Incubators for chicken eggs automatic scheme. The ideal maternity hospital for chickens, or how to make an incubator with your own hands at home

In the presence of certain materials, the incubator can be made independently. However, the successful incubation of eggs depends on a number of factors, and in order not to spoil them in the first laying, it is important to anticipate all possible issues in the work of the manufactured structure. Consider one of the popular options for creating such a device.

Characteristics of incubators with automatic egg turning

In addition to incubators with "manual" or semi-automatic egg turning, there are automatic incubators that minimize human intervention in the hatching process. According to the time set by the owner, the automation itself performs the required coup, and the eggs do not lie in one place.

Such machines can be built at home, but first of all, it is important to take into account all its possible pros and cons.

Advantages

• The undeniable advantages of a home-made apparatus can be considered the following features:
• low cost compared to ready-made purchased models;
• economy in terms of energy consumption;
• independent selection of the required internal volume, depending on the personal needs of each farmer;
• high maintainability (if any part fails, the master will always be able to replace it without outside help);
• versatility (with the correct assembly of the structure, a home-made incubator can be used not only for breeding chickens, but also for breeding chicks of other domestic or even exotic birds).

In addition, if the components for the future device can be found at home, then you will get the finished incubator for free.

disadvantages

This group of characteristics for the most part includes disadvantages associated with inaccurate calculations and the use of old materials.

• Therefore, the possible disadvantages of homemade devices are as follows:
• the possibility of breakage of some part of the device (especially if the incubator is made from old technology);
• an independent increase in temperature or power outages, which leads to the death of the embryos;
• unattractive appearance;
• lack of a manufacturer's warranty that allows you to replace the device if it breaks down.

Requirements for homemade automatic incubators

Without knowledge of the technical conditions of incubation, not a single assembled incubator will be able to provide good work productivity, therefore, before starting work, it is worth considering some requirements for automatic structures:

• egg incubation takes at least 21 days, which means that the incubator should work exactly as long (without a break);
• eggs should be placed inside the device at a distance of at least 1 cm from each other, which is important to consider when choosing a specific pallet;
• along with the change in the stage of development of the embryo, the temperature inside the incubator should also change;
• automatic egg turning should be performed slowly, at intervals of 2 times a day;
• to maintain the optimal level of humidity and ventilation, a home-made mechanism must be provided with a regulator of the necessary parameters (a thermostat, as well as sensors that scan the temperature level and humidity level).

Important!To use a homemade incubator for breeding different types of birds, it is useful to purchase a ready-made universal tray that ensures the timely turning of their eggs.

How to make an automatic egg incubator with your own hands

If you are going to create an incubator yourself, then one of the good solutions is to use an old refrigerator. Of course, it will have to be understaffed and correctly selected consumables.
To do this, you need to make sure that the finished design:

• had holes for ventilation and maintaining humidity at a level of 40–60% (drilled in the case, after which tubes are placed in them to protect against the interaction of air with glass wool);
• provided for the regulation and maintenance of temperature indicators;
• ensured the airing speed of the eggs at the level of 5 m/s;
• guaranteed a timely turn of the eggs.

However, all this will be calculated during direct collection, and first you should correctly calculate the size of the device and select all consumables.

How to calculate the size?

The dimensions of the finished home-made incubator will directly affect the number of eggs for one bookmark, so if it is important for you to get as many chicks as possible at a time, then we suggest focusing on the following approximate values:

As for the external dimensions of the device, they depend on the selected material, because, for example, the foam will be more voluminous than cardboard. In addition, in the manufacture of structures with several floors, completely different technologies will be used, which means that calculations will be made taking into account the parameters of each tier.

The size of the incubator will also be affected by:

• type of heating system;
• placement of lamps;
• placement of trays.

In order not to make mistakes in the calculations when designing an incubator, it is important to adhere to a pre-compiled scheme, which for a small device for 45 eggs can look like this:

Consumables and tools for work

The device of the incubator has much in common with the device of the refrigerator, which will make a good case: the walls of the refrigeration equipment perfectly retain heat, and existing shelves can be used as shelving.

Did you know? On the territory of Russia, the first mass production of incubators dates back to the beginning of the 19th century, and the volumes of such machines were very impressive: 16–24 thousand eggs could be placed in them at a time.

The main list of necessary tools and materials will look like this:

• an old refrigerator (it can be the oldest model, but it’s whole and working);
• bulbs for 25 W (4 pcs.);
• fan;
• metal rod or chain with an asterisk;
• a drive for turning eggs (for example, a gearmotor from a car windshield wiper);
• drill;
• thermostat;
• thermometer;
• screwdriver and screws.

How to make an incubator with an automatic flip of trays with your own hands: video

Approximate scheme of the finished product:

Step by step manufacturing instructions

The whole process of making a home incubator from an old refrigerator will take only a few hours, as it consists of a small number of basic steps:

1. Development of drawings showing a clear location of each part of the future incubator.
2. Dismantling the refrigerator and removing all unnecessary details: the freezer, trays on the doors and other elements of secondary importance.
3. Organization of the ventilation system (one hole must be drilled in the ceiling of the refrigerator, and three more holes must be drilled in the lower part, closer to the bottom, inserting plastic tubes into them).
4. Fastening sheets of expanded polystyrene to the inner walls of the case (you can use double-sided mounting tape or small self-tapping screws).
5. Heating system installation. Prepared 4 incandescent lamps must be fixed at the bottom and at the top of the refrigerator body (two each), and the lower lamps should not interfere with the placement of a water tank (small self-tapping screws can be used for fastening).
6. Installation of a purchased thermostat on the outer part of the door and its connection to the heating elements.
7. Creation of a turning mechanism using a car gearbox. To begin with, using metal strips and self-tapping screws, fix this element to the bottom of the refrigerator. Then, inside the unit, install a wooden frame and attach the trays to it, just so that they can tilt 60° first towards the door and then in the opposite direction. Attach a rod connected to the tray on the opposite side of the refrigerator to the gear motor (the motor will act on the rod, which, in turn, will begin to tilt the tray and provide rotation).
8. Installation of a viewing window. Cut a small hole on the outside of the refrigerator door and fill it with glass or clear plastic. Reinforce all joints with adhesive tape or sealant.
9. Installing a tray with water and attaching a thermometer inside the refrigerator, only so that it can be seen through the viewing window.

