If you have certain materials, you can make an incubator yourself. However, successful incubation of eggs depends on a number of factors, and in order not to spoil them at the very first laying, it is important to anticipate all possible issues in the operation of the manufactured structure. Let's consider one of the popular options for creating such a device.

Characteristics of incubators with automatic egg turning

In addition to incubators with “manual” or semi-automatic egg turning, there are automatic incubators that minimize human intervention in the process of hatching chicks. According to the time set by the owner, the automation itself performs the required revolution, and the eggs do not lie in one place.

Such machines can be built at home, but first of all, it is important to take into account all its possible advantages and cons.

Advantages

• Undeniable advantages homemade apparatus The following features can be considered:
• low cost compared to ready-made purchased models;
• economical in terms of energy consumption;
• independent selection of the required internal volume, depending on the personal needs of each farmer;
• high maintainability (if any part fails, the technician can always replace it without outside help);
• versatility (with correct collection design, a homemade incubator can be used not only for breeding chickens, but also for breeding chicks of other domestic or even exotic birds).

In addition, if the components for the future device can be found at home, then you will get the finished incubator completely free of charge.

Flaws

This group of characteristics mostly includes disadvantages associated with inaccurate calculations and the use of old materials.

• Therefore, possible disadvantages homemade devices are:
• the possibility of failure of some part of the device (especially if the incubator is made of old technology);
• independent increase in temperature or power outages, which leads to the death of embryos;
• unattractive appearance;
• lack of a warranty from the manufacturer that allows you to replace the device if it breaks.

Requirements for homemade automatic incubators

Without knowledge technical specifications incubation, not a single assembled incubator can provide good productivity, therefore, before getting down to work, it is worth considering some requirements for automatic designs:

• incubation of eggs takes at least 21 days, which means that the incubator must work exactly that long (without interruption);
• eggs should be placed inside the device at a distance of at least 1 cm from each other, which is important to consider when choosing a specific tray;
• along with the change in the stage of embryo development, the temperature inside the incubator should also change;
• automatic egg turning should be performed slowly, twice a day;
• to maintain optimal levels of humidity and ventilation, in homemade mechanism A regulator of the necessary parameters must be provided (thermostat, as well as sensors scanning the temperature level and humidity level).

Important!To use a homemade breeding incubator different types For birds, it is useful to purchase a ready-made universal tray that ensures timely turning of their eggs.

How to make an automatic egg incubator with your own hands

If you are going to create an incubator yourself, then one of the good solutions is to use an old refrigerator. Of course, it will have to be completed and the consumables selected correctly.
To do this, you need to make sure that the finished structure:

• had holes for ventilation and maintaining humidity at a level of 40–60% (drilled in the body, after which tubes are placed in them to protect against interaction of air with glass wool);
• provided for the regulation and maintenance of temperature indicators;
• ensured the ventilation speed of eggs was 5 m/s;
• guaranteed timely egg turning.

However, all this will be calculated during the actual collection, and first you should correctly calculate the size of the device and select all consumables.

How to calculate the size?

The dimensions of the finished homemade incubator will directly affect the number of eggs for one laying, so if it is important for you to get as many chicks as possible at a time, then we suggest focusing on the following approximate values:

Regarding external dimensions devices, they depend on the chosen material, because, for example, foam plastic will be more voluminous than cardboard. In addition, when manufacturing structures with several floors, completely different technologies will be used, which means that calculations will be made taking into account the parameters of each tier.

The size of the incubator will also be affected by:

• type of heating system;
• placement of lamps;
• placement of trays.

In order not to make mistakes in calculations when designing an incubator, it is important to adhere to a pre-designed diagram, which for a small device for 45 eggs may look like this:

Consumables and tools for work

The design of an incubator has much in common with the design of a refrigerator, which will make a good case: the walls refrigeration equipment They retain heat well, and you can use existing shelves as shelving.

Did you know? In Russia, the first mass production of incubators dates back to the beginning of the 19th century, and the volume of such machines was very impressive: 16–24 thousand eggs could be placed in them at a time.

