what features are important in a hatcher

[barkerbeau]

What features are important in a hatcher. I'm building this myself next weekend. I would hate to build this and have one of those moments that I kick myself in the butt for forgetting something. Going to be fairly small...16" x 16" x 6". Definitely need clear top. Anything else?

 

[sixshooter60]

I built mine using one of those medical styrofoam chests that 2inches thick.. its about 14 inches wide and 17 inches long i cut out part of the top and put plexiglass on outside and inside and sealed with silicone and metal tape. i put a computer fan at one end close to the top and drillled 5 small hole behind the fan to pull in fresh air i put a light socket on the side down from the fan them wired in a wafer themostate past the light the fan blows all the time and it blows the heat from the 40 watt light buld toward the wafer i drill a 3/4 inch hole on the other side for ventilation. i put a cookie sheet in the bottom with a small sponge and drilled a 1/2 inch hole in the end and put piece of pvc pipe in to add water without having to open it..i put 1/4 inch hardware cloth on the bottom over the water pan. i have hatched 4 batches of quail eggs so far and it holds perfect temp and humidity.. hope this helps ..

 

[cmom]

Mine is pretty simple and it works but it's much bigger than you have planned.

 

[georgiagail]

It would appear that good heat and humidity control (as well as the ability to routinely turn eggs) are the important factors in an incubator.

Gail

 

[al6517]

Aside from the most common features, I like my hatcher to be tall enough and big enough to provide plenty of room for them to hatch and move around without being able to jump or fall out. I also like a big clear window so I can watch for any problems, count and ID them as they hatch from the marked eggs.

Like this slide out feature and a huge HD viewing window.

 

[barkerbeau]

I like the design with the light bulb under the wire but I'm worried about getting the bulb and socket covered with crap. Is that a problem you have run in to?