In conclusion, you should check the performance of all mechanisms by turning on the device for several hours.

Laying eggs in an incubator

Before being placed in the incubator, all eggs must lie in the room for at least 8 hours, because if before that they were in cool conditions, then when placed in a warm incubator, condensation is not excluded.
An equally important stage of preparation is the culling of unsuitable eggs.

So, specimens are not suitable for further incubation:

• small size;
• with cracks, growths or any other uncharacteristic features on the shell;
• with freely moving yolk;
• with a displaced air chamber (more than two millimeters).

The next stage is the direct laying in the incubator, which also has its own characteristics:

• on one tray it is desirable to lay eggs close to each other in size, and preferably from the same species of birds;
• first of all, the largest eggs should be laid on the trays, and after them, taking into account the incubation period, medium and small ones (on average, at least 4 hours should pass between the laying of each next group);
• if possible, it is worth moving the laying time to the evening hours, so that the chicks should appear in the morning;
• it is desirable to place the incubator in a room with stable temperatures, so that it is easier for the device to maintain indicators inside;
• for complete control over the incubation process, get yourself a calendar in which you need to note the date of the bookmark, the numbers and time of the coup, as well as the date of the control candling of the eggs.

The duration of incubation of different types of birds has significant differences, which means that the eggs should be turned over in different ways.
In addition, the conditions for the development of embryos will also differ:

• for chicken eggs, the temperature inside the device must be monitored every hour, in the first 11 days maintaining it at +37.9 ° C, with a humidity of not more than 66%;
• for duck eggs, the optimal indicators are + 38 ... + 38.2 ° C, at a humidity of 70%.

Did you know?Chickens perfectly remember faces and are able to retain in memory up to hundreds of images, not only human, but also animals.

Temperature regime for different types of poultry

A suitable temperature is one of the most important conditions for incubation, without which the hatching of chicks is simply impossible.

For each type of bird, these indicators are purely individual, so when laying eggs for chickens, ducks, geese or turkeys, you should focus on the following values:

In general, a home-made incubator is a good solution for both those who are just trying their hand at poultry farming, and for experienced farmers who do not want to spend extra money on the purchase of ready-made equipment. By equipping the structure with automatic egg turning, 80–90% hatchability of chicks can be achieved.

Homemade incubator can be made at home. To do this is quite simple. There have been cases when chickens were hatched even just under the included table lamp. But it is preferable to make an incubator according to some of the rules presented below.

Creation features

Quite a few poultry farmers use factory-made incubators, which, of course, can be purchased, but it will cost much more than if you make a similar design yourself. The frame of this unit is made using wooden beams, the cladding on the outside can be made with plywood. For insulation, it is permissible to use foam. Under the ceiling of the chamber in the center, you need to place an axis on which you should tightly fix the tray intended for eggs. On the axis, by means of a steel pin, which must be brought out through the top panel, it will be possible to turn the tray with eggs. It is recommended to use the following dimensions as the dimensions of the tray: 25 x 40 cm, while the height should be 5 cm. This element can be made using a strong steel mesh, the cells of which have dimensions of 2 x 5 cm, the thickness of the wire should be equal to two millimeters.

From below, the tray must be covered with a fine mesh based on nylon. Eggs should be laid vertically with the blunt end up. A control thermometer should be installed above the tray intended for eggs, which will prevent contact between objects and the heating element during turning. The temperature reading scale should be brought out through the top panel.

Second stage of work

A homemade incubator at the bottom of the case should have four lamps, the power of which is 25 watts each. Each pair of lamps can be protected with a steel sheet, the thickness of which is 1 millimeter. Their installation must be done on two red bricks. In order to ensure the required level of humidity, a water bath must be installed, its size is 10 x 20 x 5 cm. Steel can be used as its basis. U-shaped tapes made of copper wire should be attached to the bath, fabric should be hung on them, which will significantly increase the evaporation surface. At the next stage, you can start working on the ceiling of the chamber, in which about ten holes are drilled, each with a diameter of 30 mm. When making a homemade incubator, in its lower part you need to make the same holes in the amount of twelve pieces. This system will provide access to fresh air.

Features of the manufacture of the incubator body

The base of the case may be an old refrigerator. Such a chamber is already insulated, which eliminates the need to carry out work on its compaction. It will be necessary to supplement the structure with legs in order to provide it with more impressive rigidity, two boards must be strengthened on the body, in the lower part they must be paired with bars, screws can be used as a fastener.

It is recommended to make a recess in the board for the flanges. A bearing is installed in the central part. To prevent axle displacement, a threaded bushing must be installed. Fastening is done with long screws to the axis. The frames should consist of two elements, each of which has the projections necessary to hold the trays in the position in which they were installed.

When a homemade incubator is made, a cable must be threaded into the upper hole, which is fixed on the engine. Inside the case should be sheathed with insulation, which can be used as fiberglass. In all ventilation holes you need to install pieces of plastic tubes. Refrigerators have a chute for water drainage; in the manufacture of this design, it must be mounted in the opposite direction.

Features of the compaction

Self-made incubators, created with their own hands, are quite often made using wooden bars, they have to be sheathed with sheet steel on the outside, while inside the structure must be insulated with foam, other insulating material can also be used.

heating system

It is important to arrange the heating elements in the structure correctly. If the installation is manufactured independently, then these works can be done in different ways: from the side, from above, under the egg, above it or around the perimeter. The distance from the heating element will depend on the type of heater. If light bulbs are used, the distance to the eggs should be 25 centimeters, but no less. If nichrome wire is used, then ten centimeters will be enough. It is necessary to exclude the occurrence of drafts, otherwise the brood will die.

thermostat

Do-it-yourself home-made incubators are made with a certain temperature regime, which must be maintained within half a degree. It is possible to use bimetallic plates, barometric sensors, as well as electrical contactors as a heat regulator.