Main list necessary tools and materials will look like this:

• old refrigerator (maybe the oldest model, but intact and working);
• 25 W light bulbs (4 pcs.);
• fan;
• metal rod or chain with sprocket;
• a drive that ensures the eggs are turned over (for example, a gearmotor from a car windshield wiper);
• drill;
• thermostat;
• thermometer;
• screwdriver and screws.

How to make an incubator with automatic tray turning with your own hands: video

Approximate diagram of the finished product:

Step-by-step manufacturing instructions

The entire process of making a home incubator from an old refrigerator will take only a few hours, as it consists of a small number of main steps:

1. Development of drawings showing the clear location of every detail of the future incubator.
2. Dismantling the refrigerator and removing all unnecessary details: freezer, trays on doors and other elements of secondary importance.
3. Organization of a ventilation system (you need to drill one hole in the ceiling of the refrigerator, and make three more in the lower part, closer to the bottom, inserting plastic tubes into them).
4. Attaching sheets of polystyrene foam to the inner walls of the case (you can use double-sided mounting tape or small self-tapping screws).
5. Installation of a heating system. The prepared 4 incandescent lamps must be secured at the bottom and top of the refrigerator body (two pieces each), and the lower lamps should not interfere with the placement of the water container (small self-tapping screws can be used for fastening).
6. Installation of a purchased thermostat on the outer part of the door and its connection to the heating elements.
7. Creating a turning mechanism using a car gearbox. To begin, use metal strips and self-tapping screws to secure this element to the bottom of the refrigerator. Then, inside the device, install wooden frame and attach the trays to it, only so that they can tilt 60°, first towards the door and then in the opposite direction. Attach a rod connected to the tray on the opposite side of the refrigerator to the gear motor (the motor will act on the rod, and it, in turn, will begin to tilt the tray and provide rotation).
8. Installation of a viewing window. Cut a small hole on the outside of the refrigerator door and line it with glass or clear plastic. Reinforce all joints with tape or sealant.
9. Installing a tray with water and attaching a thermometer inside the refrigerator, only so that it can be seen through the viewing window.

Finally, you should check the functionality of all mechanisms by turning on the device for several hours.

Laying eggs in the incubator

Before being placed in an incubator, all eggs must lie in the room for at least 8 hours, because if they were previously in cool conditions, then when placed in a warm incubator, the formation of condensation is possible.
No less important stage preparation is the culling of unsuitable eggs.

So, the following specimens are not suitable for further incubation:

• small size;
• with cracks, growths or any other uncharacteristic features on the shell;
• with freely moving yolk;
• with a displaced air chamber (more than two millimeters).

The next stage is direct placement into the incubator, which also has its own characteristics:

• on one tray it is advisable to place eggs close to each other in size, and preferably from the same type of bird;
• first of all, the largest eggs should be laid out on the trays, followed by medium and small ones, taking into account the incubation period (on average, at least 4 hours should pass between the laying of each subsequent group);
• If possible, it is worth rescheduling the booking time to evening hours, due to which the chicks should appear in the morning;
• It is advisable to place the incubator in a room with stable temperatures to make it easier for the device to maintain the indicators inside;
• For complete control over the incubation process, get yourself a calendar in which you need to note the date of laying, the date and time of the turning, as well as the date of the control ovoscopy of the eggs.

The duration of incubation of different types of poultry has significant differences, which means turning the eggs should be done differently.
In addition, the conditions for embryo development will also vary:

• for chicken eggs, the temperature inside the device must be monitored every hour, maintaining it at +37.9 °C for the first 11 days, with a humidity of no more than 66%;
• for duck eggs, the optimal values ​​are +38…+38.2 °C, with a humidity of 70%.

Did you know?Chickens are excellent at remembering faces and are able to retain up to a hundred images in their memory, not only human ones, but also animals.

