Making an Incubator For baby wildlife
Basics A CONTAINER with the following addi@ons Heat Ven@la@on Windows/Access
A cardboard box Tried and True Container Heat A hea@ng pad under ½ of box Ven@la@on Holes poked in box Windows/Access Opening at top of box
Tried and True Cardboard Box + Readily available + Cheap + Disposable - Cardboard mushes when wet - Can t be cleaned or disinfected - Can be gnawed and torn - Animals can escape - May be top- heavy - Can be awkward to carry - Babies can be trapped under flaps - Not ordinarily a standard size (unless purchased)
Fae s Components Container = Picnic cooler Heat = Hea@ng pad + thermometer Ven@la@on = 2 or 3 PVC grates Windows/Access = lid +7½ clear plates
Tried & Failed (or at least didn t work well for me)
Container þ Picnic cooler look for: 48 or 52 qt = nice size (easy to handle) Removable hinges = more reliable Flat sides make it easier to add windows & vents Flat bo_om (on inside) Check kind of handles - Molded (less desirable) - Pivot - Pivot + slip (Coleman ) can be noisy Check lid support so it doesn t fall back too far - Special hinges (Coleman ) some@mes won t stay open without a weight - Strap
Container, con@nued Picnic cooler Can be expensive for purchase shop around þ People in your organiza@on þ Friends/family/co- workers þ Garage sales/ resale shops/ flea markets þ Some@mes free shipping or ship to store Beware of too cheap! You will be adding expensive & @me- consuming components Don t repair old denim with a new patch!
Heat þ Several types of thermometers are available make sure has large enough range (70º - 100º+ F) þ Sunbeam Model 756-5 hea;ng pad Does NOT shut off automa@cally Large control unit can be mounted conveniently Comes with pad cover not used Installed in bo_om of cooler where it and cord are out of reach of inhabitants Does not cover en@re floor space, leaving area for babies to move away from too much heat
Hea@ng pad is installed in cavity formed in underside of cooler
Ven@la@on Very Necessary to release fumes from wastes to release carbon dioxide to release water vapor (humidity) to release excess heat to admit fresh air (oxygen) PVC pipe drains as vent grates Two are needed for each vent (inside & outside) Available in 2, 3 and 4 sizes Secured with bolt and acorn nut
Ven@la@on, con@nued PVC pipe drains as vent grates, con@nued - This style available at Menards & Home Depot - Very durable - Expensive - Must be cut to fit depth of incubator body wall Knock out test plugs available - Needs small center hole drilled - Can block vent when needed for different species the very young and/or @ny higher temperature and/or humidity moving incubator with inhabitants in place
Windows Disposable plates from Gordon Food Service Very affordable Sturdy & stand up well but can be easily replaced Clear plates 7-1/2 Allow light in Allow interior to be seen from outside Allow outside world to be seen from inside
Windows, con@nued Colored plates 7-1/2 Used for circular frames aler cumng out center Available in red, orange, yellow, green, blue and black for matching or contras@ng with incubator Allow clear plates to nest over them Can be used to completely block window if necessary Not available in white in this size May be permanent OR removable with addi@on of screen clips and bolts
Occasionally, step back & look at your work or have someone else check how you are doing. Two clips are in place.
Finishing Touches Hooks to wind cord Velcro to hold control unit Sealing any gaps with caulk or hot glue 3x5 card holder (or 4x6) Pen holder Outside fan for addi@onal ven@la@on
The Free Direc@ons Are For a Standard Unit but Can Be Adapted 48 or 52 quart cooler 3 removable windows 1 in lid, 2 in front 1 Sunbeam hea@ng pad + thermometer 6 two inch vents 1 1 grommet for cord to exit 2 hooks for cord winder Velcro for holding heat pad control unit
Foster Mom Unit Igloo 100 quart cooler 3 removable windows 3 in front (or 2 in front, 1 in back [for exit at weaning]) 0 in lid as it has small separate lid can be propped open for addi@onal ven@la@on 1 Sunbeam hea@ng pad + thermometer 7 three inch vents, 3 in front, 4 in back 1 1 grommet for cord to exit 2 hooks for cord Velcro for holding control unit
Large incubator with 4 vent installed and fan in posi@on for more ven@la@on.
You Will Need Special Ingredients = Person or Persons in Your Organiza@on Computer literate person to Get free instruc@ons from fmeaston@aol.com Shop for parts Handy and/or craly person(s) willing to make incubator or prepare parts Person(s) with a workshop and tools available Person(s) to raise funds for purchase of parts