Comparison of homemade thermostats

An electrical contactor is a mercury thermometer with an electrode installed in its tube. The second electrode is a column of mercury. At the heating stage, mercury begins to move along the glass tube, reaching the electrode, which closes the electrical circuit. This becomes a signal to turn off the heating. If we talk about a metal plate, then it is considered the cheapest, but also the most unreliable way. Its fundamental action is that when heated, the plate begins to bend and touches the second electrode, thereby closing the circuit.

A self-made thermostat for an incubator can be a barometric sensor, which is made in the form of a cylinder of elastic steel, its height is less than its diameter, in addition, it is filled with ether. A cylinder acts as one of the electrodes, while the other cylinder is a screw fixed close to the bottom. The ether vapors during the heating process increase the pressure, and the bottom begins to bend. This completes the circuit and turns off the heating element. The thermostat can also be purchased at the store.

Humidity control

A homemade incubator from the refrigerator should be equipped with a humidity controller, for this it is recommended to use a psychrometer, which can be bought at a veterinary pharmacy or hardware store. An alternative solution is to manufacture the humidity controller using two thermometers, which must be mounted on the same board. The nose of one thermometer should be wrapped with a sterile medical bandage, which is strengthened in three layers, the other end should be lowered into a container filled with distilled water. The second thermometer must remain dry. By the difference in the readings of these thermometers, you can determine the level of humidity inside, so a home-made automatic incubator can even be compared with what was purchased in a store.

Incubation Mode

Immediately before incubation is started, the system should be analyzed for reliability for three days, during which it is necessary to try to establish the required temperature. It is especially important to ensure that overheating is not carried out, this is due to the fact that the embryo dies if it is exposed to a temperature of 41 degrees for ten minutes. It should be noted that an industrial incubator works on the principle of turning eggs every two hours, but it will be enough to perform such a procedure about three times a day.

In order to increase the percentage of hatchability, it is necessary to ensure proper storage of eggs. This must be done in a horizontal position, while they will need to be turned over periodically, the external conditions must be special, so the temperature should not be higher than twelve degrees, while the humidity should not exceed 80 percent. An egg should not be used if it is damaged, its surface is uneven or rough, or its shape is irregular. When using an ovoscope, it is necessary to exclude the use of eggs that have two yolks, in addition, eggs that have a large air chamber should not be used.

Homemade incubators, the drawings of which must be studied before starting work, must be used correctly. Before laying an egg in an incubator, it cannot be washed, as this will damage the outer shell, which has certain properties. Eggs that are too large should also not be used for incubation. You need to start controlling the process after five days of finding the eggs inside the cubature, you need to use the same ovoscope for this.

Different temperature regimes for different types of birds

A homemade foam incubator should work in different temperature conditions for different types of birds. For example, a chicken egg should be kept for two days at a temperature of 39 degrees, from the 3rd to the 18th day the temperature should be maintained at 38.5 degrees, from the 19th to the 21st day the temperature should be maintained at 37.5 degrees. As for the duck egg, from the 1st to the 12th day the temperature should be maintained within 37.7 degrees, from the 13th to the 24th day - 37.4 degrees, but from the 25th to the 28th day, this indicator should be at around 37.2 degrees.

Before you make a homemade incubator, you need to prepare the materials and choose the best ones. To carry out work, you can use not only the camera, but also a box and a suitable box. The basis of the product can be not only wood, but also plastic, as well as cardboard. Sheathing can be done not only with plywood, but also with fairly thick paper.

In order to eliminate heat loss, all cracks must be sealed with a sealant. Trays can be made of planed boards, the height of the sides of which should be equal to seventy millimeters. The whole structure should resemble a bookcase. In order to heat the unit, five light bulbs can be used, one of which can be installed from below, which will ensure an even distribution of heat.

In no case should the thermometer be taken out of the installation, this will allow you to monitor the state of the conditions in the incubator. A viewing window must be provided in the upper part, it is necessary in order to additionally control the egg. In the course of the work, a scheme of incubators will be needed. A homemade incubator will be made using the drawing correctly. Good luck!

To breed chickens at home, you will need to either buy an industrial apparatus or make an incubator with your own hands. The second option is convenient in that it is possible to assemble a device of the required size, and for the required number of eggs. In addition, cheap materials such as foam or plywood are used to create it. All egg turning and temperature adjustment work can be fully automated.

What you need to create a homemade incubator

The basis of any type of apparatus for breeding chicks is the body. It must keep the heat inside well so that the temperature of the eggs does not change dramatically. Since due to significant jumps, the likelihood of a healthy brood is noticeably reduced. You can make a home incubator case from a frame and plywood, polystyrene foam, a TV or refrigerator case. Eggs are laid in wooden or plastic trays, with a bottom made of slats or mesh. There are automatic trays with motors that turn the eggs themselves. Or rather, they deflect them to the side after the time indicated on the timer.

To heat the air in a do-it-yourself incubator, incandescent lamps are most often used, with a power of 25 to 100 W, depending on the size of the device. Temperature control is carried out using an ordinary thermometer or an electronic thermostat with a sensor. To avoid stagnation of air in the incubator, natural or forced ventilation is required. If the device is small, then it is enough just to make holes near the bottom and on the lid. For a do-it-yourself incubator made from a refrigerator, you will need to install fans, both above and below. This is the only way to ensure the necessary air movement, as well as an even distribution of heat.

So that the incubation process is not disturbed, you need to correctly calculate the number of trays. The distance between the incandescent lamps and the tray must be at least 15 cm.

The same distance must be left between the other trays in the do-it-yourself incubator so that the air movement is free. Also, at least 4-5 cm should remain between them and the walls.

Ventilation holes are made from 12 to 20 mm in size, in the upper and lower parts of the incubator.

Before laying eggs, be sure to check that the fans are correctly positioned and that the lamps have enough power to evenly heat the incubator. This value should not exceed ±0.5°C in each corner of the machine after it has fully warmed up.

How to make a do-it-yourself foam incubator

Expanded polystyrene is one of the most popular materials for creating an incubator. It is not only affordable, but has excellent thermal insulation properties and low weight. For the manufacture will need the following materials:

• foam sheets 2 pcs. with a thickness of 50 mm;
• adhesive tape, glue;
• incandescent lamps 4 pcs. 25 W and cartridges for them;
• fan (the one used to cool the computer is also suitable);
• thermostat;
• trays for eggs and 1 for water.