Temperature conditions for different types of poultry

The right temperature is one of the most important conditions incubation, without which hatching of chicks is simply impossible.

For each type of bird, these indicators are purely individual, so when laying eggs from chickens, ducks, geese or turkeys, you should focus on the following values:

In general, a homemade incubator - good decision both for those who are just trying their hand at poultry farming, and for experienced farmers who do not want to spend extra money on purchasing ready-made equipment. By equipping the structure with automatic egg turning, you can achieve 80–90% hatchability of chicks.

, current question for both amateur poultry farmers and professional farmers.

Industrial devices often have high price, and their application inappropriate in conditions little ones homestead farms.

To remove poultry V small quantities are quite suitable home. Moreover, to design it with desire will be able every.

Important points when making an incubator

At independent manufacturing very important moment is to create comfortable, maximum close to natural, conditions for breeding birds.

First of all it is worth taking care to constantly maintain the necessary temperatures inside the incubator and arrangement in it ventilation.

When mother hen hatches eggs independently, creating natural temperature and humidity for normal development of chicks.

IN artificial conditions, the temperature in the incubator must always be maintained at 37.5–38.6 degrees at a humidity level of 50–60% . And for uniform distribution and circulation warm air is used forced ventilation.

Attention: violation temperature regime at any stage of the incubation period (overheating, underheating, excessive or insufficient humidity) can lead to a significant slowdown in the rate of development of the chicks.

In particular, excessive humidity in the incubator negative influences embryo development in the egg and can lead to the death of the chick before it is born.

Insufficient humidity air in the device makes an egg shell overdried and very durable that unacceptable when hatching.

Making an incubator with your own hands

To create automatic incubator with your own hands You will need to make or purchase the following from the store: equipment:

• Frame for the incubator itself;
• Tray system;
• Heating element;
• Fan;
• Auto swivel mechanism .

Incubator body

Corps for a homemade incubator it can serve, washing machine made from plywood box and even unclaimed bee hive.

To maintain inside the incubator comfortable microclimate(heat preservation), walls the housings are sealed (most often with polystyrene foam), and for entry inside fresh air small holes are made.

Size incubator and quantity in it, egg trays are selected based on needs owner.

Tray system

As trays for eggs you can use durable metal mesh with cells size 2.5 cm. There will be trays hold on on special pins, which in turn will carry out automatic coup fixed trays.

L = (H-((N+15)*2))/15

Where L– number of trays, H- height of the refrigerator, N– distance of trays from heating elements.

For example: Height incubator 1 meter. To calculate maximum quantity trays for the incubator, subtract from it distance to the heating elements with a margin 6 cm(to avoid overheating), multiply by 2 and divide by height necessary for ventilation. We get:

L = (100-((6+15)*2))/15 = 3.86

Maximum quantity trays required to create an incubator is four.

Heating element

To maintain a constant temperature in a large incubator can be used heating spirals from irons, connecting them in series.

For small designs, you can get by with several incandescent lamps average power. They can be placed both “above” and “below” the trays at a distance not less than 20 cm.

Please note: When installing lamps, be sure to place a thermometer in the incubator to accurately control the temperature and install a bath of water so that the air inside the device is moist. To control humidity, a psychrometer is used, which can be purchased without any problems at any pet store.

Fan

IN small a homemade incubator will be enough one fan, For example, from an old computer. Air circulation very important in arranging the incubator and plays key role in a brood of chicks.

In addition to uniform distribution of warm air, the fan pumps up inside necessary for eggs oxygen and deletes carbon dioxide. To ensure air flow into the device, it is necessary to make several holes size 15-20 mm.

Automatic turning mechanism

Rotary pins on which the trays will be attached must be perfect aligned evenly to prevent distortion of the entire structure. A mechanism parts, connecting the trays and driving them rigidly secured among themselves.

As drive low-power ones (up to 20 watt) reduction motors And sprocket chain.

Please note: To smoothly rotate trays with eggs, you must use a chain with a minimum pitch (0.525 mm).

