Homemade incubator with automatic egg flip: do-it-yourself device and mechanism

A few decades ago, almost no one used automatic incubators. Such devices were considered a luxury, as many poultry farmers could not afford them. However, today they have become more affordable, and therefore everyone can make a homemade incubator with automatic egg flipping.

What do you need?

Many beginner poultry farmers are not sure if they need an automated incubator and don't know what it is for. This device is indispensable, as it turns chicken eggs on its own.This greatly simplifies the process of incubating the testicles, because the person will not need to turn them over manually.

It is imperative to turn the testicles, as this contributes to the proper development of the young fetus. If this is not done, the chicken will grow up sick and soon die. Professional biologists say that you need to turn them over at least three times a day.

Basic requirements for homemade incubators

Homemade incubator design must meet the requirements, thanks to which new chicks can be bred. Young chickens hatch within twenty-five days. At this time, the humidity in the structure should be 50-64 percent. When the chicks begin to hatch, the humidity level rises to 75 percent. In the past few days, it has been lowered to its original levels.

Also, the temperature regime must be maintained in the incubator. The temperature inside should not fall below 37 degrees and rise above 39 degrees.

Advantages and disadvantages of homemade devices

Automated constructs have advantages and disadvantages that should be considered before using them.

Among the advantages stand out:

• compact;
• attractive appearance;
• ease of use;
• automated work.

However, such devices have several disadvantages, which include the following:

• Automated incubators must be filled completely. This makes it difficult for people who are going to raise few chickens.
• Periodically overheat. Due to overheating, some of the embryos may die.

How to make an automatic egg incubator at home?

Before you make an incubator with your own hands, you need to familiarize yourself with the features of creating a design.

Size Calculation

It is recommended to deal with the dimensions of the future incubation structure in advance. To determine the size, you will have to decide in advance how many chickens will be raised. It depends on this the number of eggs that will be laid in the incubator. In addition, the dimensions of the device depend on the material of manufacture and the features of the heating system used.

Most often, poultry farmers make designs that fit 100 testicles. In addition, each egg cell should have a diameter of at least 40 millimeters and a depth of about 75 millimeters.

Necessary tools and materials for work

Before making the incubator, it is necessary to prepare materials and tools for the work in advance. To assemble the structure you will need:

• Drill. This is an indispensable device with which holes are created for installing fasteners.
• Mounting adhesive. Some structural details cannot be fixed with screws or nails. Instead, they are connected using a special mounting adhesive.
• Knife. Used to cut fabric or rubber materials.
• Light bulb. It is used when organizing heating inside the incubator.
• Refrigerator. The body of the structure is created from it.
• Hygrometer. It is used to monitor the level of humidity in the device.
• Temperature regulator. An indispensable part of automated incubation systems that controls temperature indicators.

Incubator body

The efficiency of the further work of the created device directly depends on the preparation of the hull. Therefore, it is necessary to familiarize yourself in advance with how to create it correctly.

The case for the incubator can be made from an old unnecessary refrigerator. For this, a freezer and other equipment that is built inside is removed from it. Then small holes are made in the walls of the refrigerator, through which air is circulated. After organizing the ventilation system inside, you can install egg trays.

Tray system

The system of trays that are installed inside the structure is made in the form of a grid. A small lattice with cells for eggs is installed inside it. Such trays differ in the number of cells. The most commonly used systems are those that hold a hundred testicles. However, for more compact designs, less capacious systems are used, in which there are only 60-70 cells.

For automated systems, tray models equipped with special sides to support eggs are used. They are made of durable cardboard or foam rubber.

Heating element

People who decide to make an incubator with their own hands will have to equip the heating system. 40 W incandescent lamps are used as heating elements. They are located at the top and bottom of the refrigerator. At the same time, they must be positioned in such a way that the bulbs located below do not interfere. Therefore, before organizing a heating system, everything must be carefully thought out and a layout diagram made.

You also need to install one of three types of thermostat:

• barometric;
• bimetallic;
• electrocontactor.

Fan

When organizing a ventilation system inside the structure, you will have to install a small fan. It is needed to improve air circulation through the drilled holes. For a refrigerator, choose a fan that meets the following requirements:

• possibility to work from 220V network;
• structure diameter not less than thirty centimeters;
• capacity about one hundred m^3/h.

Experienced poultry farmers recommend installing special fabric filters on the fan. They prevent pieces of dirt, dust and other debris from getting into the blades.

Auto swivel mechanism

To turn laid eggs, a special turning mechanism is used, which must work at least twice a day. There are two main types of systems that are used in incubators:

• Frame. This mechanism pushes the testicles together with a small frame.
• Inclined. This is the most widely used system. In this case, all eggs are turned over due to the tilt of the filled trays.

Laying eggs in the device

After creating an incubator for growing chickens, you can start laying eggs. They must be laid very carefully, as this affects the growth and development of the embryos. For laying in the incubator, testicles no more than ten days old are used.

Before placing them inside the structure, their surface is thoroughly cleaned of contaminants. Also, they must be inspected in advance and checked for cracks or other mechanical damage.

Temperature conditions for different birds

When growing birds, observe the temperature regime:

• Chickens. The optimal temperature indicators consider the temperature at the level of 37 degrees Celsius. The growing period lasts 20-25 days.
• Ducks. The incubation period of domestic duck eggs is 28-30 days. In this case, the temperature inside the incubator should be about 35-36 degrees.
• Geese. Temperatures should not be below 36 degrees Celsius.

Conclusion

Many poultry farmers decide to make their own egg incubators. Before that, it is recommended to understand the advantages and disadvantages of such structures, as well as the features of their creation.

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