Homemade timer for turning eggs in an incubator, diagram, instructions. Do-it-yourself swivel mechanism for an incubator Wiring diagram for turning eggs in an incubator

In practice, incubator buildings use several types of devices for turning eggs. In principle, there are two types of turning, this is a direct turning of the egg, when the hatching egg itself is turned in some way in the tray. And the second type, when the entire tray is rotated along with the eggs. Turning the egg itself has not found wide application and is used mainly in small incubators for 6 to 50 eggs. But the rotation of trays with eggs is widely used both in relatively small incubators and in large industrial ones. It is the principle of turning trays with eggs that is of interest to most home-made people. it is easy enough to repeat.

Here, everything is clear without a description. The only thing that is required is to properly weight the trays so that there are no distortions. It is important to put all the rotary axes on which the trays are held in brass bushings or use special bearing supports for this purpose.

I must say that this tray rotation scheme is somewhat overloaded. In its practical implementation, two options are possible. Remove the two lower supports (1-1) or one of the trapezoid end rods (2-2). In this case, everything will work perfectly.

In practice, it looks like this:

Chain drive for turning trays in a homemade incubator.

I saw a very simple and reliable drive for turning trays in Chinese incubators. The drive is based on 6-20 watt reduction motors () and a chain. That's it, it's so simple and at the same time reliable, 500 eggs easily turns. Yes, in my homemade incubator with a similar tray rotation scheme, there is a 14 watt and 10 rpm reduction motor, as I said, an incubator for 500 eggs. Initially, there were fears that too fast “start” of the trays, that is, a jerk, was possible. But these fears were not justified, fully loaded trays with hatching eggs start moving quite gently and stop just as gently.

An interesting point, for this tray rotation scheme, I used a very old homemade incubator, which for many years generally worked with manual tray rotation. There was very little space at the top of the incubator, so I fixed the engine on a simple bracket at the bottom of the incubator, under the trays. And not at the top and side, as in the photo below. At the same time, the lower location of the mechanism did not affect the performance of the structure, a package of five trays for one hundred hatching eggs in each, quietly worked for two seasons even without tightening the chain.

As best I could, I tried to depict it schematically, not very beautifully, but I hope it is understandable.

The photo shows that this drive scheme for turning the trays in the incubator is the simplest, at the same time it works great. The main thing in it is not any complicated turning work, everything can be done with your own hands .... Buy the rest: a reversible motor, an asterisk, a chain, two limit switches + a thermostat that controls everything and that's it, the incubator is ready. Of course, in the presence of a decent box with good thermal insulation and a mechanism for turning the trays.

The chain and sprocket are not simple (not bicycle), but specially made with a small step for reversible motors () The photo is somewhat enlarged, in fact the sprocket is smaller, the diameter of the hole for the motor shaft is 7mm.

Asterisks for engines of 6-14 watts cost: 350 rubles.

The chain for this sprocket is 0.5m. : 410 rubles. (0.5 meters is usually small. Measure carefully)

Chain 5 meters long, P=6.35: 2980 rubles.

There are sprockets and chains for a 20 watt motor, ask.

Now I am releasing a ready-made mechanism for turning trays, it is described

Imported incubators sometimes use a reliable, but somewhat time-consuming to repeat, tray rotation scheme. For example, the scheme for turning trays in a Chinese incubator.

Here is another example of using this scheme:

Same motorized tray frame, same engine, but quail egg trays are inserted.

According to this principle, I developed and manufactured a somewhat simplified rotary mechanism for mini trays. The task was to make an incubator of sufficient capacity, but with a minimum height.

Each tray shelf here holds 30 eggs, blunt end up. Shelf dimensions for trays: 50*15cm. From here, according to this scheme, you can make a small-sized incubator for 120-180 eggs, which is more than enough for a small farm. Moreover, it is not very difficult to “fasten” the second floor, while the engine (special reversible) will be used the same. 14 watt motor. In my opinion, despite the apparent laboriousness, this is a very promising scheme for building a home-made incubator.

I made trays from such pretty egg racks, it turned out not bad at all.

By the way, if anyone needs bearing units for tray drive mechanism in the incubator, then they are ...

For any shaft diameter, please inquire.

Left row:

The inner diameter for the shaft is from 4 to 30 mm.

Price: under the shaft 8 mm.-180 rubles.

Price: under the shaft 10 mm.-200 rubles.

for shaft 12 mm. - 230 rubles.

Right row:

Price: under the shaft 8 mm.-210 rubles.

Price: under the shaft 10 mm.-240 rubles.

for shaft 12 mm. - 280 rubles.