For complete automation process, is added to the motor power circuit relay(switch) which will on one's own turn the engine on and off.

Important to know: Before loading eggs and starting incubation, you need to check and test the created system for 3-4 days. Stabilize temperature and humidity, empirically find a place for the fan and start the turning mechanism, stabilize the turning speed and the angle of inclination of the trays.

So, manufacturing of automatic incubator at home no cost for modern technologies, the task is quite feasible. Main- compliance sequences the actions described above and extreme care for the work.

For design you can use improvised means: frame old refrigerator, washing machine, a box made of plywood or chipboard, for wall insulation - Styrofoam will do or an old blanket, a computer fan will ensure uniform distribution warm air throughout the entire volume of the structure.

Following video talks in detail about an incubator for hatching eggs with your own hands:

Many farmers are experimenting with making their own incubators. The Internet is literally replete with drawings and descriptions - from the simplest techniques to high-tech circuits. Today the topic will be somewhat highly specialized, relating only to one component of the incubator - the egg tray. Do-it-yourself incubator trays can be made in different ways, each of which has its own advantages and disadvantages. Let's look at the most common and effective methods.

Why turn eggs in an incubator?

People of the older generation probably remember the kind and clever children's story by N. Nosov about a family of chickens. So, observant young naturalists, having built an incubator with their own hands, tried to solve the problem of how exactly and how often the eggs should be turned (similar to how a hen does it).

Why turn over the material placed in the incubator? There are several reasons for this:

1. When turning, uniform heating of the embryos occurs, since the heat source in the device is fixed motionless on only one side.
2. Uniform flow of fresh air around the eggs. This problem is also relevant when incubation hatching chicks, and when using a hen.
3. Periodic turning over prevents the embryo from adhering to the shell membrane. If this is neglected, the percentage of chicks hatching is significantly reduced as the embryos die.

You can monitor the process of formation and closure of the embryonic membrane using an ovoscope. The complete closure of the allantois is indicated by an increase in air chamber at the blunt end. From the sharp end the eggs become dark.

Selecting a mechanism for turning eggs in the incubator:

• The minimum frequency of turning is twice a day.
• To lay the incubation material horizontally, make a half turn.
• Some farmers practice turning up to 6 times a day.

Turning eggs by hand is a very difficult task, especially if there are a lot of them. It is much more convenient to use a mechanical or automated turner.

There are 2 types of mechanical flippers:

• Frame.
• Inclined.

Let's take a closer look at both mechanisms.

Frame

The principle of operation of the frame mechanism is based on the rolling of eggs by a frame, they scroll around an axis.

Important! This mechanism is effective only for horizontal laying of incubation material. The frame can simply move or rotate around its axis.

Pros of frame rotation:

• Low energy intensity. During a power outage, you can use backup source energy.
• Functionality, ease of maintenance of the mechanism.
• Compact, small size.

Disadvantages of the frame mechanism:

• For efficient work mechanism, the shell must be perfectly clean. Even slight contamination impairs turning efficiency.
• The connection between turning efficiency and egg size is a problem completely eliminated in the frame rotating machine.
• There is a risk of damage to the eggs when turning - this applies to incorrectly adjusted equipment.

Inclined

The tilting mechanism works on the principle of a swing. It is used for top-loading equipment.

Advantages:

• Guaranteed rotation of eggs by a given degree, regardless of diameter. This is a universal technique that is suitable for all types of poultry.
• Safety, the risk of damage to the incubation material is small, since the amplitude of movement of the eggs is small, the eggs do not touch each other so much.

• Difficult to maintain.
• Relatively high cost.
• The equipment is large.

Important! The choice of a specific incubator model, in addition to the turning mechanism, depends on many other factors: energy consumption, size, tray capacity, cost of the device, as well as the individual preferences of the poultry farmer.

