How to Build a Duck Egg Incubator

Place a cardboard box that measures 16 inches by 20 inches by 13 inches inside a box that measures 18 inches by 22 inches by 12 inches. If you are unable to locate boxes that match these measurements, use these as a starting point. Your boxes should not be smaller than recommended, but larger is acceptable.

Draw a line, using a pencil, around the top of the smaller cardboard box. This line should be drawn 1/4 inch below the top edge of your larger box. Use a ruler to ensure the line is straight. Then use a box cutter to cut around the smaller box where you drew the line.

Place the pieces you cut off in Step 2 into the bottom of both boxes to line them. In the event that you need more cardboard to fully line the bottom of both boxes, use a third box and cut it into pieces to fit.

Secure the smaller box into the larger box by using a hot glue gun. Before applying the hot glue, assure that your smaller box is centered inside the larger box with an equal-size gap on all four sides.

Bend the flaps of the larger box over. Bend them down until they touch the smaller box. Use a pencil to mark where the flaps touch the top of the smaller box. Use scissors or your utility knife to cut the flaps at the lines you just drew. Cut the corners of the flaps at a diagonal so that they lay flat and do not overlap. Discard the cut pieces of cardboard.

Fill the gap between the large box and the small box with your choice of insulation. For best results, use wood shavings, Styrofoam or newspaper strips. This will act as insulation for your incubator. Ensure you do not overstuff the spaces. You do not want the boxes to bulge from the insulation.

Cut a piece of 1/4-inch metal mesh screening to make a lid for your box. The piece should be cut to a size that is the 4 inches longer and wider than the top of your large box.

Use wire snips to cut 2-inch squares off the corners of your mesh lid. Discard the cut pieces. Once the corners are cut, bend the 2-inch edges of the wire mesh down on all four sides to create the lid. Use the corners you cut as a guide of where to bend. Once bent, the lid should fit on top of the larger box. If not, adjust your bends as necessary.

Insert a disposable tin into the bottom of the smaller box. Disposable tins can be found in the baking aisle of your local grocery store. The tin should be 9 inches by 13 inches by 1-1/2 inches. If you do not use the recommended size box, you may have to adjust the size of your disposable tin. It should cover approximately half of the box's bottom.

Place a commercial heating element into the box. Follow the directions provided with the element for proper set up.

Use strips of tape to seal down the flaps of the larger box onto the smaller box. This will seal your insulation.

Place your mesh lid that you completed in Step 8 on top of your incubator to complete your incubators instructions. Follow your normal incubation process, just as you would with a commercial incubator. Be sure to transfer your eggs to a hatcher once incubation is completed.