Before you start assembling an incubator with your own hands, you should draw up detailed drawings with dimensions.

Step-by-step instruction:

1 - water tank; 2 - viewing window; 3 - tray; 4 - thermostat; 5 - temperature controller sensor.

1. If desired or necessary, a fan is installed, but in such a way that the air flow hits the light bulbs, and not the eggs. Otherwise, they may dry out.

The heat inside the incubator, assembled from polystyrene with your own hands, will be retained even better if all the walls, bottom and ceiling are pasted over with foil insulation.

Incubators with automatic or manual egg turning

For the process to be successful, the eggs must be constantly turned 180 °. But doing it manually takes a lot of time. For this purpose, flip mechanisms are used.

There are several types of these devices:

• mobile grid;
• roller rotation;
• tray tilt 45°.

The first option is most often used in small incubators, for example, foam ones. The principle of operation is as follows: the grid slowly moves from one side to the other, as a result, the eggs lying in its cells turn over. This process can be automated or done manually. To do this, it is enough to attach a piece of wire to the grid and bring it out. The disadvantage of such a mechanism is that the egg can simply drag through and not roll over. Roller rotation is less commonly used in homemade incubators with automatic egg turning, as it requires a lot of round parts and bushings to create it. The device works with the help of rollers covered with a mesh (mosquito).

So that the eggs do not roll, they are in the cells of a wooden lattice. When the tape starts to move, all the eggs turn over.

A swivel mechanism that tilts the trays is used in larger incubators, such as those made from a refrigerator. In addition, this method performs its task better than others, since in any case each egg leans. There are automatic egg turning trays. They come with a motor and a power supply. There are several smaller ones in one tray. Each rotates separately after a user-set time.

How to make a device for hatching chicks from a refrigerator or plywood

Before you start making an incubator with your own hands, you need to draw up a drawing and a diagram for connecting all the elements. All shelves are pulled out of the refrigerator, including the freezer.

Step-by-step instruction:

1. In the ceiling, holes are drilled from the inside for incandescent lamps and one through for ventilation.
2. It is recommended to finish the walls of a home-made incubator from the refrigerator with sheets of expanded polystyrene, then it will retain heat longer.
3. Old racks for shelves can be converted into trays or put new ones on them.
4. A thermostat is mounted on top of the outside of the refrigerator, and the sensor is installed inside.
5. Closer to the bottom, at least 3 holes are drilled for air ventilation, 1.5x1.5 cm in size.
6. For better circulation, you can install 1 or 2 fans on top near the lamps and the same number below on the floor.

To make it easier to monitor the temperature and eggs, it is necessary to cut a hole in the door for a viewing window. It is closed with glass or transparent plastic, the slots are carefully smeared, for example, with a sealant.

The video shows a do-it-yourself incubator made from a refrigerator.

If there is no refrigerator, then the frame is made of wooden beams, and the walls are made of plywood. Moreover, they should be two-layer, and a heater is laid between them. Bulb holders are attached to the ceiling, bars are mounted in the middle of the two walls for installing the tray. At the bottom, another additional bulb is placed for better evaporation of water. The distance between it and the tray should be at least 15-17 cm. A viewing window with a sliding glass for ventilation is made in the lid. Closer to the floor, holes are drilled along the long walls for air circulation.

By the same principle, incubators are often made from TV cases for a small number of eggs. The process of turning eggs in them is most often carried out manually, as it takes a little time. Trays can be made from rounded rails. Such an incubator does not need fans, since ventilation occurs every time the lid is opened to turn the eggs.

At the bottom of any incubator, a container of water is placed to create the optimal level of humidity required for the eggs.

To hatch a very small batch of chicks (10 chicks), 2 inverted basins can be used. To do this, one of them is turned over to the second one and fastened with a furniture canopy from one edge. The main thing is that they cannot move out of each other. A lamp holder is attached to the ceiling from the inside. Sand is poured at the bottom, which is covered with foil and hay. The foil should have many holes with a diameter of 3 mm in order for moisture to pass through it. To adjust the temperature, a bar with steps is used, which is inserted between the basins.

In order for the hatching of chicks in any incubator to occur at the same time, the eggs must be of the same size, and uniform heating of the entire space of the apparatus is also necessary.

Two-chamber homemade incubator - video

Breeding poultry at home begins with an incubator. In order to "incubate" eggs, both compact industrial devices and a do-it-yourself incubator are widely used today. In this article, we will focus on homemade incubators. To do this, we will find out what are the most common designs today, what requirements they must meet, and, finally, how to make one or another type of incubator with your own hands.

Making an incubator with your own hands is a more efficient option than buying an industrial device, since the first option takes into account various individual features of the location, device design and poultry breeding conditions. In this regard, there are several advantages of homemade incubators:

• reliable in operation;
• economical in energy consumption;
• have sufficient volumes for laying up to several hundred eggs;
• guarantee the maintenance of the microclimate necessary for 90% survival of young animals;
• quite versatile, can be used to breed different types of domestic, as well as some varieties of exotic (parrots, ostriches) birds.

Types of incubators and the most common rules for their manufacture

An important positive feature of home-made incubators for individual projects is that they can be made from a variety of auxiliary materials and structures that have already been in use. Of course, only those that meet the strict sanitary requirements for efficient and healthy breeding of young birds.

At the same time, the fairly common practice of producing such devices by private poultry farmers themselves shows that, as a rule, they choose an option from the four most popular varieties of home-made incubators.

1. Products from an old non-working refrigerator.

   
   

2. Products from a cardboard box.

   
   

3. Styrofoam incubator.

   
   

4. Plywood incubator (wooden boards).

   
   

Depending on the economic needs and capabilities of the manufacturer, incubators can be single-tier and multi-tier.

However, the “self-made” status of compact incubators allows us to expand this list, enabling any poultry farmer to show all his technical imagination and ingenuity. Note that the correct choice of the dimensions of the future incubator is of great importance. In this case, a number of factors should be clearly taken into account, first of all, the planned volume of laying eggs and the installation points for lamps for heating the incubation chamber.