Specifics of the incubation tray

The frame turning mechanism is quite convenient and at the same time inexpensive. When choosing trays with a frame mechanism, consider the following:

• Load volume. This is the most important indicator. You need to choose one or another characteristic based on the size of the poultry house. If you are not going to increase the population, then buying equipment with a significant supply is pointless.
• The cheapest models are made in the form of thin frames. At the same time, their reliability is minimal. The frames bend easily, which can cause the mechanism to fail.

Important! The best option- models in which the cells are completely insulated and the sides are high.

• The cell size should correspond to the diameter of the egg. For example, quail eggs should not be placed in a cell for turkey eggs. The effectiveness of the mechanism depends on this.

Important! If you want to purchase a universal device that is suitable for different types of eggs, then your option is a device with removable partitions in trays. In such an incubator you can lay eggs of different sizes at the same time.

DIY incubator tray with frame rotating mechanism

For self-made An automated rotary mechanism will require retrieving knowledge of mechanics and electrical engineering from the back of my mind. The choice of electric motors is quite large, so choosing materials is not difficult. It is important to observe the following principles:

• Converting the circular motion of the rotor part of the electric motor into reciprocating movement of the frame in the horizontal plane. This can be achieved by the connecting rod mechanism, when a rod fixed at one of the points of the circle converts one type of movement into another.
• Since the electric motor rotor makes a large number of revolutions, a system of gears with different gear ratios is used to convert frequent rotations into rare movements. In this case, the turning time of the last gear should correspond to the frequency of turning the eggs (4 hours).
• The amount of reciprocating movement of the frame in one direction is equal to the full diameter of the egg.

Do-it-yourself rotating tray for an incubator with an electric drive is a troublesome task, but necessary. So, the operating principle automated system that's how it is.

Electrical diagram of the egg turning system in the incubator.

The components of the proposed electrical circuit are assembled from the simplest parts and mechanisms.

System automatic revolution eggs consists of a mechanical part connected by hinged joints to the cart on which trays with eggs are located, or directly to the trays themselves, and an electrical part, including limit switches (fixed position sensors) and an actuator unit.

Mode switch for the electrical circuit for turning eggs in the incubator.

We used a small quartz alarm clock made in China. The technological equipment of industrial incubators used a system of mechanical clocks with limit switches that were triggered by pressing adjusting bolts installed on the time scale of a disk rotating instead of arrows.

A similar system was taken as a basis.

On the dial of a quartz watch, every 90° (15, 30, 45, 60 minutes) there are contacts through which voltage is supplied to the windings of the control relay. And the contacts are closed by the minute hand, on which a small springy electrical contact is attached to the bottom side.

The dial can be processed in any way: glue slip rings, fuse wire with a hot soldering iron, place foil getinax with contact markings, use photocells, reed switches - everything is at the discretion of the designer and everything depends on the available materials.

The spring contact installed on the minute hand is made of tinned copper wire, it is softer than steel.

The arrow is plastic and it is easy to fuse it with a hot soldering iron or glue a ready-made contact.

The electrical circuit of the incubator rotary system is assembled to a minimum and is easy to assemble.

The operating principle of the electrical system for turning eggs in an incubator.

The control contacts (SAC1) close every 15 minutes. The clock works as usual.

Electric drive unit for the egg turning system in the incubator.

Any drive mechanism can be used: children's electric toys, an electric drill unit, an old mechanical alarm clock, an electric drive mechanism for a car wiper, a rotary mechanism from a household fan heater or fan, an electromagnetic traction relay with a vacuum regulator, use a ready-made one from automatic control washing machine or make your own screw with minimal details (by the way, very simple and convenient). Depends on the design and size of the incubator itself.

If you use a gearbox with a crank mechanism, then the main shaft must have a diameter longer stroke of the rotating frame (with the frame in a horizontal position on the tray). With a screw mechanism, the length of the working threaded part corresponds to the stroke distance of the egg turning system.

Electric drive of the egg turning system in the incubator screw mechanism it is controlled by an electric motor with reversible switching, that is, the engine is switched on alternately in the left and right direction of rotation.

Description of the operation of the electrical circuit of the incubator rotary system.

