roller style of egg turner??

[flyweed]

Hi all

I am going to build a small Sportsman style cabinet bator to incubate 4 or 5 Emu eggs...and with Emu eggs they need to be rolled 3 times a day, rather than just being turned......anyway..does anyone know of a DIY roller type turner on the forums here, or a roller type turner that is available for sale somewhere on the net????

Thanks for any help
Dan

 

[Pele]

I have been thinking about constructing the same thing, and I'll try to describe what I have come up with:

My incubator is a styrofoam unit with a wire floor. I am putting down a small area of kitchen cabinet liner (the kind with a rough surface) in the middle. I will secure the liner to the floor via running string through the four corners and tying them to the wire.

Now, I am going to get a large cheap tupperware lid from Walmart (maybe more than one depending on number of eggs, and I am going to cut holes in the top so that the eggs rest within the holes, but also touch the liner underneath.

The last part will be a wood dowel that I will attach to the lid through trial and error ("glue... nope that didn't work.... cutting... ack my arm!"). The dowel will travel through the wall of the brooder via a small hole I cut there.

So, the theory is that when I push/pull on the dowel outside of the brooder, it will move the lid over the liner material, which will catch the eggs and roll them. I also like this set-up because I can create a track that will allow the eggs to change location within the incubator, which is recommended for still-airs.


I can update you on how well it works, if you like. I plan on spending 5 dollars on this venture

Of course, for Emu eggs, you'd need larger materials, but the principals should work the same.

 

[flyweed]

I think I am going to get some dowels and create sort of a "hot dog" style roller setup/insert that will fit into the bator..the eggs will lay on their sides on the "roller" and then I can roll them that way..Not sure of a power source just yet, but will figure something out.

Dan

 

[Pele]

Well, ive settled for styrofoam for breathability, and im very pleased with the results. All if the eggs turn in precisely the same amount, and di a full rotation. It only took me a morning to complete. Its not automated, but it sure beats handturning!