How to Make an Incubator

Incubators are very easy to make. Homemade incubators may not look pretty but they work when you are on a budget. Kids, do you need a fun science project? The biggest thing you need when making an incubator is lots of heat and humidity.

The list is endless of all the things you can make an incubator out of. I have seen people make them out of syrofoam coolers, old refrigerators, plywood boxes, aquariums, etc etc. Keep in mind how you will put the light and fan cord in there when picking out a box to use. Ex. If you were using an aquarium you could make a plywood top and drill holes in top for the light and fan cord.

You will need a light. Take an old lamp apart and use the light and cord. You will have to play around with the wattage of light bulb you will use. Whatever watt that will keep a consistant tempature of 99.5 – 100.0 degrees. Go buy a dimmer switch for a couple bucks. This is an easier way to adjust the light to keep the tempature you want.

Now if you are using a box you can tack something too. I would get some hardware cloth (plastic not metal) and tack it to the inside of the box to make a shelf. This way you can put a tray of water underneath and you will have more room for eggs.

Humidity is made from water. So you will need a bowl or a tray with a sponge in it and water. You will have to add water in there atleast 2 or 3 times a day. At 99.5 – 100.0 degrees water won’t last all day.

Place a thermometer in there so it is on top of the eggs. You want the egg temp not the air temp.

You don’t have to put a fan in there but I think you will find it easier to keep the heat and humidity even if you do. Nothing special just a small fan.

If you want to get fancy you can buy an egg turner. If not you will have to turn them by hand. Just mark (with a pencil only!) on the eggs so you know which side is which when you turn them. You will need to turn them a couple times a day.

If you have kids or want to watch yourself. Depending on the box you used of course. Take the glass out of that ugly picture frame Grandma bought you that has been sitting in a box since last Christmas. (Guys ask your wife your mother probably bought her one of these.) Cut a hole a little smaller then the glass and glue the glass to the box. There ya go you have a window.

If you use an old refrigerator it is a little more work. But, you could build trays to slide in and out. You will be able to incubate a ton of eggs for sure.

Just let your creative self out and you will be able to build an incubator.