Hinges for driving trays in a homemade incubator.

What they serve for is visible from above in the photo. Without them, the tray drive (of any design) will not work !!!
The sizes under an axis from 5-16 mm.
The price of a hinge with a hole for the axle-8mm.: 320 rubles. Ask for other sizes.

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.

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:

In the ceiling, holes are drilled from the inside for incandescent lamps and one through for ventilation.
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.
Old racks for shelves can be converted into trays or put new ones on them.
A thermostat is mounted on top of the outside of the refrigerator, and the sensor is installed inside.
Closer to the bottom, at least 3 holes are drilled for air ventilation, 1.5x1.5 cm in size.
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 chicks to hatch in any incubator 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

In our difficult time, when commodity prices are rising at an inexorable pace, you will always find the area in which you can profitably apply your practical skills and theoretical knowledge. Looking at the cost of an incubator produced in an industrial environment, you can easily calculate the benefits of self-manufacturing such a device. Moreover, making a homemade incubator with your own hands is not so difficult.

Here is what a forum user says about his homemade incubator with a mechanical egg flip genius cat.

genius cat

In short: an incubator for 60-70 chicken eggs, a mechanical coup using a special grate, I don’t do automatic in principle. Heating with light bulbs, two chains. Temperature control with an electrocontact thermometer. I don't trust electronics. The temperature runoff at the corners is 0.5 degrees. Cheap and cheerful. In the presence of components, it is possible to make an incubator in 3 - 4 hours.

The most important thing in manufacturing is to ensure the ability to maintain optimal indicators of humidity and temperature inside the device, as well as create conditions for the timely turning of eggs in order to warm them evenly.

Incubator body

In most cases, the basis of everything is the body. And the incubator in this case is no exception.

When manufacturing the case, special attention should be paid to ensuring good thermal insulation for the future device. This will allow in the future to avoid the troubles associated with maintaining a strict temperature regime in the incubation chamber.

For the manufacture of the body, porous polymeric materials, foam (polystyrene foam) 20 mm thick, etc. are quite suitable. You can also use fiberboard or chipboard sheets, but you should create double walls filled with foam rubber, felt or foam.

The dimensions of the incubator will directly depend on the number of eggs that are planned to be simultaneously placed in the chamber. According to the height of the inner chamber, 50 cm will be enough. The area of the inner base will be equal to the area of \u200b\u200bthe egg tray. But it is necessary to add about 50 mm to it on each side. It is this gap that should be between the tray and the body of the incubator to ensure the circulation of air flows. In the lower base of the incubator, be sure to drill several holes with a diameter of 10 mm, through which air will be exchanged between the interior of the chamber and the external environment (the incubator must be constantly enriched with oxygen). For an incubator designed for 50 eggs, 6 holes are enough.

Attention! The bottom openings should be located in such a way that they are not blocked by a baking sheet (plate) with water, which will be installed in the chamber to maintain a sufficient level of humidity.

To ensure unhindered air movement between the bottom of the device and the surface on which it will be installed, there must be a gap of 30 ... 50 mm. In its top cover, a viewing window 100x100 mm, closed with glass, should be made. If there is no forced ventilation in the incubator, then the glass should be slightly opened during operation, leaving a gap of 10 ... 15 mm.

And one more nuance: one of the side surfaces of the incubator must have a door for changing water and other actions related to servicing the chamber.

Incubator Tray

In order for the eggs to be carefully placed in the interior of the incubator, we need to make a special tray. In our case, it can be made on the basis of a wooden frame, which is covered with fine mesh from below. As a mesh, both an ordinary mosquito, used in the design of modern window glass units, and a metal (maybe different) mesh with a cell size comparable to 5x5 mm (but no more) are suitable. In order to prevent sagging of the mesh, a couple of small rails can be nailed to the bottom of the tray, which will comprehensively strengthen the design of the tray.

In order to make it more convenient to turn the eggs during the incubation process, the tray should be equipped with an inserted wooden grate. For convenience, several gratings can be made at once, having different sizes of internal cells. So, for quail eggs, a grid with a cell size of 45x35 mm is suitable, for a chicken egg, cells with a size of 67x75 mm are needed. If you want to lay goose eggs in the incubator, then the cells must be of the appropriate size - 90x60 mm. The width of the grate should be 5 mm less than the tray itself. In length, it should be shorter by 50 ... 60 mm - for quail eggs, by 80 ... 90 mm - for chicken eggs and by 100 ... 110 mm - for goose eggs. Thus, by moving the grate along the tray, you can turn the eggs 180 degrees. In order to evenly warm the eggs over time, a similar procedure should be performed approximately once every 2 to 3 hours.

