Simulated Natural Nest Incubation~Experiment #1 So it begins....

[Tomtommom]

Spring chicks... sounds like it's meant to be!

 

[perchie.girl]

For what its worth water wigglers can also be found in Joke shops.... I like the water baloon Idea BEE but I think two zip lock plastic bags might be more roebust.... Just thiniking....

deb

 

[Beekissed]

For what its worth water wigglers can also be found in Joke shops.... I like the water baloon Idea BEE but I think two zip lock plastic bags might be more roebust.... Just thiniking....

deb

Actually, they weren't! They leaked and were easily punctured. The balloons were low inflated so their rubber is not taut and easily punctured, making for a tougher wiggler.

 

[Tomtommom]

Worst case scenario, put one balloon inside another.

 

[foxvalleyfarm]

Well I mostly made my nest today. I took a cardboard box, taped a garbage bag inside, put some dirt, then some leaves ontop of it, followed by hay and feathers. I also put some rocks to act as backups if my heating pad goes out. Now to find/make a water wiggle(I weent to 6 stores looking for one yesterday) and get some eggs. I'm also going to make a small rice pillow to put ontop.

 

[Beekissed]

Well I mostly made my nest today. I took a cardboard box, taped a garbage bag inside, put some dirt, then some leaves ontop of it, followed by hay and feathers. I also put some rocks to act as backups if my heating pad goes out. Now to find/make a water wiggle(I weent to 6 stores looking for one yesterday) and get some eggs. I'm also going to make a small rice pillow to put ontop.

Sounds like a good start! I love the rocks addition to the nesting site!

 

[foxvalleyfarm]

Yeah I read the instructions included with an incubator at my tsc and they suggesting putting rocks, so I thought about it and it made a lot of sense. Oh you can look at clarie's(yes the accessory store at the mall) for water wiggles. I just can't get to my local mall. I'm also thinking of adding a few non fertile eggs to help hold heat. Not sure yet.

 

[lazy gardener]

Elorraine52: Regarding incubating in a house with wood heat. I did it successfully last spring by putting the incubator in a room distant from the wood stove. I tucked it at the back of my kitchen counter, so it had walls on 2 sides, kept a bunch of towels handy to wrap it in at night when the temp. dropped. I did pay a bit more attention to the wood stove, but it was only for 3 weeks.

Re: water wigglers and feather dusters: Not every Walmart is equally blessed. I turned the store upside down in my area looking for both. My poor husband. He was following me through the store while I looked for feather dusters, when I didn't find one, I said, well, let's go look for a feather boa instead. Now, he thought either I'd totally taken a turn around the bend toward crazyville... or his evening was going to get pretty interesting! When I explained my purpose, he just shook his head, gave me the "look" and said "Uh-huh, that figures!"

So, instead of using a feather duster or a boa for a fake hen in the brooder, I'm thinking of using a bunch of polar fleece strips, loosely fashioned into a hanging chicken belly. Given the winter that we've had, I think the fleece would be more appropriate!

The last time I checked, incubator warehouse had bimetal thermostat kits for around $16.

 

[coop410silkies]

Lazy Gardener,

my two elderly sheeps are due for their shearing, and I would be happy to send you a tailing or two, or whatever the waste is called. It is said to be great as a winter mulch, too, but the shearer doesn't leave much. You could consider using one of those "space blankets" to help maintain constant temperatures. They are just thin sheets of Mylar that reflect heat back to its source and help to prevent heat loss. They are also known as emergency blankets, and they should be commonly available - and they don't cost a lot. People keep them in their cars for cold emergencies. I have one of the bimetal switches from IC. I'm not too sure how, or even IF it could work with heating pads. Mine is hooked up to low watt light bulbs as the heating source. AND - this important - since it is a "live" connection, you need to protect the electrical connection in such a way that no thing or no body can touch it. Rush Lane explained a lot about the use and installation of these thermostats in Sally Sunshine's Incubator Incubator in BYC. It could be a helpful source of information to you. Best of luck hatching,

 

[TexasLisa]

Elorraine52: Regarding incubating in a house with wood heat. I did it successfully last spring by putting the incubator in a room distant from the wood stove. I tucked it at the back of my kitchen counter, so it had walls on 2 sides, kept a bunch of towels handy to wrap it in at night when the temp. dropped. I did pay a bit more attention to the wood stove, but it was only for 3 weeks.

Re: water wigglers and feather dusters: Not every Walmart is equally blessed. I turned the store upside down in my area looking for both. My poor husband. He was following me through the store while I looked for feather dusters, when I didn't find one, I said, well, let's go look for a feather boa instead. Now, he thought either I'd totally taken a turn around the bend toward crazyville... or his evening was going to get pretty interesting! When I explained my purpose, he just shook his head, gave me the "look" and said "Uh-huh, that figures!"

So, instead of using a feather duster or a boa for a fake hen in the brooder, I'm thinking of using a bunch of polar fleece strips, loosely fashioned into a hanging chicken belly. Given the winter that we've had, I think the fleece would be more appropriate!

The last time I checked, incubator warehouse had bimetal thermostat kits for around $16.

You are hilarious!!!

Lisa