Potato Box Incubator

I made another incubator.

I found this potato box at a thrift shop for $8.

We cut out a place in the lid and routed a channel so that a pane of glass can be inserted for observation. The glass is out now because the glare from my kitchen lights made it impossible to see inside.

The light is wired in the bottom part of the box where the little drawer is.

The thermostat is wired in the compartment where the eggs will rest.

A water wiggler, thermometer/hydrometer and the set up is complete and ready to regulate the heat.

For those who are still unsure about the wiring I made a photo of how the wiring is completed.

I cannot explain any better than I have in the other two incubator posts so maybe looking at this photo will help take away the rest of the mystery.

For those who have questioned the water wiggler. This is a digital thermometer/hydrometer with a probe and a water wiggler.

The probe on the thermometer is threaded into the water wiggler and placed along side the eggs. The temperature on the inside mimics the temperature of the inside of the eggs. The ideal hatching temperature inside the egg is 99.5 degrees F.

Use this setting of 99.5F to regulate your thermostat to turn on and off the light bulb to maintain the correct heat.

I am very pleased so far with this bator. The temps are steady and holding. The probe temp is holding at 99.9 and the humidity is around 40% and holding.

I have 11 true blue/black Americauna eggs set in the potato box 'bator. We are currently on day 8. I have candled the eggs and see veins and the embryos. The chicks are growing! I have had a real heck of a time with all of the sudden changes in the weather. The humidity went crazy when the rains came (not complaining!). The temperatures began to swing with the rain and the box had to be moved to the study where the servers are keeping that room a constant 77 degrees. As if that wasn't enough the other day the buld blew and the temps fell to 80 before I knew it.

Wish me luck on a good hatch.

I wish you could see the real color of these eggs. They are such a lovely shade of blue.

Other links: my styrofoam cooler incubator and my bread box incubator.

Good luck to all of you who are inspired to build your own incubator.