Egg Turning Tray

The height of the sides of the tray itself should be 70–80 mm. The tray should be installed on legs 100 mm high.

This is the simplest tray design that allows you to turn all the eggs at the same time. But in order for the design of the incubator to be more modern, the process of turning eggs can be automated. And this will require some technical improvements.

How to make a coup in an incubator

In order to automate the process of turning eggs in an incubator, it is necessary to introduce an electromechanical drive into its design that operates after a certain period of time (as we have already said, it is 2-3 hours). The accuracy of the time interval will be provided by a special time relay. The relay can be purchased ready-made. Those who like to “dig deeper” into microcircuits can make it on their own, taking electronic or even mechanical watches as a basis, which are easy to buy both in Moscow and in any village.

Here is what a FORUMHOUSE user writes about this.

mednagolov

Now on sale it is easy to purchase Chinese electromechanical relays with a 24-hour cycle. In fact, this is an elementary watch with a plug that is plugged into a socket, and on the case of this watch there is a socket into which a consumer is stuck, inside the watch a tiny electric motor turns. There is no need to start them, in the circle of the dial, lined for 24 hours, there are “pressers” with which you set the time intervals.

The electric motor must necessarily transmit torque through the gearbox. This will help make the grate move smoothly and keep the eggs intact.

The grid of the tray should move along the guides. The walls of the tray can play the role of guides. But in order to avoid accidental jamming, this mechanism can be improved. To do this, a metal axis protruding from both ends should be attached along the central axis of the lattice. It will play the role of a reliable guide. The axis will be inserted into special grooves made on the sides of the tray. This design is reliable, it can be easily assembled and, if necessary, quickly disassembled.

In order to drive the egg grill, we need a reciprocating mechanism consisting of an electric motor, a gearbox, a crank mechanism and a rod connecting the drive to the tray grill.

Device for flipping eggs in an incubator.

As an electric motor, you can use special "motors" for microwaves, which are commercially available. Also, some craftsmen create an electromechanical drive based on the mechanism that is part of car wipers. Or here is a way out of the situation that the forum member mednagolov came up with: the drive of the egg-turning mechanism from el. remote control ball valve motor d=3/4 220v (has an extremely powerful and durable gearbox, as well as end position microswitches).

He used the power supply from an old computer, and the time relay was a mechanism from a Chinese clock, which was described a little higher.
The mechanism functions as follows: the relay closes the electrical circuit after a specified period of time. The mechanism is set in motion and moves the tray grate, turning the eggs. Then the end position signaling devices (limit switches) are triggered, and the grille is fixed in the opposite extreme position. After a predetermined time, the cycle is repeated, and the grate returns to its original position. The whole process in a homemade product takes place without human intervention.

Incubator heating

The correct placement of the heating elements in the incubator chamber is the key to success, ensuring the hatching of healthy and strong chicks. As heating elements, it is customary to use ordinary incandescent bulbs. Ideally, they are best placed above the egg tray, evenly spaced around the perimeter of the incubator. The tray and the heating element should be separated by a distance of at least 25 cm. In a homemade incubator, low power bulbs, 25 watts, etc., should be used. The total power of the heating elements used in such an incubator should be 80 watts - for a device designed for the simultaneous hatching of 50 chicks.

The lower the power of the heating elements, the more uniform the distribution of heat in the incubation chamber.

When placing lamps on the walls of the chamber, one should also monitor their uniform arrangement around the entire perimeter. Be aware that by using a series electrical connection of heating elements, you can significantly extend their service life. But the power of each consumer in this case will be halved. This should be taken into account when calculating the number of heating elements, because with the appropriate connection method, the number of consumers will have to double.

Temperature control

As we already know, the temperature in the incubator chamber must exactly match the specified parameters. Otherwise, such a device is worthless. The optimal temperature for hatching chickens in artificial conditions is from 37.5 to 38.3º C. But it should be strictly observed. A regular thermostat, which can be purchased at the store without any problems, will help maintain the set range. It is necessary that this instrument provide an accuracy of temperature values corresponding to 0.2 ° C. An error greater than the value presented can be detrimental to developing embryos.

Connecting the thermostat to the heating elements to a person who decided to make an incubator with his own hands, we think, will not be difficult. The main thing is to ensure that the temperature sensors are near the egg tray. For more accurate readings, the sensors can even be mounted on the tray. As an additional means of control, a conventional thermometer should be used. It is better if it is electronic, capable of showing tenths of a degree. But in extreme cases, an ordinary alcohol thermometer is also suitable. It should be fixed in the chamber in such a way that it is located immediately above the tray. In this case, his readings can be taken, looking through the viewing glass.

heat accumulator

JG_ FORUMHOUSE member

In order for the temperature to drop more slowly, it is necessary to use a thermal accumulator. I used water as TA. It gives moisture and still gains temperature, and when turned off, it gives it away for a long time, preventing the temperature from dropping quickly. Only the water container should be large. You can just put a metal pancake or a dumbbell inside - why not TA?

