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

[ocap]

Tell me about this float test..I think I've read about it but am not sure if I have the idea right.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...ng-egg-viability-for-late-or-overdue-hatching

 

[Beekissed]

Here's a few pics of my brooder heating plans....this may or may not be subject to change according to how well this slip pillow performs or if it is just too dirty after a bit, at which time I'll just cover the contraption with a pillow case and be done with it. If I abandon the pillow, I'll likely use the pillow case to protect the heating pad from soiling and then pile bedding on top of the structure like the lady did in the video, except will keep both ends open for coming and going.

This is the bendable frame I'm using that will conform to just about any shape or height I want to adjust it to simply by bending it. It's just a piece of 2x2 welded wire fencing with some Gorilla tape on the edges to protect from the sharp ends. The heating pad is strapped to the underside with a couple of bungee toggles.



I can adjust this lower or higher, as I see fit for the comfort of the chicks and this frame is quite sturdy...even if the chicks climb on top it's not going to collapse.


This is my original "broody" pillow that I had started out using in the nest but was too big and occlusive to the nest so it may be used for the brooder heater...there is a pocket especially for the wire frame and heating pad that velcroes shut.









I can either hump it up to allow for standing up under it or huddling next to the sides while sleeping....





Or square it off to make for even heat all the way across...I can also make one end higher and one end lower if need be, just by bending the wire in that manner.

 

[lazy gardener]

Lacy Blues: I love your little drawing. That really needs to be made into a wall hanging!!!!! You could make money getting that published. I'd take an 8 x 10 !

 

[Beekissed]

On the number 3 setting, the heating pad gives off a steady 98* on the surface. I'll test the next setting up...I think the heat plates for chicks are at 100-101.

 

[Beekissed]

On the number 3 setting, the heating pad gives off a steady 98* on the surface. I'll test the next setting up...I think the heat plates for chicks are at 100-101.

The next setting up jumped it to 107...broody temps...but she'd be cooling down from those a little after the chicks hatched, I'm thinking. I'll have to experiment with the temps when this thing is installed into the brooder. I'm getting 10 meat chicks this weekend that will be giving this a whirl, so I'll report back. It's likely I won't use the broody pillow for the meat chicks....messy little farts, they are.

 

[LindaB220]

After searching around, I found the link for this chart. It's quite a bit larger and easier to see at

http://www.poultryhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Poster_Chick_Embryo_Dev_English.pdf

Thank you for posting this chart BoereMeisie. It really helped me identify the age of one of my chicks that gave up.

Thanks to you both I have bookmarked this. Terrific.

 

[Lacy Blues]

Lacy Blues: I love your little drawing. That really needs to be made into a wall hanging!!!!! You could make money getting that published. I'd take an 8 x 10 !

I hadn't even considered that. A wall hanging? Is that a picture or fabric quilted thing?

On the number 3 setting, the heating pad gives off a steady 98* on the surface. I'll test the next setting up...I think the heat plates for chicks are at 100-101.

On the eco-glo heat plates, I don't think the chicks touch that bottom surface, I could very well be wrong but the pictures that I've seen show them standing under it with space over the top of them.

 

[Beekissed]

I hadn't even considered that. A wall hanging? Is that a picture or fabric quilted thing?

On the eco-glo heat plates, I don't think the chicks touch that bottom surface, I could very well be wrong but the pictures that I've seen show them standing under it with space over the top of them.

On the Premier1 site they said the chicks needed to have contact with the bottom of the plate because it wasn't a radiant heat but a contact heat. I think this heating pad will be more contact than radiant though I think it will hold the heat better in the space below it than the plates because one can shape it in such a way as to conserve the heat into the chicks.

 

[LindaB220]

My boy friend says he sure does wish some one in my family tree had shared some love of house keeping genes with me....

Bahahahaha, me too.

 

[enola]

Bahahahaha, me too. 

It's a good thing he really loves me. I am supposed to be cleaning house right now..........