How to Build an Incubator

People who raise chickens, pet birds or other types of fowl sometimes want to hatch eggs in an incubator. Hatching eggs requires consistent temperature and humidity levels; a convection-type incubator with sufficient airflow, a thermometer and a hygrometer helps achieve this. It is easy to inexpensively assemble mainly from household items.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Large sturdy box with tight-fitting lid
• Heavy-duty aluminum foil
• Aluminum pie tin
• 2 pieces of wood 1 inch by 2 inches
• half-inch screen
• 4 ceramic light sockets
• four 25-watt bulbs
• thermometer
• hygrometer
• electronic thermostat switch
• drill or knife
• wiring kit

1. Line the box with the aluminum foil. Place the pie tin on the bottom.

2. Place a piece of wood on each side of the pie tin. Place the wire screen over the wood so it does not touch the pie tin. You will place the eggs on this screen. The screen will keep the hatchlings from falling into the water.

3. Cut ventilation holes, about a half-inch in diameter, in each of the four corners of the cover. Put two quarter-inch holes in each side right above where the eggs will be. Drill additional holes for the thermostat, thermometer and hygrometer probes.

4. Install the four ceramic light sockets in each upper corner, along the sides of the box. Make a hole and push the light socket inner component through the hole. Place the ceramic insulator over the inner component and screw them together. Screw the ceramic housing to the inside of the box. Insert the light bulbs.

5. Wire the thermostat to the light sockets according to the directions provided with the thermostat. Directions will vary somewhat depending on the brand of thermostat you choose. Insert the thermostat's probe into one of the holes. Program the thermostat to the desired temperature.

6. Place the thermometer so that the probe protrudes into the incubator through one of the ventilation holes. Place the hygrometer into one of the other holes.

7. Fill the pie tin with water, place fertile eggs on the screen, close the incubator and plug in the lights.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a basic thermostat from a home improvement store or one intended for reptile terrariums from a pet store. Helix and ReptiTemp are two common brands. Mount the light sockets in the sides of the box, not the top, so you will not disturb the light when removing the lid. Use either a mechanical or an electronic thermometer and hygrometer. You can buy a hygrometer anywhere you can buy a room thermometer.
• Do not exceed 25 watts for each light bulb; the heat will be too high. Make sure there is always water in the pie tin during incubation.

References

• How to Hatch Baby Chicks
• Hatching reptile eggs