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Basic Equipment
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You will need a source of warmth and a source of containment. An egg would require steady heat, while a small animal may have other needs . The method of containment depends upon the size and strength of the animal needing warmth. Another consideration would be how often the incubator will be needed. A strong, reusable containment system should be considered for repeated The most economical incubator would consist of a cardboard box, a single light bulb, and a cloth cover.
Strategy for Hatching Eggs
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When hatching eggs, place them in a box with a light bulb supported from the top. This will enable hatchlings to wander around the container to vary the heat to which they will be exposed while unhatched eggs remain in constant warmth. Cover the entire container with a thin cloth to hold heat in and to contain any hatchlings. Check with your local extension office or county agent to determine the optimum temperature for the eggs you are hatching. By varying the height of the bulb from the animals or eggs, you can vary how much heat to which they are exposed.
Strategy for Baby Animals
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For young animals, a sturdy container must be employed to contain the vigorous play of maturing babies. Puppies, rabbits, and other infant animals are not going to move very much within the first week of life. As they mature, they may need some artificial warmth for another week or so, and the containment needs will increase substantially. The strategy should be to use a stronger container with higher sides and a stronger cover. Other elements (light bulb, cloth cover), should be identical.
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Information on Making a Homemade Incubator
The purposes for building a homemade incubator may include a variety of reasons. I once used a homemade incubator to save a bird that had fallen from a nest. Whatever the reason, the construction methods can vary from simple to quite complicated. The objective should be to provide warmth and containment for the animal because of the absence of natural motherly protection.