Things You'll Need
- Styrofoam cooler
- 12-inch by 12-inch pane of glass
- Screwdriver
- Dimmer switch
- Light socket with cord
- Small electric fan
- Thermometer
- Contractor's glue
- Small plastic bowl
- Water
- 65-watt bulb
- Contractor's knife
- Tape
Instructions
Place the light socket on the inside of the Styrofoam cooler lid. Cut out a hole a little smaller than the width of the light socket. Wedge the light socket into the hole and secure it with contractor's glue. Screw in the 65-watt bulb.
Place the panel of glass against one side of the cooler and trace its outline with the screwdriver. Cut a hole into the side a little smaller than the traced outline using a contractor's knife. Tightly wedge the glass panel into the space being careful not to break it. Use contractor's glue to secure it in place.
Make roughly 10 holes in the cooler's sides using the screwdriver. The holes will allow for air circulation during incubation of the eggs.
Glue the fan to the inside of the cooler's lid using the contractor's glue. Make a small hole for the fan's cord. Fill in any gaps around the cord with the contractor's glue.
Put the small plastic bowl into one of the incubator's corners. Place roughly 1 inch of water in it. The water allows for a humid environment for the eggs to develop in. If the air is too dry the chicks can die in the eggs. Refill the water when it runs low.
Glue the thermometer to the side of the cooler that faces the glass panel. The temperature should be between 98 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperature is higher, create more holes in the cooler's sides. If the temperature is too cool, use tape to cover some of the existing holes.
Turn on the fan and light a couple of hours before placing the eggs inside.