Incubator size

For successful high-quality production of an incubation device, its dimensions must be calculated (planned) in advance. Meanwhile, this parameter depends on the production volumes that the poultry farmer is aiming for, and on the number of eggs laid in the incubator at a time. Moreover, the second factor is decisive.

An incubator of medium dimensions (length - 450-470 mm, width - 300-400 mm) holds the following approximate number of eggs:

In addition, the dimensions of the device are affected by the type of heating system and the place where incandescent lamps are fixed. Important for determining the size is the material from which the device is supposed to be made.

General manufacturing rules

Basic requirements for an incubator

When starting to make a home incubator with your own hands, you should always keep in mind that the end result of this work should be an apparatus in which all conditions are created for the full development of the embryo in the egg and the birth of a healthy chick on time.

In other words, the design of the incubator and its equipment must be subordinated to the goal of forming in the chamber the same conditions that the mother bird creates for its future offspring. The most important of these factors are temperature and humidity.

It is necessary to design a future incubator so that the poultry breeder has the opportunity to constantly and without any obstacles control the temperature and humidity conditions of incubation. It must be borne in mind here that most of the poultry species most popular with breeders are held in the range between 37.1 and 39°C.

At the same time, in the first days of incubation, the eggs (before being placed in the chamber they can be stored for no more than 10 days) are heated to the maximum temperature calculated for a particular type of bird (see temperature table), and by the end of this period the temperature drops to the minimum. And only when breeding quails during the entire 17-day incubation period, a constant temperature is maintained - 37.5 degrees.

Underheating of eggs is unacceptable, overheating is undesirable. In the first case, the development of embryos slows down with all the ensuing consequences, many individuals simply die. When overheated, the surviving chicks will certainly suffer from deformities of the heart, stomach, liver, deformities of various parts of the body.

As for another important parameter - humidity, it also changes throughout the entire period before hatching. In particular, the optimal level of air humidity inside the incubator before the moment of pecking should be 40-60%, and between pecking and the moment of hatching, it should remain at the level of 80%. And only before the selection of young animals, the relative humidity should be lowered again to 55-60%.

A good help for the quality hatching of chickens in a home incubator will be the installation of a forced ventilation system. The operation of the electric fan will ensure the movement of air inside the chamber at a speed of 5-6 m / s, which will contribute to the ideal balance between the temperature and humidity of the atmosphere in the incubator.

Prices for egg incubators

egg incubators

Where to start creating an incubator?

Any process of assembling a domestic incubator begins with the determination of the base material from which the apparatus will be made. For example, large pieces of polystyrene (at least 25x40 cm in size) or an ordinary large cardboard box are good for this purpose. An almost ideal option is the presence of an old, outdated refrigerator. In any case, one must proceed from the determining factor that is inherent in any structure - its thermal insulation ability.

Comparing the material for the manufacture of incubators, it can be argued that foam products are characterized by the lowest heat loss. At the same time, cardboard boxes are the cheapest raw material.

In addition, you should take care of devices for heating the incubation chamber (lamp or heating device) and convenient temperature control (thermometer). In order not to burden yourself with the need to manually periodically turn the eggs, it is worth equipping the incubator with an automatic flip system. Such a mechanism will save a person's time. True, usually such devices are installed in large incubators - for 200 or more eggs.

Components and tools required for the job

Prices for popular models of jigsaws

Electric jigsaw

Lamps for heating the incubation chamber should be fixed no closer than 25 cm from the eggs.

Remember that before choosing everything you need from the list above, you need to decide on the optimal size of the incubator.

How to determine the optimal size of the incubator?

• in order to carry out design preparation as accurately as possible, drawings with given dimensions will be needed. For an illustrative example, below is a variant of the product drawing, which differs in a relatively small volume (for 45 eggs), 40 cm long and 25 cm wide;
• when calculating the optimal size of the incubator, it must be borne in mind that at a distance of 2 cm from the egg, the thermometer should show 37.3 - 38.6 degrees Celsius;
• most often, poultry farmers in their households make devices designed to hatch young birds, which are designed to lay up to 100 eggs. At the same time, cells for eggs are made with a diameter of 45 mm and a depth of 60-80 mm;
• the result is a structure approximately 60x60 cm in size and weighing about 3 kg. By the way, it can be made quite universal. For this, interchangeable grid trays with cells of different sizes are provided, due to which, if desired, the same incubator can be easily converted to accommodate not only chicken, but also duck, goose, turkey and quail eggs.

To accurately calculate the dimensions, you can use the following table:

With the same capacity of structures for chicken eggs, a product made of expanded polystyrene will be more voluminous than a cardboard counterpart.

Used fridge incubator

The case of an old refrigerator is the best suited for arranging an artificial "nesting". The fact is that this equipment, indispensable in everyday life, is designed in such a way as to reliably maintain a given temperature in the internal space. This purpose, in particular, is served by a special design of the thermally insulating walls of the refrigerator.

At the same time, the racks and shelves available in the refrigerator are easy to adapt to egg trays. Mounting grooves on the inner walls make it easy to evenly distribute the laying of eggs over the entire height of the refrigerator chamber. At the same time, its volume is quite enough to install a fluid exchange system below - with its help, a balanced level of humidity will be provided.

Each component of a homemade incubator made from an old refrigerator, as well as the stages of its assembly, has its own characteristics. Let's get to know them in more detail.

Ventilation system

The installation of a device for the artificial breeding of young poultry cannot be imagined without the arrangement of at least the simplest ventilation system. It directly affects the state of the air inside the chamber, including temperature and humidity. Thus, an ideal microclimate for egg maturation is formed.

It has been established that the optimal average ventilation speed is 5 m/sec. The movement of the air mass is provided by the operation of the fan. Ventilation holes must be drilled in the upper and lower parts of the housing.

To prevent air from being “pumped” into the glass wool layer under the skin, it is recommended to insert plastic (metal) tubes of the appropriate diameter into the holes. Partially or completely blocking these openings, it is possible to regulate the ventilation process.

The embryo in the egg begins to consume oxygen from the outside on the sixth day of incubation.

Installation of a heating system and selection of a thermostat

To form the simplest heating system for the inner chamber, 4 incandescent lamps with a power of 25 W each or 2 lamps of 40 W each are selected. Good heating of the entire volume is ensured by an even distribution of light bulbs between the lower and upper parts of the refrigerator. At the same time, the lamps fixed at the bottom should not interfere with the water container, which humidifies the air inside the incubator.

