate the warmed humid air. See this thread with pics of the Fridge-a-Bator for placement of the parts:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=22395

 

[Basia]

wow... my DH took an aquarium... put a food warmer tray in it with bricks on the top... an old computer fan mounted to blow the air under the warmer (where the eggs were) a thermometer/hydrometer inside and a dish of water on top of the bricks... worked perfect... of course turning was by hand. (even when there was a power outage the bricks held the temp for a while and the eggs were fine) and you can view from all angles.
This topic is of great interest to me... I am always trying to improve things.
Can't wait to hear about the beautiful chicks that you hatch!

 

[KingsCalls]

OK..went and got a fan for the bator project. But, where does the thermostat need to be located ? Near the top? Near the top of the eggs? Or anywhere in the bator?
THANKS AHEAD OF TIME......

 

[arlee453]

Put the thermostat so you are measuring temps as close to the tops of the eggs as you can manage it.

The temps generally recommended are to be measured at the top of the eggs. Hope that helps!

Let us know know it goes...

 

[Fancy Feather Poultry]

I wouldnt use 60W, I tryed a 40W and it went to 140 degrees!, try a 25W

 

[skeeter]

you can put the thermostat any where,but the wiggler needs to go in the middle of the eggs,all it is for is to regulate the heat and you judge that by the temp in the wiggler,wiggler temp too high turn down the thermostat a smidge too low turn it up it will probally take a couple days to get it regulated out