surrogator

[Oakthebirddog]

Check  out the guys at crazyflyingwfarms.com they have experience with building a surrogator.

[gmills7177]

I am also going to build a surrogator only I am hoping to raise pheasants. I was hoping someone had a suggestion on dimensions in relation to the number of birds and the temp for each week.

[bbahpc]

I purchased most of the necessary items to build a surrogator.  As far as the heater, the actual heater, thermostat and the such is a unit out of a trojan livestock tank heater.  If you were to buy directly from the manufacturers of Surrogators, they would cost over $700, I believe.  The web site for the Trojan heaters is  www.trojanlivestock.com .  You will need to call them directly and just order the heating unit which comes complete with heater, thermostat and you will need to buy a hose to connect to propane tank and a regulator.  I believe that the heating unit cost around $215.  These heaters have a pilot thus not requiring any electrical supply for lighting the heater. 
As far as the material for the sides, top and bottom, I selected the 1/4" white poly board from our local ag supply store.  My family has several of the surrogators that we have been using for a couple years and are very happy with the results however, I am getting tired of paying them $2500 or so for something that I can build for $500.  I did get on the surrogator site and bought the porcelin cap that goes on top of the heater and their nipple waterer for about $60 total plus shipping.

[CharlieHorse]

 

That appears to be nothing more than a hot water heater gas control valve with a remote capillary tube rather than the probe that normally would screw back into the hot water tank to sense the water temperature.  I wonder if a fella could use a regular hot water tank gas control valve?

 The open flame pilot light could cause some issues.

[camsdad]

I purchased most of the necessary items to build a surrogator.  As far as the heater, the actual heater, thermostat and the such is a unit out of a trojan livestock tank heater.  If you were to buy directly from the manufacturers of Surrogators, they would cost over $700, I believe.  The web site for the Trojan heaters is  www.trojanlivestock.com .  You will need to call them directly and just order the heating unit which comes complete with heater, thermostat and you will need to buy a hose to connect to propane tank and a regulator.  I believe that the heating unit cost around $215.  These heaters have a pilot thus not requiring any electrical supply for lighting the heater. 
As far as the material for the sides, top and bottom, I selected the 1/4" white poly board from our local ag supply store.  My family has several of the surrogators that we have been using for a couple years and are very happy with the results however, I am getting tired of paying them $2500 or so for something that I can build for $500.  I did get on the surrogator site and bought the porcelin cap that goes on top of the heater and their nipple waterer for about $60 total plus shipping.

Just wondering if you have put together a set of plans yet?
I'm looking to build a surrogator myself.
Thanks

[jchotz]

Come follow along as I learn how to use my surrogator to raise wild quail - http://www.raisingwildquail.com.  I'm happy to share what I'm learning.

[slider]

Thats a great thread...thanks for sharing it with us...

[Slayton]

Jchotz,

What type of heater do you have on that? And do you have a link to where you got it? I am looking for something that is gas driven that I can use on a 200  or so   raised quail brooder.  Any help is appreciateed. New to this so trying to figure it out on my own..


Slayton

[jchotz]

Slayton,

I have the heater that came with the WMT unit.  It's a propane unit - this is their store - http://wildlifemanagementtechnologies.com/Store/Category/9:Heaters.

Based on everything I see and read a "how to" video might be helpful.  I'm in the process of recording everything this season on video and I'm going to stitch it together this winter.

I have a brief, three question survey that will help me make sure that I cover everything that folks want to know - http://raisingwildquail.com/surrogator-survey/

If you'll take the time to tell me what you want to learn more about, I'll make sure to send you a free copy when I complete it this Winter.

Thanks!

- Jeff

[Pheasant Hollow Farm]

Nothing like being a day late and a dollar short..... It has been just about a year that Slayton had ask the question;

Jchotz,

What type of heater do you have on that? And do you have a link to where you got it? I am looking for something that is gas driven that I can use on a 200  or so   raised quail brooder.  Any help is appreciateed. New to this so trying to figure it out on my own..


Slayton

and your reply 8.31.2011:

Slayton,

I have the heater that came with the WMT unit.  It's a propane unit - this is their store - http://wildlifemanagementtechnologies.com/Store/Category/9:Heaters.

Based on everything I see and read a "how to" video might be helpful.  I'm in the process of recording everything this season on video and I'm going to stitch it together this winter.

I have a brief, three question survey that will help me make sure that I cover everything that folks want to know - http://raisingwildquail.com/surrogator-survey/

If you'll take the time to tell me what you want to learn more about, I'll make sure to send you a free copy when I complete it this Winter.

Thanks!

- Jeff

Slayton is from Christoval Texas and you, are from Austin, TX
You'd be better off getting together then waiting almost a year to send a reply to the post.

 

[JesseWynne]

I built 2. One with the paropane heater mentioned above. I went to a plumbing outfit and took the guts out of an propane water heater. Remove the burner and place the Mr. Heater on top. I used the pilot and thermocouple  to contol the burner. I used a GQF thermometer to set my temperature by. The cost of propane made me go to plan B.

Deep cycle battery.
15 amp Solar panel from Norther tools.
Thermostat from GQF.
200 watt inverter.
2 x100 watt lamps. or GQF 200 watt heating element.
PVC and nipple waterers.
55 gallon drom with facet to supply water.
55 gallon drum with 3 inch feeder tube to supply feed.
The deep cycle and one solar panel works well in TX. You may need 2 panels in colder weather.

Nice informative post. I have been searching for similar sort of system and finally got the detailed stuff..