Prices for thermostats

thermostat

In the process of creating the optimal temperature regime, a thermostat is also involved. Traditionally, poultry farmers use 3 types of thermostats - a bimetallic plate, an electric contactor (a mercury-based thermometer with an electrode) or a barometric sensor. The first type closes the electrical circuit when a predetermined heating level is reached, the second turns off the heating at a certain temperature, the third closes the circuit with excessive pressure.

Egg turning mechanism

The standard incubation process involves the obligatory turning of the egg with a frequency of 2-4 times a day. This function in the home device is performed by a special mechanism instead of a mother bird.

The essence of this mechanism is that the electric motor drives a special rod, which transmits the impulse of movement to the egg tray. To mount the simplest mechanism, you must:

1. Install the reducer at the bottom of the chamber.
2. Install a wooden frame holding the trays. They should be fixed so that it is possible to tilt the trays 60 degrees towards the door and 60 degrees in the opposite direction.
3. The gearbox must be firmly fixed.
4. Attach a rod to the electric motor, connected at the other end to the egg tray.

So, we found out some features of making a household incubator based on a used refrigerator with our own hands. Now you can refer to the step-by-step instructions for its assembly.

Sequencing

1. Drill several holes in the ceiling of the case - for the lamps of the heating system and through for ventilation.
2. At the bottom, drill at least 3 ventilation holes with a diameter of 1.5 cm.
3. For greater preservation of heat, it is desirable to finish the walls inside the apparatus with polystyrene foam.
4. Convert old shelves into egg trays.
5. Fix the thermostat outside the case, install the sensor inside.
6. To organize forced air circulation near the heating lamps, fix 1-2 fans in the upper part of the chamber (for example, from a computer).
7. Cut a small opening in the refrigerator door for a viewing window. Close the opening with glass (transparent plastic).

Video - Incubator from the refrigerator

cardboard box incubator

The next production option for a small home incubator is the cheapest one offered. On average, it takes only a few hours to make it. However, for all the cheapness of such a product and ease of assembly, cardboard is also the most fragile of the most common materials at hand.

Step 1. First of all, they find a box that is unnecessary on the farm, the size of which is, for example, 56x47x58 cm (depending on the number of eggs in the tab, the dimensions may vary). From the inside, the box is carefully pasted over in several layers with paper or felt.

Step 2 Next, you should make several holes for electrical wiring, fix 3 lamps of 25 W each inside. The installation level of the lamps should be 15 cm above the level of the eggs. To eliminate unnecessary heat loss, extra slots, including wiring holes, are clogged with cotton wool. On the other hand, it is necessary to provide several ventilation holes.

Step 3. After that, wooden egg trays, mounting rails (trays will be installed on them) and a door are made.

egg tray

Tray for quail eggs

Step 4 Temperature control will be carried out using a thermometer, which is placed inside the incubator. To maintain a given level of humidity, a water tank is installed at the bottom of the box. Everything that happens inside the cardboard chamber can be observed through a viewing window 12x10 cm, which is cut into the upper wall.

One of the most popular and convenient materials for the manufacture of artificial "hens" is polystyrene foam (polystyrene).

It attracts not only with its quite affordable cost, but also with its excellent thermal insulation properties, which are so valuable in the production of incubation structures, as well as its low weight. Not to mention the ease of working with this material. The manufacture of a foam product is in many ways similar to the production of a cardboard counterpart.

Making a foam device

1. A sheet of expanded polystyrene must be cut into four identical parts. The resulting parts are used to form the sidewalls of the hull.

   
   

2. The second sheet is divided into two identical halves. One of them is once again divided into two parts so that the width of one is 60 cm, the width of the other is 40 cm. A fragment with a size of 50x40 cm will go to the bottom of the box, and a part with a size of 50x60 cm will become its lid.

   
   

3. A square hole 12x12 cm is cut out under the viewing window in the future cover. It will also serve as a ventilation hole. The window is covered with glass (transparent plastic).
4. From equal parts obtained after cutting the first sheet, the supporting frame is glued together. After the glue has hardened, glue the bottom. To do this, glue is applied to the edges of a sheet measuring 50x40 cm, after which the sheet is carefully inserted into the frame.

   
   

5. After the formation of the box, the case is carefully glued with adhesive tape, due to which the structure acquires significant rigidity.
6. Two foam bars 6 cm high and 4 cm wide are cut out. Improvised legs, necessary for normal ventilation and uniform heating of the egg tray, are glued inside the incubator, to the bottom along the long sides (50 cm).
7. In shortened walls 40 cm long at a height of 1 cm from the bottom of the device, 3 holes with a diameter of 1.2 cm are made for ventilation. The distance between the holes must be the same. Based on the characteristics of the material, all holes are recommended
8. Burn with a soldering iron.
9. The lid will hold firmly to the body if foam bars (2x2 or 3x3 cm in size) are glued along its edges. In order for the bars to fit exactly inside the incubator, tightly adhering to its walls, the distance between the bars and the edge of the sheet should be 5 cm.
10. After that, cartridges for heating lamps are mounted in an arbitrary way from the inside of the cover.
11. A thermostat is fixed on the outside of the lid. The sensitive sensor of the thermostat is fixed inside the container at a height of 1 cm from the level of the eggs.
12. When installing a tray loaded with eggs, you need to make sure that the gap between it and the machines is 4-5 cm. This is necessary to ensure proper ventilation.

If there is a desire or need, a fan can be mounted inside the incubator. They do this so that the air flow is directed not to the eggs, but to the lamps. Otherwise, the eggs may dry out.

The heat of the incubation chamber will be retained for a long time if all internal surfaces are pasted over with heat-insulating foil.

Video - Do-it-yourself foam incubator

Conclusion

Thus, the independent manufacture of an incubator does not seem to be too complicated and troublesome. Of course, such devices can be different - in terms of dimensions and degree of equipment with various equipment - depending on the number of eggs being processed. Therefore, before assembling them, it is better to carefully work on the project, taking into account all possible "pitfalls".