It remains to add that without a humidifier in the incubator, all your efforts are doomed to failure. Therefore, a baking sheet or an open plate filled with water can be considered one of the essential elements involved in the incubation process. As for the heat accumulator, a heating pad or a plastic water bottle will never be superfluous in the interior of your incubator.

Humidity can be monitored using a psychrometer, which can be purchased at a home improvement store. The optimum humidity in the incubator should be 50-55% (it can be increased to 65-70% just before hatching).

Incubator ventilation

Many owners of homemade incubators believe that the fan is an integral part of such a device. But practice shows that a small incubator, the number of eggs in which does not exceed 50 pieces, can do without forced ventilation. Air convection in it occurs naturally and this is sufficient to maintain the vital activity of the embryos.

If the chamber of your incubator is designed for a larger number of eggs, or if you want to create an ideal microclimate inside the device by all means, then for these purposes you can use special fans with a diameter of 80 to 200 mm (depending on the volume of the chamber).

The fan can be mounted in the top cover of the incubator in such a way that it draws air from the interior of the chamber. Part of the air flow will go outside, and its main volume will be reflected from the cover and pass over the lower supply openings, mixing warm air with cold air and enriching it with oxygen.

That, perhaps, is all. You can find out the different opinions of our users regarding the design, as well as get acquainted with their practical developments in this topic. We also have information for those interested in performance. If you want to create more at home, in the design of which there are powerful components and complex ventilation schemes, then you should visit this section.

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:

Development of drawings showing a clear location of each part of the future incubator.
Dismantling the refrigerator and removing all unnecessary details: the freezer, trays on the doors and other elements of secondary importance.
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).
Fastening sheets of expanded polystyrene to the inner walls of the case (you can use double-sided mounting tape or small self-tapping screws).
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).
Installation of a purchased thermostat on the outer part of the door and its connection to the heating elements.
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).
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.
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.

Everyone involved in poultry has at least once observed how hens (and chickens, and ducks, and geese, and turkeys, and any other bird) turn eggs over with their beaks in the nest.

This is done for several reasons, including:

When turned over, the eggs heat up more evenly, since the heat source is located on only one side.
Eggs “breathe” better (in the case of an incubator, this is not as important as with natural incubation, but many farmers, even in incubators, arrange ventilation for the eggs, providing them with fresh air).
Turning the eggs ensures the proper development of the chick (the embryo without egg movement can stick to the shell membrane, the percentage of hatched eggs can be greatly reduced).

Allantois is the embryonic membrane that serves as the respiratory organ of the embryo. In birds, the allantois is formed along the walls of the shell around the embryo.

The time of closure of the embryonic membrane in all species of birds is different.

You can track the process using an ovoscope. When translucent, the eggs become dark from the sharp end, and an enlarged air chamber is observed in the blunt one.

The mechanism of turning eggs in an incubator - the choice of the optimal method

Eggs should be turned over at least 2 times a day when laying horizontally (180 ° - half a turn). Although some bird breeders recommend doing this more often - every 4 hours.

The modern range of incubators involves a large number of device models with different functionality.
The most inexpensive models are not equipped with an automatic flip mechanism. And therefore, the procedure will have to be performed manually according to a predetermined schedule with a timer. In order not to get confused, a special register is started, and marks are put on the eggs with a marker.

More functional models of incubators can be equipped with automatic overturning.

Mechanical turning of eggs in an incubator most often there are two types:

Framework,
Inclined.

The first type of mechanism works on the principle of rolling eggs. That is, the lower part of the egg is stopped by the supporting surface due to friction, and the special frame, moving, pushes the egg, thereby scrolling it about the axis.

With this type of flip, the eggs are only laid horizontally in the incubator. The frame can move by pushing to one of the sides, or it can rotate about the axis.

The second type of mechanism involves a design that works on the principle of a swing. Eggs in this version are loaded only vertically.

