So i have some chickens that lay lots of eggs, but they have been bred to not want to sit on them..
just wanted to share plans for cheap incubator, and fun of growing chickens.. will post pictures soon.
they are currently hatching, i have 10+chiks so far, and there may be 20+ more eggs hatching soon!
an incubator is simply any box which you can maintain the temperature at exactly 100F degrees..
even just a degree more or less will effect hatching, but it is better to under-heat than over-heat.
My box is a plastic sterilite bin, filled 1/3rd with water.. a shower curtain covers top and floats on water..
water is heated to exactly 100F, by using adjustable-fish-tank-heater (cost about 20$ i already had one)
Probe thermometer (5$) is used for monitoring temperature on top of floating plastic, you keep it at 100!
Adjust water heater temp about 100 or slightly more.. then temp can be lowered by adding more water.
When the temp. stabilizes, add eggs, cover with layer of cotton, to help hold in heat, and cradle eggs.
..then wait about 20 days, turning the eggs 180* everyday, until hatching begins..
THEn.. slowly acclimate chicks to regular temps.. about a full week, keep them warm at about 95-90*F..
Keep one side of the box warm, keep other-side cool, so they can get away from the heat if needed.
Provide water in a shallow dish, i have a tiny ceramic bathtub i use, but just be sure they can't fall in.
handful of food on the floor, medicated chick food is recommended, regular crushed chicken food works.
Of course if money is no issue, you can buy an incubator for about 50$m but this method works fine..
cheap cheap cheap! feel free to post any questions, or information.
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Topic: hatching chickens ! ona budget incubator (Read 11736 times)