Many people know firsthand about the beneficial qualities of meat and quail eggs, today the demand for them is growing daily. Therefore, properly organized rearing of these birds can become quite a profitable business. How to make an incubator for quail with your own hands at home, you will learn from this article.
What is an incubator for?
Unlike other species of birds, the cultivation of quail has some difficulty, which consists in the fact that females hatched in captivity have completely lost the instinct of hatching eggs.Therefore, to increase the number of livestock without attracting outsiders, one cannot do without an incubator. It will allow to get quail without hatching eggs by females. This device will be purchased or made with your own hands, decide for yourself.
Did you know? The shell of quail eggs is very useful, as it makes up for the missing calcium. Its excess is easily excreted from the body.
Basic Incubator Requirements
Today, a huge number of various models of domestic and foreign manufacturers are presented on the market. The main criteria for choosing are the main criteria for the incubator and the number of “seats” that the owner expects. To obtain the desired result, it is important that the device is equipped with a minimum configuration.
This includes:
- tray;
- temperature meter;
- moisturizing method;
- heater.
Important! When making an incubator purchase, it is important to remember that its cost directly depends on the configuration and automated processes. Cheaper options also show good results, only more trouble with them.
Incubator manufacturing process
Today, craftsmen came up with the idea of collecting incubators from various improvised items. Below are the popular ones as well as the tools that will be required in the process. Step-by-step instructions for collecting homemade egg hatching equipment for beginner farmers will come in handy especially.
From a wooden crate
To make such an apparatus, tools and materials are required:
- wooden box;
- plywood sheet;
- Styrofoam;
- metal grid;
- incandescent lamps;
- glass;
- self-tapping screws;
- drill.
- The box is sheathed with plywood, pre-insulated with foam.
- Several holes (1 cm in diameter) are drilled in the bottom to ventilate the incubator.
- A viewing window is cut out in the lid, into which glass is inserted.
- Light sources and heat are mounted in each corner.
- Pull the mesh to the bottom of the tray.
- On the foam boards, fix the tray under the eggs. The design is placed at a certain height from the bottom.
Did you know? A quail egg does not deteriorate if stored at room temperature. This happens due to the fact that lysozyme is present in the composition - a useful amino acid that does not allow harmful microflora to develop.
From the fridge
The case of the used refrigerator is leakproof and good thermal insulation, as this is embedded in its design scheme. In addition, it is roomy.
We need such tools and materials:
- refrigerator;
- wooden blocks of different lengths;
- metal grid;
- foam sheet;
- incandescent lamps;
- wires
- self-tapping screws;
- glass.
- Shelves are removed from the refrigerator and replaced with a prefabricated structure of wooden blocks and metal mesh.
- The walls are additionally insulated with foam.
- For natural air exchange in the ceiling and walls make several holes (1 cm in diameter).
- Ammunition is attached to the ceiling, into which incandescent lamps are then inserted.
Video: do-it-yourself incubator from the refrigerator
Foam box
For the manufacture of an incubator, you need to have at hand tools and materials:
- foam box;
- plywood sheet;
- cans;
- incandescent lamps;
- cooler;
- foil;
- grill;
- wire;
- glass.
The collection process involves the manipulation of:
- Coolers and lampholders are attached to the plywood under the lamps.
- Shielding surfaces are made from cans to help dissipate heat.
- An inspection window is cut out in the lid, which is glazed.
- For additional heat retention, foil is placed inside.
- In the case, drill holes for ventilation.
- Closer to the bottom, a grid with 4 x 3 cm cells is laid and a wire is fixed on it.
- A container with water is installed at the very bottom, which in the future will help maintain the desired level of humidity.
Video: homemade foam incubator
From a plastic bucket
This is ideal for introducing a small number of eggs.
You will need:
- bucket with a lid;
- lamp;
- tray;
- glass;
- drill.
The process of manufacturing a simple incubator from an ordinary plastic bucket with a lid is as follows:
- A small window is cut out in the lid.
- A heat source is attached to the inside of the lid.
- The mesh tray is placed in the middle of the bucket.
- At a height of 8 cm from the bottom, ventilation is equipped.
- A small amount of water is poured into the bottom for a level of humidity.
From plywood and wood frame
To assemble the fixture, prepare:
- wooden blocks;
- plywood;
- Styrofoam;
- glass;
- egg tray.
The manufacturing process is simple and can be done by anyone who has ever held any construction tool in their hands:
- A frame is assembled from the bars, which are then sheathed with plywood.
- Warm with foam from all sides.
- A window is made in the lid.
- Light bulbs are installed on the side walls.
- Below create several ventilation holes.
- A tray is placed on the bars 10 cm high.
From the old pedestal
Old furniture can also serve as an incubator. To create it you will need:
- cabinet;
- egg trays;
- drill;
- fan heater.
The process itself is as follows:
- Holes are drilled on the top cover.
- Trays are fixed at the same distance from each other (their number depends on the height of the cabinet).
- To create a "home" environment using a fan heater, which is installed at the far wall.
- If the door is without a window, it is cut out and glassed.
What are the benefits of a homemade incubator?
Incubator can be purchased and factory. But we must not forget that the devices, assembled independently, also have their own advantages. This includes:
- Simplicity and quick work.
- Low cash costs for materials and equipment.
- The basis can be many items that are not used for their intended purpose.
- Parameters are selected purely individually.
Important! In the presence of a generator operating on liquid fuel, it is possible to manufacture a sufficiently large incubator in the form of a non-volatile design.
How to breed chicks
Breeding quails begins with the selection of high quality eggs that meet certain requirements. Storage before incubation should be no more than 1 week, and at temperatures up to 15 ° C. Despite the individuality of the breeds, on average, chicks hatch on day 18. At first, a higher temperature is set in the incubator, but it is gradually reduced. Trays need to be turned over at least 6 times a day.As can be seen from the foregoing, it is not at all difficult to make an incubator for removing quail. A thoughtful attitude will allow you to quickly navigate and assemble a good device that will allow you to get the first brood in the near future.