DIY incubator from mini fridge.

[@dennisnewsom1392]

Helped me alot thanks

[@HolloHomestead]

No problem glad it helped.

[@garymcdaniel9158]

I'm curious if an old cabinet style smoker would work also

[@HolloHomestead]

I don’t see why not as long as it can hold the heat. The light bulbs don’t put out a ton of heat.

[@bobbattiste980]

I have a question , why do all diy incubators except yours have lights on the top, heat rises, wouldn’t it be better to have on bottom? Honest question , please answer as I am starting one soon

[@HolloHomestead]

Honestly I am not sure that it is that big of a deal if you have a fan in it to circulate it. If you are trying to do one with out a fan I would for sure put the heat at the bottom cause you are correct it rises. Make sure you put your temperature setting probe at the level your eggs are. So that it is the correct temp where the eggs are and not just at the top or the bottom. Hence the fan. Try and keep it even

[@bobbattiste980]

Thank you , I have everything ordered, there is a new controller that also monitors humidity , so I ordered that , just have to find wine fridge

[@WhitewashStudio]

Good idea

[@HolloHomestead]

Thanks

[@andrescuervo]

Can I use the heat bulbs (red light) instead of regular tungsten bulbs?

[@HolloHomestead]

As long as they put off heat shouldn’t matter.

[@fivas]

oh shit i have an old not working fridge and i also have incubator that is kinda to small but i can use its parts to make bigger one. Thanks for idea.

[@HolloHomestead]

No problem thanks for watching. I have an update video also on this since I added a few things. But all in all works great.

[@krickette5569]

It's a year later. Were you able to hatch eggs successfully with this?

[@HolloHomestead]

Yes I have another bunch in it right now. I did put an automatic egg turner on it.

[@krickette5569]

@@HolloHomestead Thank you for the update! I'm currently collecting all the stuff necessary to build one for myself.

[@sherridonwiggins6454]

@@HolloHomestead what kind of automatic turner did you use

[@kagentk2357]

How did you “unplug” the compressor?

[@HolloHomestead]

The one I had just had the prongs on the compressor End so I could easily just unplug it. From the compressor and that allowed everything else to work. If yours doesn’t just plug in you could just cut one of the wires that goes to the compressor secure the end with wire nuts or what ever and should work. But I am not an electrician so disclaimer you should consult a professional.

[@HerschbergerQuarterhorses]

How did this end up working for you?

[@HolloHomestead]

I had pretty good luck with it. I added and egg turner and upgraded the fan a little but all in all pretty good

[@tylerbeck3604]

What's your hatch rate just curious

[@HolloHomestead]

So I don’t know exactly since I use this one and a store bought kind of in conjunction with each other. Right now my flock is young so I don’t have great fertilization. So I start all my eggs in the frigid and once they start growing I move them to the other incubator. But I would say as long as the fan doesn’t go out then it works great at keeping temp. I did have a fan go out and it did not keep temp evenly and got very hot at top.

[@maconmemories3085]

Can I paint the inside of my incubator? There are some stains that I can't remove.

[@HolloHomestead]

I don’t see why not. The inside of mine is painted sheet metal.

[@maconmemories3085]

@@HolloHomestead I was just going to use good old rust-oleum to cover the stains I can't get rid of.

[@HolloHomestead]

Yeah I would just make sure it is good an dry so the fumes are gone. Before you try and incubate anything.

[@bobbilinn4712]

I have seen where someone used dollar store trays and put large styrofoam or pressed paper pulp egg cartons with tops cut off in trays to place eggs in, pointy side down. They placed trays with cartons in them on shelves in fridge. They then cut a piece of PVC pipe and placed it under trays with one end of pipe facing door and the other end facing the back, and use it like a small rolling pin. They just roll PVC pipe from one side of tray to the other side under tray a few times a day and it gently the turns eggs in carton like an automatic turner would. I am sure you could use several small styrofoam or paper pulp cartons in lieu of a large one if that is all you have. Just a suggestion.

[@HolloHomestead]

I finally ended up buying an automatic tuner off of Amazon for like $12. I just get to lazy or forgetful 😂

[@melindadollarhide8603]

Where did you get the thermostat at

[@HolloHomestead]

I got it off Amazon for like $15 I think.

[@rogerbernhardt8480]

I like a fella that thinks like me. I also like to pick stuff up on the side of the road. Don't believe me. Ask my wife. Keep on keeping on my friend.

[@HolloHomestead]

One man’s trash is another’s treasure. Story of my life.

[@annetjanssen6580]

How is this working for you?

[@HolloHomestead]

Works good. I did add a automatic egg turner just because I am lazy and forgetful lol

[@nawazshek6678]

This quails 3000 eggs capacity this making

[@HolloHomestead]

I'm pretty sure it won't do that many eggs.

[@rickeypatterson3528]

Where did you get that thermostat control

[@HolloHomestead]

Sorry I didn’t get back quicker. www.ebay.com/itm/235053549631?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=zojhdeyaro2&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=OhRug_BQTOK&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY