"How-To" build your own home-made Incubator
Step by step instructions​
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1) Find a Styrofoam box. *I had two smaller ones that I glued together to make it taller.*
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I used bathroom caulk as glue lol works great as a sealant!
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2) Use a old picture frame glass & cut out a viewing hole in the lid. (Optional) I left a 1 inch edge in the hole for the glass to rest on and easily glue together.
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A utility knife works great.
3) Find an old lamp that you can take apart.
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4) Find an older working computer fan for air circulation.
*they are cheap and can be found on Amazon too*
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5) Will need electrical plyers & electrical tape.
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6) Find a tin foil type pie plate.
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7) sturdy wire to use for a 'Cover' for the light.
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8) Punch a small hole in the middle center of one side of the box, to feed the fan wire through. Glue the fan to the inside of the box.
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9) Strip the wire ends so you can wire them together. Make sure they do not touch each other. Refer to photos. Obviously this is a DIY project so please use caution when working with electrical wires!
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10) Find 2 old phone chargers or something similar. Use one to power the fan. The other will be to power the lightbulb.
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11) Twist the wire ends together, then put a cap on. Plug in and test to make sure it works before taping up. Wrap electrical tape around each strand to ensure they are separated from each other. As seen in photos. Then wrap it all together to keep everything tidy.
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12) Repeat this step for the lightbulb outlet on the other side of the box. Make sure its centered, and everything is clear for the lid to go back on snugly.
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13) Punch a hole for the wire to feed through the middle of the pie plate and then through the box. I use the pie plate to reflect the heat off the box.
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14) If you are using glue, generally any kind, there is a wait time between drying during all of this. I have used a few different glues over the years, and have found the bathroom caulking the most effective so far.
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15) Test your light before taping up everything.
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16) Now you should be set for fan and a heat source!
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17)Line Styrofoam box with tin foil, & paper towel (makes for easy clean up)
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18) I used some smaller gauged wire, cut the ends so they're sharp, & shaped it to go around light bulb & also lined with Tin foil. Push sharp side into the Styrofoam on the inside of the box. (This helps keep direct heat & light off the Eggs during incubation; refer to photos)
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19) Get a small dish and some new/clean sponges. I used a new sponge every time I restart a new incubation. The sponge helps with distributing humidity and so chicks don't drown when hatching. I'm sure there are different alternatives to doing this.
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20) Keep water topped up the entire hatch.
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21) Find a Thermostat. Plug light into thermostat. Program it to hold 99-100F. (The better quality, the more efficient!) This controls when to turn the light on & off to regulate temperature. ( I found one on Amazon for around $40)
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22) Punch a whole to thread the thermostat probe through. 2-3" from the floor, so it should rest just above the eggs.
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23) Computer fan should be plugged in separate & running all the time.
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24) Add Hatching Eggs!! Should be clean, fresh, (do not wash!) mark X & O on each side to keep track of manual turning. (Turn 3 times a day) stop turning 2-3 days before Due date. (Chicks need to be still for air sack to develop properly)
25) Wait 21 Days!!! (Keep track on your calendar! ;)
26) Try not to open the incubator while chicks are hatching. They can stay inside for up to 24-48 hours no problem (they live off their yolk sack during this period) Then when they are all fluffy & peeping, remove to a prepared Brooder!
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27) Always clean your incubator between hatches completely. You could use vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, or isopropyl alcohol. Something that is safe animal grade. I have been hatching chicks in this style of incubator for several years now with great success!
Any questions! Ask Google! Lol ;)
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Happy Hatching!!!
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Candling the eggs between 10-14 days
