Introduction: DIY Incubator: Using Old Watches and Polystyrene for Successful Hatching
Hello! In today's project, I will demonstrate how you can turn old things into something useful, and directly because of them, we will bring the chicks to life!
Supplies
Gather the necessary materials: 30mm thick styrofoam, three sheets measuring 50 x 50 cm. Obtain six pieces by dividing the three styrofoam sheets into two parts.
Step 1: BOX
Assemble a box using the obtained styrofoam pieces. Ensure a sturdy connection at the corners.
Step 2:
A store worker offered me two defective watches for free. I decided to use them as windows.
It's a pretty good idea to be able to see what's happening in the incubator without disturbing the temperature and humidity by permanently opening the lid.
Step 3: Prepare Heat Lamps
Install Heat Lamps in the Box. Place both heat lamps inside the created box.
Connect to the Controller: Connect both heat lamps to a temperature control unit.
Ensure correct wiring connections. I borrowed it for 20 days from my daughter. She agreed =)
This is a non-slip mat for children.
Links to buy a controller:
Step 4: Humidity Is Necessary Inside the Incubator.
For this, I use two metal containers that I fill with filtered water.
Step 5: Testing and Adjustment
We are placing 5 chicken eggs as the initial test, so as not to waste eggs in case of any mistakes. The incubator can hold approximately 70-80 chicken eggs!
We make sure to mark them to avoid errors with rotations later on.
Step 6: Testing and Adjustment
That's wonderful news! Achieving a hatch rate of 4 chicks out of 5 eggs in just 20 days is a great success! It's common to have a few eggs that might not develop due to various reasons, and it's certainly not within your control. Congratulations on the healthy chicks!
Given your successful experience, it sounds like you're ready to take on a larger incubation with 60 eggs for the next round. Just ensure that you continue to maintain optimal conditions, such as temperature, humidity, and regular egg turning. If you've identified any specific factors that contributed to your success, replicate those in the next incubation.
Best of luck with your expanded hatch, and may you have a high hatch rate with many healthy chicks! If you have any questions or need further advice, feel free to ask.
Step 7: The Process of Incubating
The process of incubating chicken eggs is essential for allowing embryo development and hatching of chicks. Here's a brief description of this process:
- Egg Selection: Choose fresh and healthy eggs from well-fed and healthy chickens. Eggs should be free from cracks or other defects.
- Egg Storage: Store the eggs in a cool and humid place before placing them in the incubator. It's important to store them with the pointed end down to maintain the natural position of the embryos.
- Temperature Setting: When placing the eggs in the incubator, ensure the temperature is correct. For chickens, the ideal temperature is around 37.5-38.3 degrees Celsius.
- Humidity: Adjust the humidity level according to the specific requirements of the chicken species you are trying to incubate. Humidity is crucial for the proper development of embryos.
- Egg Turning: Eggs should be turned at regular intervals, usually 3-4 times a day. Turning helps prevent embryos from sticking to the eggshell membrane.
- Ventilation: Ensure the incubator has good ventilation to maintain an optimal level of oxygen and carbon dioxide removal.
- Monitoring and Candling: Regularly monitor the eggs to detect any anomalies and remove inappropriate eggs. Candling is the process of shining a light through the egg to observe the development and detect any issues.
- Last Stage: Finally, a few days before hatching, stop egg turning and increase the humidity level. Chicks should start hatching within 21 days from the beginning of incubation.
It's important to closely monitor all these factors to ensure a successful incubation process and obtain healthy chicks at the end of the incubation period.
Participated in the
Stay Warm Contest
