DIY Cabinet Incubator and New Ideas!

[Scott214]

I am looking to create my own, more dependable incubator that holds up to 200 or more eggs. I have seen cabinet incubators that look like a cabinet still and I love that design. Some things I want incorporated in it are auto turners, fans, see through glass, I thought it would be cool to have it in layers to have the bottom be the eggs from day 1-18 and separate the top for the hatching and maybe have a humidifier in that section. Any help or added on ideas would be great! Any advice and things that worked and things that didn’t would be great! This is going indoors not out in a garage. So any help please! This is my first one. I just hate spending so much on a big incubator that doesn’t work as good as something I could make myself for less! Also any recycled parts ideas would be great!

 

[lazy gardener]

Check out the many DIY videos by Rush Lane Poultry.

 

[Scott214]

I will definitely look into that thank you so so much!

 

[mdees88]

Here's the best video I've found on youtube...

 

[Scott214]

Here are my sketches and I know they need a few adjustments but I think having the egg trays be connected on one end and it be connected to a motor that will bring one side up and down so it turns them, then knowing humidity rises I could have a thin barrier between the top part and bottom but have holes for air flow and put humidity in one section without disturbing the humidity in the bottom right? And instead of one thermostat I would need two for the top and bottom and have my heat source on the back next to the fan.

 

[mdees88]

Long story short I started building my own cabinet incubator a while back. Well after buying most of what I needed I ended up finding a very good deal on 4 GQF cabinet incubators and I bought them. After doing the math I was going to end up having around $350 in my incubator. So honestly if I were you I would look HARD for a used GQF cabinet. I bought 4 for $1000 and sold 2 to a friend. I've seen them for sale on craigslist anywhere from $200-$400.

If you really want to build one here's what I was going to use. Basically I would copy the layout of the GQF cabinet. I bought four (only need two) electric fans off of amazon for $15 https://www.amazon.com/Rosewill-Bea...UTF8&qid=1525139109&sr=1-4&keywords=120mm+fan

I bought a temperature controller off amazon for $16 https://www.amazon.com/Inkbird-All-...138995&sr=8-4&keywords=temperature+controller

I bought a GQF model 3015 225W heating element for $25. http://www.gqfmfg.com/cabinet-model...w/wire-lead-attatched-6-porcelain-insulators/

I HIGHLY recommend getting a GQF model 3030 Water Reserve System. This will keep a constant level of water in the incubator throughout the enire hatch. This way you never have to open the door to add water. http://www.gqfmfg.com/cabinet-accessories/3030-water-reserve-system/

You'll need two sheets of plywood and some type of sealer/paint. Plywood will run you anywhere from $30-$50 a sheet depending on how nice you want it to look. You might be able to find an old cabinet or nightstand that you can convert into an incubator if the size is right. But most cabinets are cheaply made using thin materials surprisingly. I would go with 1/2" plywood or larger. Also if you planning on adding a Plexiglas door that adds another $100. You can incorporate a pane of glass into a wood door for much cheaper.

You will also need some egg turners. This is where a significant amount of the cost is. I was going to buy 3 Little Giant turners from tractor supply for $50 each. You can build your own, especially if you build a wooden that you operate by hand from outside of the incubator...

Basically you build the cabinet around the dimension of the egg turners. The top shelf does not go all the way to the back wall. There is a gap that allows air to flow down towards the bottom of the incubator. The water pan sits on this shelf. There is a wall on this shelf near the back that the fans and heating element go into. Remember the fan blows towards the back wall. It pulls air across the water pan, then through the heating element, then it goes through the fan and is forced towards the bottom of the incubator. This is how GQF does it anyway. I'll attach some pics of my GQF with the back off so you can see what I'm talking about

It would be a lot of fun to build one but honestly it's more cost effective to buy a used GQF. Plus the egg turner is built like a tank. It also has a two-way switch so you can level the egg trays instantly instead of waiting an hour for them to turn. Also my incubator is probably 20 years old and everything works like new AND they have a replacement for every part of it AND the design hasn't really changed at all in the last couple decades. It's a quality product. Anyway good luck with your build either way you do it.... Matt

 

[Kruchti]

I would have a Hatcher as one unit and incubator as a second unit.
I would look into buying a used one, unless you really just want to build one.

 

[Scott214]

I used one would be great! I will look into it. I do love in the holler of West Virginia so finding stuff is a little tricky but if i can get a deal for 200-300 dollars I can’t beat that it would cost the same to build one that might not work. Besides craigslist where could I maybe find one?

 

[Kruchti]

Look into your local swap and sell area.
Facebook usually has groups that are for areas.
Check newspapers too.
If there is a poultry auction check there.
Look at local dealers, they may have used equipment.

My husband got me one off of eBay. It went reasonable as they would not ship it.

 

[mdees88]

You can design it how you want but if your going to build one I would recommend copying GQF's design. They been making them the exact same way forever. Getting the proper airflow and heat dispersion is CRITICAL. My incubator has less than a 1 full degree difference between the top and the bottom.

I too recommend having a separate hatcher... IF.... you will be doing staggered hatches. If you are going to set all the eggs at once then you can just hatch in the bottom of the cabinet. It is critical to not open the incubator during lockdown. I've heard it forever but I witnessed shrink wrapped eggs for the first time this weekend.

I love building stuff and was really excited to build an incubator but I'll be honest I'm very glad I came across the ones I bought. After owning these and hatching a couple hundred quail I would not hesitate to buy a new one. I always thought the price tag was insane but it really is a piece of quality, American made equipment. The new ones are made out of plastic board. I priced a 4x8 sheet of 1/2" starboard and it would cost me around $400 after shipping. But buying used is your best bet IMO.

Anyway if you do decide to build one here's a basic sketch of how the GQF works...