At the same time, such structures can be made from a variety of materials and with a variety of design "highlights" (provided that all sanitary and technological requirements are met). And this makes the whole process creative and very exciting.

You can breed poultry either with the help of a hen, if any, or use an incubator. Most breeders prefer to use these machines. Incubators are both industrial type and homemade. Further in the article it will be described in more detail what and how to do in order to achieve the desired result.

Creating an incubator using your own hands is quite simple and even an inexperienced poultry farmer can do it. Homemade cars have a fairly large number of advantages:

• low cost;
• reliability;
• easy to do;
• it is possible to create a design for the required number of eggs.

You should not think that there are only two home-made devices, in fact there are a lot of them. People even use materials that seem to have outlived their lives, for example: old refrigerators, boxes, buckets, basins.

A very large number of poultry farmers are engaged in breeding young animals at home, and as mentioned above, not every farm has hens capable of hatching chickens. Often there are situations that the young must be received by a certain date.

Good to know. In some companies dealing with such machines, you can buy a kit and make a home incubator. However, many people have problems with the lever flip trays, which are not so easy for poultry farmers without special skills to assemble.

In this case, making an incubator is much easier if you have the appropriate diagrams or drawings.

Building a chick hatcher is considered to be the most efficient option compared to purchasing a commercial type device. In the first option, it is easy to take into account the features of the place where the incubator will stand, the individuality of the design, as well as the conditions for breeding domestic birds. In addition to the advantages already listed, homemade devices have the following advantages:

• it is easy to maintain the specified microclimate parameters in order to ensure a high survival rate of chicks;
• versatility, can be adapted for breeding any poultry, including for a number of exotic species (ostriches, parrots);
• economical use of energy resources.

An important feature of home incubators, which are mounted according to individual drawings, is that various auxiliary materials, which have also already been in operation, are used for their manufacture. It is important to remember here that they must meet sanitary requirements so that young birds can develop successfully.

Poultry farmers themselves, most often choose one of the most popular models of do-it-yourself incubators:

• alteration of the out of working condition of the refrigerator;
• carton boxes;
• foam sheets;
• plywood or wooden boards.

It is absolutely not necessary to make an incubator from the materials that were presented above. Any poultry farmer can decide for himself how and from what to create a useful machine for him. True, it is worth considering such a moment that it is necessary to choose the dimensions of the device correctly, and take into account some factors, namely, how many eggs will be laid, and where to mount the lamps so that the incubation chamber is heated.

To make a quality car, you need to clearly calculate its dimensions. These parameters will depend on what production volumes are planned on the farm, and, again, on the amount of incubation material that will be laid at a time. The second indicator is a priority.

The average dimensions of the device 45-47 x 30-40cm (in length and width) are able to accommodate eggs in the following quantity, of course, approximately:

• goose - 40 pieces;
• turkey, duck - 55 pieces;
• chicken - 70 pieces;
• quail - 200 pieces.

The size of the machine will be affected by the type of heating system, and the location of the incandescent lamps. The materials that will be used to make the incubator also play a big role.

1. When choosing blanks, it is important to take into account the fact that all materials must be dry, free of dirt, paint and grease, the presence of mold on them is unacceptable.
2. No matter what material is chosen, the assembly and sheathing of the frame is carried out in such a way as to prevent any heat leakage from the inside. Any gaps that are present must be sealed with a sealant.
3. The incubator should have a specially allocated place for water containers (they help maintain humidity at the required level).
4. To maintain the temperature regime, lamps with a power of 25W (1 piece) are taken, their number is 4 - 5 pieces. In order for the heat to be evenly distributed inside the chamber, one lamp should be installed at the bottom of the device.
5. Be sure to have exhaust holes in the amount of several pieces.
6. To organize control over the incubation process, it is necessary to provide a viewing window, which will be made in the upper wall of the unit. You will also need a good thermometer.

Starting work on the creation of an incubator, it is important to remember that as a result, a machine should appear that provides the conditions necessary for the development of embryos in eggs and the hatching of healthy young from them at the right time.

If we talk about the design and equipment of the unit, then conditions should be created in it similar to those that the brood hen creates for future offspring. The most important indicators here are temperature and humidity.

When designing the device, it must be remembered that the breeder must be able to control temperature and humidity without any obstruction.

Good to know. Incubation of the eggs of most of the most popular types of poultry is carried out at a temperature of +37.1 to +39°C.

After placing the material in the unit, it is heated to a maximum, which is different for different species, and by the time the chicks are born, they are reduced to the required minimum. You can get acquainted with the temperature for different types of birds in the following table.

Temperature and humidity indicator for egg incubation

Name of birds	Duration in days, temperature in °C, humidity %
	I period	II period	III period	IV period
chickens	1 – 6 days	7 - 11 days	12 - 20 day	20 - 21 days
ducks	1 – 7 day	7 - 14 day	15 - 25 day	26 - 28 days
geese	1 - 2 day	3 - 4 day	5 – 10 day	10 - 27 day
				28 - 30 day
Turkeys	1 – 7 day	8 - 14 day	15 - 25 day	16 - 25 day
Guinea fowl		3 – 14 day	15 - 24 day	Day 25
				26 - 28 days
quail	1 - 2 day	3 – 15 day	16 - 17 day	Is absent

Before you start working on creating a machine, you need to decide on the basic materials for manufacturing. You can take large foam pieces or a simple cardboard box. An unnecessary refrigerator will do. The main factor in the choice is the thermal insulation property of the material.

Good to know. Foam structures will have the lowest heat loss, but a cardboard box cannot boast of such a characteristic.

An important role is played by the heating of the incubator chamber. To maintain the required temperature, lamps or a heating device are used, but you can track the indicators using a thermometer.

Turning the incubation material is a very painstaking and burdensome work, so it is recommended to automate the process, which will save a lot of time. Most often, turning mechanisms are placed on large machines, where they lay from 200 eggs.

Depending on which model needs to be made, the following tools are used:

• an old disused refrigerator, a cardboard box, plywood (boards);
• foam sheets;
• incandescent lamps with a power of 25 - 40W. The required quantity is determined by the size of the machine;
• egg trays, they are made of metal mesh, wood or plastic;
• thermometer and fan;
• if an automatic incubator is mounted, then do not forget about the thermostat, it is made of bimetallic plates, barometric sensors;
• using a hygrometer, monitor the humidity indicator;
• working tools (pliers, knife, electrical tape, saw, etc.)