Benefits of a frame turn

The device consumes little energy for turning and therefore can even use a backup current source for operation (in case of a power outage).
The rotation mechanism is quite easy to maintain and functional to use.
Such an incubator has small dimensions and does not take up much space.

disadvantages

The shift mechanism assumes that the shell is perfectly clean, even a small amount of contamination can stop the egg, and it will not turn.
The shear step directly affects the turning radius of the egg. If the eggs are larger or, conversely, smaller in diameter, laid down by the device manufacturers, then the angle of rotation will be significantly changed up or down (incubators with a circular movement of the frames do not have such a disadvantage, all eggs will completely turn over).
Some manufacturers of incubators do not take into account the dimensions of the eggs, they make low frames and therefore, when sheared, the eggs can beat against each other. With a sharp movement of the frame due to a malfunction of the equipment (backlash, incorrect adjustment, etc.), again, the eggs may suffer.

Advantages of inclined egg flippers

Eggs are guaranteed to rotate by a given degree, no matter what diameter they are. That is, incubators with an inclined turning mechanism can be safely called universal. They are suitable for eggs of any poultry.
Such a flip mechanism is the safest, in comparison with the frame ones, since the horizontal amplitude of movements is small, which means that the eggs will beat each other less.

disadvantages

The swing mechanism is more difficult to maintain than the frame mechanism.
The cost of incubators with such automatic egg turning is often high.
Dimensions of end devices and power consumption are higher than frame counterparts.

The choice of the most optimal mechanism, as with the choice of any other device, depends on many factors (the final price of the device, other additional functionality, dimensions, power consumption, etc.), as well as the individual preferences of the breeder.

Egg flip tray in the incubator - nuances

The simplest and most functional variant of the mechanism for turning eggs in an incubator- sliding. Most often, the choice for incubators with such equipment falls due to the low final cost.

Below we will consider what to look for when buying such a unit.

The tray has a certain amount of loading eggs. This indicator is the first thing you need to pay attention to. The capacity of the incubator should be chosen according to the planned population of the poultry house. It makes no sense to take a large supply, since an increase in the population directly affects the increase in the area of \u200b\u200bthe chicken coop (or room for growing other types of birds).

Some models of trays are made in the form of thin frames. They are the most inexpensive, however, the most unsafe (the frames bend easily, which can cause the mechanism to fail, with a large diameter, the eggs can touch each other, hanging outside the cell, which is dangerous when moving, etc.). It is best to choose trays with fully insulated cells (on all 4 sides of the egg) with high sides.

The size of the cell and the step of shifting the tray directly affect the angle of rotation of the egg. Therefore, the size of the cell should be selected based on the type of eggs. It is not recommended to lay eggs with a small diameter in large cells. For example, for quail eggs, the tray should have a smaller cell size, for turkey eggs, a larger one, etc.

If you want a versatile auto-rotate incubator for different types of eggs, your best bet is to look for tray models with removable dividers. They allow you to choose the required size. In such incubators, it is possible to lay different types of eggs at the same time (there should be eggs of the same diameter in one row).

How to make a homemade chicken egg flipper in an incubator

In order to make an automatic egg flip mechanism for an incubator, you will need knowledge of mechanics and electrical engineering.

Below we consider a simple example of creating a mechanism with a horizontal displacement of the tray by an electric drive.

Due to the wide variety of engines and methods of technical implementation of the movement, it will not be difficult to find the necessary materials.

You can always purchase an auto-rotate incubator option, so creating a do-it-yourself mechanism is justified only when the price of the tools and materials used does not exceed the price of the finished device.

Wiring diagram of the auto-rotate device

Frame auto-rotate for eggs from simple materials

Basic principles to follow:

The circular motion of the motor rotor must be converted into a reciprocating horizontal motion. This is carried out with the help of a connecting rod mechanism, when a rod fixed at one of the points of the circle transfers the cyclic circular motion being made to the reciprocating motion of the other end.

Due to the fact that many rotary engines have a large number of revolutions per unit time, in order to convert frequent rotations of the axis into rare ones, it is necessary to use a combination of gears with different gear ratios. The number of turns of the final gear must correspond to the time of turning the eggs (in finished models, the turn is carried out once every 4 hours). That is one turn approximately in 2-4 hours.

The reciprocating movement of the rod in one direction should be the full diameter of the egg - this is about 4 cm, or 8 cm - the total length (turn in each direction will be 180 °, that is, for one full cycle of the last gear - 360 ° turn of the egg) . To put it simply, the radius of the rod attachment point on the last gear should be equal to the radius of the egg (or a little more).

VIDEO INSTRUCTION

The assembled mechanism will work as follows:

The motor rotates at a high frequency.
The gear system converts the high rotation speed of the motor shaft into a rare one (approximately 1 rotation in 4-8 hours).
The rod connecting the last gear and the egg tray converts the circular movements into horizontal reciprocating movements of the tray (for a distance equal to the diameter of the egg).