Home made incubator?

[Teepea]

So I have a mini incubator but this year it couldn’t fit all my goose eggs the way it usually does ( she laid too many). So I’ve taken a Polystyrene box and cut a hole In its lid, attaching the mini incubator motor to it. I’ve put the temperature up to 37.8 degrees Celsius to compensate for it being a bit further from the eggs it would normally be. My question is, will it work?

 

[Teepea]

 

[True Patriot]

It should hold temperature, what are you planning on for controlling humidity? And there's a lot of open space for heat/humidity loss when opened to turn eggs. I would consider some type of window in either top or front to monitor progress and thermometer/hygrometer without opening.

 

[Teepea]

It should hold temperature, what are you planning on for controlling humidity? And there's a lot of open space for heat/humidity loss when opened to turn eggs. I would consider some type of window in either top or front to monitor progress and thermometer/hygrometer without opening.

I’ve put in the water tray from the mini and filled it up, but a window would be a good idea. How do you think I should do this?

 

[True Patriot]

A simple piece of clear plastic taped over a cut hole would work. If you do inside and out there will be less heat loss.

 

[Teepea]

A simple piece of clear plastic taped over a cut hole would work. If you do inside and out there will be less heat loss.

So, I did the thing and cut out a window. I also purchased a hygrometer/ thermometer. However, once I did that I found I needed to make a bunch of changes. For one thing, even though the incubator temperature said it was 37.5 it was actually only around 25 and the humidity was at 70%. Both waaaay outa where they should be. So I’ve moved the eggs closer to the heat and have reduced the space it needs to heat, I also took out a lot of the water. Now this is as good as I seem to be able to make it. I’m fine with the humidity, as I can spray them daily but I’m worried about the temperature.

 

[Teepea]

Also my incubator won’t go any hotter so I can’t raise the temperature anymore

 

[Shamo Hybrid]

What's the highest setting point on that incubator? It might be defective, are you still in the window of return?

 

[True Patriot]

Hard to say what you should do. The heater in the original incubator wasn't intended for that much room. A light bulb inside may help. Start small maybe 25 Watt and work up until the incubator heater can compensate and maintain the temperature you want. Give each bulb at least 12 hours to stabilize the temp. It's not a perfect solution, but I can't think of anything else to try.

 

[Teepea]

What's the highest setting point on that incubator? It might be defective, are you still in the window of return?

It won’t go above 39.5 degrees, and the eggs were laid on 4-5 days ago