Thursday, May 6, 2010
DIY Incubator & Brooder
So, got the hens, got the rooster, got nesting boxes, everything is in place...Why won't the hens sit on their eggs? Well, no need to get frustrated with a chicken! Let's take matters into our own hands and make our own incubator.
So, after many Internet searches, I learned what basics were needed and was surprised at how simple this will be to make. I made this incubator out of scrap materials that I had laying around. It cost me nothing to do! With some creative thinking, you can find what you need:
1. Box to hold everything-I used a plastic container.
2. Insulation-I used a scrap piece of sheet insulation leftover from another project (if you don't have this, you can use an old cooler or place a smaller box inside the larger container, make sure you have at least 1" clearance, and stuff newspaper into the gap. Tape over the top of the gap to seal.
3. Water pan-I used an old cake pan (it was being used as a feed dish)
4. Grate-Hardware cloth is what I wanted, but all I could find was a broken grate from a fluorescent light.
5. Heat source-I had an old ceramic light bulb fixture mounted to a 6"X6" board (25W bulb).
6. Electrical Cord-There were several dead appliances in the garage...I just cut one of the cords.
7. Thermometer-I found one that also displays humidity (optimum is 99F & 50% humidity)
8. Chimney-I used an old cardboard tube (a cardboard oatmeal container would work, too!).
9. Cover-I had the cover for the container but I wanted to be able to look inside at the temp and eggs so I used a pane of glass laid over the top.
Putting it together:1. Line the inside of the container with insulation (if using an old cooler go to step 2).
2. Place cake tin on bottom.
3. Place grate on cake tin (should be the size of the bottom of the container).
4. Place light in center of grate.
5. Place chimney around light (make sure it doesn't touch the bulb or the top).
6. Insert thermometer/hygrometer so it is visible from the top.
7. Place cover on top.
8. Place container in an area that stays a constant temperature.
9. Put 2 cups of water in cake tin (make sure tin doesn't go dry).
10.Turn on light and let it sit for 1 hour (this is to test the temperature).
11.If temp is too low, get a higher wattage bulb (too high and you should lower wattage or vent cover).
12.Once temp and humidity are stable, you are ready for eggs.
How to handle eggs:
1. Mark each egg with an X on one side and the date they should be ready on the other side (chicken eggs should hatch in 21 days +/- 2 days).
2. Lay eggs in a natural position (the large end should be higher than the pointed end)
3. Be sure to turn each egg at least 3 times a day (make sure you turn them an odd number of times).
4. Humidity should stay at 50% for days 1-18 and then be raised to 75% for days 19-21 (add small cups of water to raise humidity).
5. Watch for chicks to pip through (this is the exciting part!!!).
6. Allow chicks to stay in the incubator at least 24 hours (they can survive for 3 days after they hatch without food or water).
7. After 24 hours, place the chicks in a brooder.
Now to the brooder:
1. I use a cardboard box lined with 1/4" of sand.
2. I use a crookneck lamp over the edge for heat (temp should stay 99F).
3. Be sure to provide water and chick crumbles (make sure water container will not allow chicks to get into water or they will drown).
4. Cleanliness is key so keep brooder clean and change water and food daily.
5. I like to place a piece of split firewood inside for a perch (chicks love to explore and climb).
6. Once chicks have their feathers, they can go outside (make sure they are in a secure area!!!).7. Keep a light for heat if the temperature gets cool at night.
Congratulations!!!! In about 10-12 weeks you should have some fine looking chickens. If you want to eat the roosters (some people do), this is a good time for the freezer. If you are wanting egg layers, you still need to wait until they are 6-9 months old before they start laying. If you are blending these chickens into an existing flock, be sure to watch them closely and monitor for excessive pecking (some pecking is to be expected). Separate the "mean" chickens if pecking doesn't stop (even if she is your favorite).
