The Incubators Thread!!! Come Join And Learn!!!

[BlueBaby]

I am soooooo sorry if this has been asked before or if I am in the wrong place to ask this.

I am building an incubator that is 30 inches long by 19 inches wide with a slanted top that is 11 inches at one end and 22 inches at the other. With that being said, I want to use r-board (blue outdoor sheet insulation) as the insulation. Is this going to be alright for insulation or what maybe better that is cheap or free as I am building on a budget of like $0.00 or less.

I know that people are using coolers and fridges that are made with thick insulation in them already. I figured if I tripled the sheets that would equal to 3/8 inch thick that would be ok for insulation. I used 3/4 inch plywood for the walls and 2x2's for the framing. Yes its heavy, but I wanted to use it for a lot of hatches and possibly sell it and upgrade later. I want to use 2 40 watt light bulbs for heat also. Any help on this situation is appreciated greatly! Thanks.

Mine is a store bought one that doesn't hold as many eggs as you are wanting to hatch out. I have never built my own incubator, however here is a link that may help you to find what you are looking for:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/newsearch?search=homemade+incubators

 

[BlueBaby]

Ok, I will be setting some eggs on December 11th, and will be in the BYC 2017 New Years hatch-a-long. I'm not sure how many eggs that I will be setting in my incubator, but they will be from my own flock and the chicks will be the Blue and the Splash Australorps. I have 6 eggs put aside already, and wherever happens to be laid on Saturday and Sunday. Sunday they go into the incubator.

 

[BlueBaby]

Ok, so today is December 10th. I set 6 eggs at 6:30 PM tonight in my incubator. There are 3 eggs from out of my Splash Australorp hen, and 3 eggs from out of her Blue Australorp hatch-mate sister. The Daddy is again going to be from out of Flash, my Splash Australorp Rooster.

 

[aliciaplus3]

So I am curious I am planning to set eggs here in another week or so (I promised DH I wouldn't hatch chicks in dec) I remember last year getting frozen eggs in Jan and didn't know if anyone had any help full hints for preventing it? Ok I work from 7.30 am till 5 pm so gathering eggs more often isn't an option. I had considered putting a heating pad in the nesting box for the coldest days... has anyone done this? I did move all my nesting boxes inside the coop which I hope will help but I live in colorado.

 

[BlueBaby]

So I am curious I am planning to set eggs here in another week or so (I promised DH I wouldn't hatch chicks in dec) I remember last year getting frozen eggs in Jan and didn't know if anyone had any help full hints for preventing it? Ok I work from 7.30 am till 5 pm so gathering eggs more often isn't an option. I had considered putting a heating pad in the nesting box for the coldest days... has anyone done this? I did move all my nesting boxes inside the coop which I hope will help but I live in colorado.

Having your nesting boxes inside of the coop will help in keeping them directly out of any windchill factors. Yes, a heating pad might help also, but you wouldn't want it too hot or it could cook your eggs.

 

[aliciaplus3]

Having your nesting boxes inside of the coop will help in keeping them directly out of any windchill factors. Yes, a heating pad might help also, but you wouldn't want it too hot or it could cook your eggs.

I will watch this thank you for the advice

 

[jessbug]

So I want to hatch eggs for a school project. I also wanted to make an incubator... any ideas?

 

[BlueBaby]

So I want to hatch eggs for a school project. I also wanted to make an incubator... any ideas?

On making your own incubator, try this link and see if there are any ideas for one that you would like to do:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/newsearch?search=Home+made+incubators

 

[BlueBaby]

Ok, so here's an update on my 6 Blue and Splash Australorp eggs that I set at 6 PM on Dec. 10th from my own flock. They are due to hatch out for the New Year:

I candled them late last night before I went to bed, and I have seen movement going on in all 6 of them. They kind of resemble a little bean in a way. Anyways, if they are moving around like that, there is life going on.

 

[AustralorpsAU]

Ok, so here's an update on my 6 Blue and Splash Australorp eggs that I set at 6 PM on Dec. 10th from my own flock. They are due to hatch out for the New Year:

I candled them late last night before I went to bed, and I have seen movement going on in all 6 of them. They kind of resemble a little bean in a way. Anyways, if they are moving around like that, there is life going on.

Any updates? Ive started collecting so hopefully soon I will test some in the bator.