Powered by a battery, the quartz alarm clock operates in normal mode. At regular intervals, namely: every fifteen minutes of the current time, the minute hand, passing over the contacts fixed on the dial, brings a spring contact to them and closes through them electrical circuit. Thus, a control signal is generated for the control relay (K2 or K3).

From the reverse side of the relay (K2 or K3), the electrical signal is sent to the limit switch (SQ1 or SQ2).

There is a rod on the movable mechanism of the rotary system, which, moving together with the movable part of the system, presses on the limit switch key, being in one of the extreme positions and thereby breaking the chain: mode switch - control relay - limit switch.

Simply put, it turns out like this: from the mode switch (modified alarm clock), with its contacts closed, voltage is supplied to the control relay and then to the limit switch. If the limit switch is in the closed state, the control relay will turn on and close the drive relay control circuit with its contacts, which will supply power to the electric drive of the turning system.

The system will start and move the mechanism to one of two positions, carried out when turning the eggs in the incubator. The extreme position will be fixed by turning off the limit switch by pressing the rod moved with the frame onto the switch key.

The circuit with a reversible connection of an electric motor is slightly different in that it adds a second drive relay with two controlled (switched) contacts.

Electronics enthusiasts can use a digital timer with self-starting after a cycle or a time relay, once used by amateur photographers. There are many options. You can buy a ready-made electronic unit. Everything depends on possibilities.

List of some details.

1. SAC1 - mode switch.
2. K3 and K4 - control relays of type RES-9(10.15) or similar.
3. K1 and K2 are drive relays with switching current, respectively, according to the load current.
4. HV - light indicators.
5. SQ1 and SQ2 are limit switches. You can use microswitches (MS) from old cassette recorders.

In our difficult times, when prices for goods are rising at an inexorable pace, you will always find an area in which you can profitably apply your practical skill and theoretical knowledge. Looking at the cost of an incubator manufactured in industrial conditions, you can easily calculate the benefits of making such a device yourself. Moreover, making a home incubator with your own hands is not so difficult.

This is what a forum user says about his homemade incubator with mechanical egg turning geniuscat.

geniuscat

Briefly: an incubator for 60-70 chicken eggs, the turning is mechanical using a special grid, I don’t do it automatically at all. Heating using light bulbs, two chains. Temperature control using an electric contact thermometer. I don't trust electronics. Temperature spread across corners is 0.5 degrees. Cheap and cheerful. If you have the components, you can make an incubator in 3-4 hours.

The most important thing in manufacturing is to ensure the ability to maintain optimal performance humidity and temperature inside the device, as well as create conditions for timely turning of eggs in order to heat them evenly.

Incubator body

In most cases, the basis of everything is the body. And the incubator in in this case is no exception.

When manufacturing the case, special attention should be paid to ensuring good thermal insulation for the future device. This will allow you to avoid future troubles associated with maintaining strict temperature conditions in the incubation chamber.

For the manufacture of the case, porous polymer materials, penoplex (expanded polystyrene) 20 mm thick, etc. are quite suitable. Can also be used fiberboard sheets or chipboard, but double walls should be created with foam, felt or foam core.

The size of the incubator will directly depend on the number of eggs that are planned to be placed in the chamber at the same time. The height of the inner chamber of 50 cm will be quite enough. The area of ​​the inner base will be equal to the area of ​​the egg tray. But you need to add about 50 mm to it on each side. This is the gap that should be between the tray and the incubator body to ensure air circulation. Several holes with a diameter of 10 mm must be drilled in the lower base of the incubator, through which air exchange will take place between the internal space of the chamber and the external environment (the incubator must be constantly enriched with oxygen). For an incubator designed for 50 eggs, 6 holes are enough.

Attention! The lower holes should be positioned in such a way that they are not blocked by a baking sheet (plate) with water, which will be installed in the chamber to maintain a sufficient level of humidity.

