Hatching eggs without an incubator

[brybagchicken]

Hi all found out i have a roo(kind of always thought he was) and now my kids want to see if we can hatch our own baby chicks without an incubator. Any ideas and any helpful advice greatly appreciagrf

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Any thing you construct to incubate without the use of a broody hen will be an incubator - there are tons of DIY incubator projects that can be constructed out of things you may have around the house or be able to obtain inexpensively, I would suggest searching here on BYC and also on sites like youtube as there you have the advantage of step by step video instruction to follow.

 

[cactusrota]

One can be made for as little as $30. An old cooler that's cruddy and leaks and you don't know what to do with it, a heat lamp with the hood removed and a 25w bulb for heat. Decent temperature contollers can be had off of Amazon for as little as $13. And a low CFM computer fan, but that's an option really. Some directions call for using a hot water heater thermostat from the hardware store, but I wouldn't suggest it, the termperature fluctuates too much and you'll get a lower hatch rate because of that. Then you just MacGuyver it all together, a great learning experience for kids.

 

[donrae]

Pray for a broody hen

Not sure why no incubator? How do you plan to warm the eggs? That's all an incubator is, an insulated box that holds temperature (and humidity).

go to you tube and look at Rush Lane's videos. he walks you through step by step to make an inexpensive, very functional incubator.

 

[brybagchicken]

Ok quick question. I have a chicken that seems really clingy to the co-op. She goes out in the yard with the others then comes back to the co-op after a few minutes. I was in the co-op refilling food bowls and water and she runs in and is making this really odd clucking sound. First time I am experiencing this what is going on. My boys are hoping for baby chicks ( found out the other day we have a roo) any helpful info is truly appreciated.

 

[cactusrota]

Do you know how old your birds are?

 

[brybagchicken]

Over a year

 

[Foghorn55]

I was wondering how you know a hen is "broody". I have 4 hens. If I stop collecting the eggs will one of the girls sit on them?

 

[bramblefir]

A broody hen will stay in the nest almost all, leaving only 1-2 times a day to eat, drink, and poop. She'll have a somewhat bare patch on her breast where she's plucked out her feathers.

She will likely be growling if anybody approaches her nest. When she's off the nest she'll have a characteristic clicking noise and will likely be fluffed up with her tail fanned out like a turkey.

Also, she'll stay in the nest at night instead of getting on the roost with the others.