How to Hatch Chicks Without an Incubator

In a perfect world, a few hens would live in everyone's back yard, giving all families farm fresh eggs on a daily basis. No matter how small or large the enterprise, the excitement of starting out in raising chickens comes from the miracle of external embryo growth that occurs in egg-laying, or oviparous, animals. When testing the egg-hatching waters, avoid buying a commercial incubator at first by instead hatching eggs in a heated environment constructed with economical, everyday home items.

Things You'll Need

  • Utility knife
  • Styrofoam cooler
  • 8-by-11-inch picture frame glazing
  • Packing tape
  • Pencil
  • Tin snips
  • Welded wire mesh
  • Heating pad
  • Pan
  • Sponge
  • Mini fan
  • Thermometer
  • Hanging or clamp light
  • 15- to 25-watt light bulb
  • Duct tape
  • Cheesecloth
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Instructions

    • 1

      Using a utility knife, cut a 7-by-10-inch window from one side of a clean Styrofoam cooler or ice chest. Remove the glazing from an 8-by-11-inch picture frame. Tape the glazing securely over the hole from the inside of the chest with packing tape to create an incubator window.

    • 2

      Punch pencil-size air holes in the Styrofoam cooler or ice chest. Make three holes on the long sides and one on the short sides near the base of the cooler.

    • 3

      Using tin snips, cut a square piece of welded wire mesh that is equal to the bottom dimensions of the cooler. Make 3-inch, diagonal cuts at each corner of the square piece and fold down the flaps to create a stand.

    • 4

      Place the cooler in a warm location with minimal temperature fluctuations.

    • 5

      Line the bottom of the cooler with a heating pad. Thread the cord out of the cooler opening.

    • 6

      Place a small, shallow pan in the bottom of the cooler on top of the heating pad. Set a warm water-soaked sponge in the pan for humidity. Set the wire mesh stand over the pan.

    • 7

      Place a mini fan on the bottom of the cooler to one side of the mesh stand. Thread the cord out of the cooler opening.

    • 8

      Tape a thermometer to the wall of the cooler that is opposite the window.

    • 9

      Punch a small hole in the center of the lid. Thread the cord of a hanging or clamp light through the hole. Equip the lamp with a 15- to 25-watt bulb. Hang the cord above the cooler so it hangs at a height where the bulb hovers several inches above the mesh stand but not dangerously close to the Styrofoam. Tape around the cord with duct tape to block any gaps.

    • 10

      Close the lid of the cooler. Turn on the lamp and turn the fan and the heat pad to low. Monitor the thermometer and make any adjustments to create a controlled environment of around 100 degrees F.

    • 11

      Set the eggs to be hatched on top of the mesh rack and keep them in the cooler for 21 days. Turn the eggs three times a day for the first 18 days. On the 18th day, place a piece of cheesecloth under the eggs to soak up residue from hatching. Re-soak the sponge regularly throughout the hatching process.