How to determine the optimal size of the incubator? – mini, for 100, 500, 1000 eggs

Most often, farmers for households use incubators that can hold about a hundred eggs with cells having a diameter of 45 mm and a depth of 60 - 80 mm (for laying egg products).

Such designs have a size of about 60x60 cm and a mass of 3 kg. If desired, the machine is made universal, due to interchangeable grid trays with cells of different sizes. As a result, in the same incubator, you can breed not only chickens, but also geese, guinea fowl, turkeys, ducks or quails.

Please refer to the following table for the dimensions of different types of machines and their capacities.

Capacity and dimensions of incubators

If there is no desire to buy an incubator, but the farm has an old refrigerator, then it can be given a new life. In the former food storage, the set temperature is ideally maintained, which is facilitated by the walls of the refrigerator, which have thermal insulating properties.

In place of the shelves, it is very easy to place trays with eggs, and thanks to the mounting grooves on the inner walls of the chamber, all product tabs are evenly distributed along the height of the machine. The volume of the refrigerator is enough for the installation of water tanks from below, with the help of which the maintenance of humidity is regulated.

Any incubator should be equipped with at least the simplest ventilation system. It will exchange air inside the car, help maintain the temperature and regulate humidity to create ideal conditions suitable for hatching chicks.

The optimal ventilation rate is 5m/sec, and the fan should move the air mass. Air holes are made (drilled) at the top and bottom of the refrigerator.

To prevent air from entering under the skin, the holes are provided with plastic or metal tubes having the desired diameter. With partial or complete overlap of which ventilation is regulated.

The easiest way to heat the inner chamber is to use incandescent bulbs (4 pieces 25W, 2 pieces 40W). The lamps are evenly distributed from the bottom and top of the machine. When installing lights from below, it is important to remember that they should not interfere with water trays.

An important part of the incubator is the thermostat, they are of three types:

• bimetallic plates;
• a thermometer with a mercury base and an electrode;
• barometric sensor.

With the help of the first, the electrical circuit is closed as soon as the desired temperature is reached, with the help of the second, the heating is turned off, the third closes the circuit as soon as excessive pressure occurs.

During incubation, eggs must be turned over several times a day. Under natural conditions, this function is performed by the chicken, but here the action of a special mechanism is necessary.

The work is carried out by an electric motor that activates a rod that transmits a motor impulse to the egg tray. To create such a mechanism, you need:

• make a reducer from the bottom of the chamber;
• make a wooden frame that will hold the trays. Fasteners are carried out in such a way that the trays tilt 60 ° to the door and the same in the opposite direction;
• the gearbox must be firmly fixed;
• connect the rod connected to the egg tray with the electric motor.

It remains to talk in more detail about how to convert a refrigerator into an incubator:

1. The ceiling of the unit is provided with holes where lamps for heating will be inserted and through holes for ventilation.
2. At least 3 holes are drilled from below, having a diameter of 1.5 cm.
3. To better retain heat, it is recommended to finish the walls of the refrigerator with foam.
4. A thermostat is attached to the outer part, and the inner part is equipped with a sensor;
5. To organize the circulation of air masses, next to the light bulbs (on top), fans are attached in the amount of 1 - 2 pieces (computer ones are also suitable);
6. A small window is cut out in the door of the former refrigerator - a viewing window and covered with glass, you can use transparent plastic.

Do-it-yourself incubator from the refrigerator: video

Using a cardboard box is a very cheap way to make an incubator, but don't expect the resulting construction to be strong and last for ages. Work is performed in the following order:

1. It is necessary to take a box, the dimensions of which are calculated based on the number of planned incubation products. The inside of the box is pasted over with several layers of paper or felt.
2. Holes are made where the electrical wiring will go. On the inside, 25W light bulbs are attached in the amount of 3 pieces. They should be 15 cm higher than the laying of incubation materials. Slots available, even where the wiring is sealed with cotton, but it is important not to forget about the presence of holes for ventilation.
3. Production of wooden trays for eggs and mounting rails (for installing trays), doors.
4. Place a thermometer inside the incubator, put a container of water at the bottom, cut a viewing window on the side of the box.

Do-it-yourself incubator from a cardboard box: video

The most popular and convenient material for mounting the incubator is foam. Its cost is very small, in addition, the sheets have excellent thermal insulation characteristics, and the resulting design will not be very bulky and heavy.

Making a foam incubator

1. You need to take a foam sheet of a suitable size and divide it into 4 identical pieces, from which the sides of the incubator will be made.
2. The second sheet is divided in half, and one is divided into two, so that one sheet has a width of 60 cm, and the second 40 cm. The bottom is made from a 50x40 cm blank, and a cover is made from a 50x60 sheet.
3. A 12x12 cm hole is cut in the lid for a window and covered with glass or plastic.
4. Four parts are glued so that a box is obtained, after the glue has hardened, the bottom is attached. The sheet is carefully smeared with adhesives along the edge and then inserted into the main workpiece.
5. After making the box, it must be pasted over with adhesive tape to gain rigidity by the structure.
6. Now bars are cut out all from the same foam having dimensions of 6x4 cm (height and width), they are glued inside the box on the bottom along the long sides.
7. In short walls, ventilation holes are made 1 cm away from the bottom, with the same distance from each other, in the amount of three pieces. It is best to do this work with a soldering iron.
8. Styrofoam bars are glued to the lid along the edges, for a tighter fixation of the lid.
9. The outer part of the lid is equipped with a thermostat, and its sensor is fixed inside at a distance of 1 cm from the eggs.
10. When installing trays with incubation material, it is important to remember that the distance between them and the walls should be from 4 to 5 cm, that ventilation was carried out in normal mode.

Do-it-yourself homemade incubator with a coup: video

As you can see from the article, making an incubator with your own hands is quite simple. Such devices have different dimensions and equipment, it all depends on how many chicks are planned to be hatched. Before installing the machine, you need to think carefully about the project in order to get a working unit.