To ensure unhindered air movement between the bottom of the device and the surface on which it will be installed, there must be a gap of 30...50 mm. In its top cover there should be a viewing window 100x100 mm, covered with glass. If there is no forced ventilation in the incubator, then the glass should be opened slightly during operation, leaving a gap of 10...15 mm.

And one more nuance: one of the side surfaces of the incubator must have a door for changing water and other actions related to servicing the chamber.

Incubator tray

In order for the eggs to be carefully placed in the interior of the incubator, we need to make a special tray. In our case, it can be made based on wooden frame, which is covered with a fine mesh underneath. Both an ordinary mosquito net, used in the design of modern double-glazed window windows, and a metal (maybe different) mesh with a cell size comparable to 5x5 mm (but no more) are suitable as a mesh. In order to prevent the mesh from sagging, a couple of small slats can be nailed to the bottom of the tray, which will comprehensively strengthen the structure of the tray.

To make it more convenient to turn the eggs during incubation, the tray should be equipped with an insert wooden lattice. For convenience, you can make several gratings at once, having different sizes internal cells. So, for quail eggs, a grid with a cell size of 45x35 mm is suitable; for chicken eggs, cells measuring 67x75 mm are needed. If you want to put goose eggs in the incubator, then the cells should be of the appropriate size - 90x60 mm. The width of the grid should be 5 mm smaller than the tray itself. In length it should be shorter by 50...60 mm - for quail, by 80...90 mm - for chicken and by 100...110 mm - for goose eggs. Thus, by moving the grill along the tray, you can turn the eggs 180 degrees. In order to heat the eggs evenly over time, a similar procedure should be performed approximately once every 2 to 3 hours.

Egg turning tray

The height of the sides of the tray itself should be 70–80 mm. The tray should be installed on legs 100 mm high.

This is the most simple design tray, allowing you to turn all the eggs at the same time. But in order to make the incubator design more modern, the process of turning eggs can be automated. And this will require some technical improvements.

How to make a revolution in an incubator

In order to automate the process of turning eggs in the incubator, it is necessary to introduce an electromechanical drive into its design, which is activated after a certain period of time (as we have already said, it is 2–3 hours). The accuracy of the time interval will be ensured by a special time relay. The relay can already be purchased at finished form. Those who like to tinker with microcircuits can make it themselves, using electronic or even mechanical watch, which are easy to buy in Moscow and in any village.

Here is what user FORUMHOUSE writes about this.

mednagolov

Nowadays it is easy to purchase Chinese electromechanical relays with a 24-hour cycle. In essence, this is a basic watch with a plug that plugs into a socket, and on the body of this watch there is a socket into which the consumer plugs, inside the clock a tiny electric motor turns. There is no need to wind them up; along the circle of the dial, marked out for 24 hours, there are “pressers” with which you set the time intervals.

The electric motor must transmit torque through the gearbox. This will help make the grate move smoothly and keep the eggs intact.

The tray grid should move along the guides. The walls of the tray can play the role of guides. But to avoid accidental jamming, this mechanism can be improved. To do this, a metal axis protruding from both ends should be attached along the central axis of the grille. She will play the role of a reliable guide. The axis will be inserted into special grooves made on the sides of the tray. This design is reliable, it can be easily assembled and, if necessary, quickly disassembled.

In order to drive the grid with eggs, we need a reciprocating mechanism consisting of an electric motor, a gearbox, a crank mechanism and a rod connecting the drive to the tray grid.

A device for turning eggs in an incubator.

As an electric motor, you can use special “motors” for microwave ovens, which are commercially available. Also, some craftsmen create an electromechanical drive based on the mechanism that is part of car wipers. Or here’s a way out of the situation that forum member Mednagolov came up with: the drive of the egg turning mechanism is electric. engine ball valve remote control d=3/4 220v (has an extremely powerful and durable gearbox, as well as microswitches for end positions).

