How to Make an Incubator

Making or knowing how to make an incubator could come in handy if you want to protect eggs that have been abandoned by the mother and need to be kept warm in order to mature and hatch. The store brought incubators can be expensive, but for a few dollars, you could make a homemade incubator to hatch and raise the little ones until they are old enough to take care of themselves.

Things You'll Need

• Fish aquarium (10 to 20 gallon depending on the amount of eggs) Clear plastic (heavier types work best) Duct tape Small lamp to fit the aquarium and hold a 75-watt bulb or smaller Thermometer

Instructions

Building for the Birds

1. Lay the aquarium down on its side so that the opening is facing you.

2. Cut a piece of plastic that will hang over the front of the aquarium and drape over the sides. Use the duct tape to tape the plastic to the top side of the aquarium and allow it to hang over the opening.

3. Place the lamp in the aquarium with the cord running out through the plastic opening. The lamp should be positioned in a corner.

4. Place a thermometer in the aquarium. At this time, you should try different light bulb watts until you find one that will give you the desired heat of between 90 and 100 degrees.

5. Place some straw or grass clippings in the corner opposite the lamp. This will be where the eggs are placed.

Tips & Warnings

• The aquarium does not have to be watertight. Using a smaller aquarium may require using a fish aquarium light if you can get the right temperature with it.

References

• Making an Incubator