Re-fridge-a-bator in the works (pics)

[lil'chickies]

elliemay - I am actually building one out of a fridge/freezer like that. I am putting all my electrical junk and stuff in the top and making the bottom for eggs and hatching. That way if I need to do something to it, add water or adjust it, I can open the top door and not disturb the eggs.

 

[BellLisamo]

lil'chickies :

I am planning to use two thermostats, the main one set for 99.5 and the secondary set for 101. Just in case the first one doesn't shut it off, the second one will without burning up my eggs. Looks really great!! Wish you all the luck with it and such a good hubby to help you!!

good idea!​

 

[elliemay0305]

lil'chickies :

elliemay - I am actually building one out of a fridge/freezer like that. I am putting all my electrical junk and stuff in the top and making the bottom for eggs and hatching. That way if I need to do something to it, add water or adjust it, I can open the top door and not disturb the eggs.

great. let me knowhow it goes. i am alway on here looking at other peoples ideas and thinking if i can do something like it or just getting a little brainstorm off of it. i never thought about using a fridge! so can you use any kind of "box" as long as its insulated??

 

[lil'chickies]

I figure a fridge is already insulated to keep cold in so why not keep heat in. We are going to put windows in the doors so we can see what's going on in there. I'm figuring out placement of my thermostats right now then tomorrow, building!!

 

[Huny]

Wow, first time I have got on BYC since Friday! I went through withdrawls! I'm going to see if we can round up some eggs. I'm also bidding on some (Shhhh! Don't tell hubby). Is the incubator ready for the first 54 this week?

 

[BellLisamo]

Quote:
DH is hooking up the trays right now!!!! Itll be done by tonight!!!

 

[Whispering Winds]

That is great!! I saw a junked apartment size fridge one day last week setting at the curb, and thought what a great incubator that would make!!! Keep those pics coming, as this just fascinates me. My husband is an electrician, so this wouldn't be rocket science for him at all. Me, completely different story!!!

 

[BellLisamo]

pics coming tomorrow, the 4 turners are in place, and he added the thermostat and a metal heating reflector thingamagig.... lol

youll see!

 

[dancingbear]

Quote:
freezer part? im lost. this is a medium sized fridge. so it has only 1 side if thats what you mean???

yea i was talking about if you could use a fridge that has the top part freezer. if you would be able to turn both areas in to useable space. like the fridge the bator and the freezer the brooder.

It looks like it may actually be an upright freezer, rather than a fridge, maybe. I've never seen a fridge with no freezer compartment at all. Unless it's the old kind that had the metal freezer part, that might have been removed.

My DH and I have been talking about using an old freezer for a bator. We don't have a good place to put one that big, right now. I'm making space for a cabinet style one, but not as big as a fridge.

I thought about if we used a fridge, to use the freezer compartment as a hatcher, so I could stagger hatches in one appliance.I thought I'd leave the wire shelves in, covered with the rubbery non-slip mesh to reduce vibration. You could put auto turners right on the shelves. Then move eggs to the freezer compartment, with higher humidity, to hatch after day 18. Put a sheet of parchment paper on the bottom, cover that with non-slip shelf liner for the chicks to have good footing on. Then cleanup would be easy after each hatch, pull out the parchment, wipe out with vinegar to clean and disinfect, (peroxide is good, too) wash the shelf liner, or replace it. Ready for the next hatch!

Nice job, it looks great! Keep us updated!

 

[BellLisamo]

Quote:
yea i was talking about if you could use a fridge that has the top part freezer. if you would be able to turn both areas in to useable space. like the fridge the bator and the freezer the brooder.

It looks like it may actually be an upright freezer, rather than a fridge, maybe. I've never seen a fridge with no freezer compartment at all. Unless it's the old kind that had the metal freezer part, that might have been removed.

My DH and I have been talking about using an old freezer for a bator. We don't have a good place to put one that big, right now. I'm making space for a cabinet style one, but not as big as a fridge.

I thought about if we used a fridge, to use the freezer compartment as a hatcher, so I could stagger hatches in one appliance.I thought I'd leave the wire shelves in, covered with the rubbery non-slip mesh to reduce vibration. You could put auto turners right on the shelves. Then move eggs to the freezer compartment, with higher humidity, to hatch after day 18. Put a sheet of parchment paper on the bottom, cover that with non-slip shelf liner for the chicks to have good footing on. Then cleanup would be easy after each hatch, pull out the parchment, wipe out with vinegar to clean and disinfect, (peroxide is good, too) wash the shelf liner, or replace it. Ready for the next hatch!

Nice job, it looks great! Keep us updated!

its a freezer, your right! but i liked the name, what would i call a freezer bator. freez-a-bator??? mmmm no. lol

my water pan will be right under the hatcher, that hatcher is that wire tray at the bottom, so its kinda the same idea right?