How to Make a Homemade Oil Egg Incubator

Manufactured incubators can be expensive, but if you're thinking of breeding chickens or other birds, you can make your own incubator with very few materials. While it is possible to build an incubator that runs on electricity, oil lamps are just as useful at providing heat for the unhatched eggs. The incubator is simple to set up, but you will need to pay close attention to the temperature and humidity levels during the incubation period to ensure that the temperature doesn't become too high.

Things You'll Need

  • Large glass box (for example, an aquarium) or a metal container
  • Oil lamp
  • Thermometer
  • Wet bulb thermometer to measure humidity
  • Sponge
  • Dish of water
  • Aluminum foil
  • Cloth or newspaper
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Instructions

    • 1

      Line the sides of the glass box with foil, leaving some to make a lid. This will help the heat reflect evenly around the box and prevent the eggs closest to the heater from becoming warmer than those further away. If you are using a metal container you don't need to do this, but be careful the sides don't become too hot and raise the overall temperature of the incubator.

    • 2

      Place the cloth or newspaper on the bottom of the tank. This will help cushion the eggs from the hard surface and help prevent any bumps or jolts that could be damaging to the chicks when you are turning them. However, make sure it doesn't come into contact with the heated parts of the lamp.

    • 3

      Place the oil lamp in one side of the box and the eggs and thermometers in the other side of the box. Position the thermometer bulbs at the same level as the top of the eggs. Put the sponge in the water dish and place it next to the eggs. This will help regulate the humidity in the incubator.

    • 4

      Make a small hole in the foil lid of the tank. You can do this with a pair of scissors or your finger. The hole allows the warm air to escape and cooler air to come in. Make another hole above the place the oil lamp will be seated to let the gases escape.

    • 5

      Light the oil lamp and place the eggs into the box. Replace the lid and put the box in a well-ventilated area. Check the eggs regularly to ensure that the temperature and humidity stay within a suitable range, and replenish the water dish when needed.