He used the power supply from an old computer, and the time relay was a mechanism from chinese watches, which was written about just above.
The mechanism operates as follows: the relay closes the electrical circuit after a specified period of time. The mechanism is driven and moves the tray grid, turning the eggs. Then the limit position switches (limit switches) are activated and the grille is fixed in the opposite extreme position. Through specified time the cycle is repeated, and the grate returns to its original position. The entire homemade process occurs without human intervention.

Incubator heating

Proper placement of heating elements in the incubator chamber is the key to success, ensuring the hatching of healthy and strong chicks. It is customary to use ordinary incandescent light bulbs as heating elements. Ideally, they are best installed above the tray with eggs, evenly spaced around the perimeter of the incubator. The tray and heating element must be separated by a distance of at least 25 cm. Light bulbs should be used in a homemade incubator low power, 25 Watt, etc. The total power of the heating elements used in such an incubator should be 80 watts - for a device designed for the simultaneous hatching of 50 chicks.

The lower the power of the heating elements, the more evenly the heat is distributed in the incubation chamber.

When placing lamps on the walls of the chamber, you should also ensure that they are evenly positioned around the entire perimeter. Know that using sequential electrical connection heating elements, you can significantly extend their service life. But the power of each consumer in this case will be halved. This should be taken into account when calculating the number of heating elements, because with the appropriate connection method the number of consumers will have to double.

Temperature control

As we already know, the temperature in the incubator chamber must exactly correspond to the specified parameters. Otherwise, such a device is worthless. Optimal for hatching chicks in artificial conditions is a temperature from 37.5 to 38.3º C. But it should be strictly observed. A regular thermostat, which can be purchased in a store without any problems, will help maintain the set range. It is necessary that this device provides an accuracy of temperature values ​​corresponding to 0.2º C. An error greater than the presented value can be detrimental to developing embryos.

Connect the thermostat to heating elements We think it will not be difficult for a person who decides to make an incubator with his own hands. The main thing is to ensure that the temperature sensors are located near the egg tray. For more accurate readings, the sensors can even be mounted on a tray. As additional means control, you should use a regular thermometer. It is better if it is electronic, capable of displaying tenths of a degree. But in extreme cases, a regular alcohol thermometer will do. It should be secured in the chamber in such a way that it is located immediately above the tray. In this case, its readings can be taken by looking through the viewing glass.

Heat accumulator

JG_ FORUMHOUSE member

To make the temperature drop more slowly, you need to use a heat accumulator. I used water as TA. It provides humidification and also increases the temperature, and when turned off, it releases it for a long time, not allowing the temperature to drop quickly. Only the container with water should be large. You can just put a metal pancake or a dumbbell inside - why not?

It remains to add that without an air humidifier in the incubator, all your efforts are doomed to failure. Therefore, a baking tray or open plate filled with water can be considered one of the essential elements involved in the incubation process. As for the heat accumulator, a heating pad or plastic bottle with water will never be superfluous in the internal space of your incubator.

Humidity can be monitored using a psychrometer, which can be purchased at a hardware store. The optimal humidity in the incubator should be 50–55% (immediately before hatching the chicks, it can be increased to 65–70%).

Incubator ventilation

Many owners homemade incubators They believe that the fan is an integral part of such a device. But practice shows that a small incubator, the number of eggs in which does not exceed 50, can do without forced ventilation. Air convection occurs in it naturally and this is enough to maintain the vital activity of the embryos.

If the chamber of your incubator is designed for a larger number of eggs, or if you want to create an ideal microclimate inside the device at all costs, then for these purposes you can use special fans with a diameter of 80 to 200 mm (depending on the volume of the chamber).

A fan can be mounted into the top cover of the incubator so that it takes air from internal space cameras. Part air flow will go out, and its main volume will be reflected from the lid and pass over the lower inlet holes, mixing warm air with cold and enriching it with oxygen.

That's probably all. You can find out the various opinions of our users regarding the design, as well as get acquainted with their practical developments in this topic. We also have information for those interested in productivity. If you want to create more at home, the design of which contains powerful components and complex ventilation circuits, then you should visit this section.