Homemade Duck Incubator

A homemade incubator does not need to be elaborately constructed like a commercial incubator. An incubator made from cardboard boxes and a few appliances can be just as efficient. Nevertheless, do not expect 100 percent success at hatching eggs at home. Commercial incubators with advanced settings and peripherals usually do not average more than an 80 percent hatching rate, according to studies made by the University of Illinois.

Things You'll Need

  • Two different size cardboard boxes
  • Four 25-watt incandescent light bulbs
  • Four porcelain head sockets
  • Heavy duty wire mesh
  • Newspaper strips
  • Duct tape
  • Power strip
  • Thermometer
  • Sponge
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place the smaller box into the bigger box. Secure the smaller box by gluing or stapling it onto the center of the bigger box. There should be a half-inch of space between the two boxes.

    • 2

      Insert pieces of newspaper in the space between the two boxes. Wood shavings or Styrofoam are good substitutes if you have no newspaper.

    • 3

      Cut a hole---large enough to accommodate the base of a porcelain head socket---in each of the four corners of the incubator (cut through both boxes). Poke the base of a porcelain head socket into each of the holes, with the back end of the socket outside the incubator. Attach each socket to the incubator with heavy duty wire meshing. Insert an incandescent 25-watt light bulb into each of the head sockets. Bend the mesh to cradle each light bulb and secure the fixture to the incubator. Each porcelain head socket will have a cord to connect to a power strip. Use duct tape to attach a thermometer to the inside wall of the incubator. The temperature should remain at constant 102 degrees Fahrenheit for duck eggs.

    • 4

      Place a damp paper towel or sponge into the incubator to maintain humidity levels.

    • 5

      Drill half-inch ventilation holes into the four corners of your incubator, and two extra holes on each side. The ventilation provides airflow and helps even out the temperature and humidity levels.