How to Build an Incubator for Poultry

Poultry only hatch under specific environmental conditions.

Hatching poultry eggs is a sensitive procedure, but once you get the hang of it, it's a simple and exciting task. The most important feature of any incubator is consistency of environment. Fluctuations in temperature, humidity and airflow can put undue stress on developing embryos. There are many designs for do-it-yourself incubators, one of which is a simple and effective design that uses a typical Styrofoam cooler.

Things You'll Need

• Large Styrofoam cooler
• Screwdriver
• Utility knife
• 5 x 7 picture frame glass
• Hot glue gun
• Glue sticks
• Heating pad
• Oven rack or cooling rack
• Egg cartons
• Clean kitchen sponge
• Thermometer
• Barometer
• Small battery-operated fan

Instructions

1. Use the screwdriver to poke approximately five holes in each side of the cooler.

2. On one side of the cooler, use the utility knife to cut a hole 1/2-inch smaller than the picture frame glass. Then cut a notch 1/2 inch around the hole that goes only halfway through the Styrofoam.

3. Glue the picture frame glass onto the notch.

4. Cut a small notch on one corner where the lid meets the cooler to fit the heating pad cord through.

5. Place the heating pad inside and set the oven rack or cooling rack on top.

6. Place the egg cartons on top of the rack.

7. Place the fan inside and lean it up against a corner.

8. Saturate the sponge and put it on the bottom surface of the cooler. If there is no free space, place it on top of the heating pad, but make sure it is away from all electrical components.

9. Place the thermometer and barometer on top of the egg cartons.

10. Turn on the heating pad and fan, and close the lid. After an hour, check the temperature and humidity. The temperature should be 99.5 degrees, and the humidity at 50 percent.

11. If the temperature is too low, plug up some of the holes with the hot glue gun. If the temperature is too high, poke more holes.

12. If the humidity is too high, set the sponge up on its side or cut a smaller one. If the humidity is too low, add another sponge.

13. Continue adjusting until the temperature and humidity are consistent for two hours.

14. Move the thermometer and barometer to lean them against the side of the incubator. You should be able to read them through the glass window.

15. Place fertile eggs pointy-side down inside the incubator.

16. Place the incubator in an area away from direct sunlight, drafts or any other environmental fluctuation.

17. Re-saturate the sponge one to two times a day.

18. Increase the humidity to between 70 and 80 percent after 18 days.

Tips & Warnings

• Before starting this project, make sure the eggs are fertile by "candling." Cut a hole just smaller than an egg on the bottom of a tin can. Place each egg on the upturned can with a candle underneath. Look for the long, thin sperm that indicates fertilization.

References

• Cyber Quail: Guerilla Incubator
• University of Southern California: Incubation of Eggs
• Backyard Chickens: How to Hatch Eggs