How to Make a Chick Incubator

Making a chick incubator, or brooder, requires some careful planning and attention to detail. The brooder itself is easy to make, with relatively few supplies needed, however a careful temperature and environment must be maintained.

Things You'll Need

  • Box or draft protector
  • Heat lamp
  • Reflector shield
  • Bedding material such as sawdust or newspaper
  • Chick starter mash
  • Feed container
  • Water container
  • Thermometer
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Instructions

  1. Assembling the Needed Materials

    • 1

      Arrange the box in a draft-free area. Alternatively, you can wrap a draft guard around to create a circular shape to incubate your chicks in. The walls should be at least 4 inches tall.

    • 2

      Hang a heat source over the top of the incubator box. Be sure the heat reflector is in place over the bulb.

    • 3

      Place bedding material down on the floor of the incubator to keep the chicks from getting messy.

    • 4

      Place fresh water in the water container, and arrange the water dish in a corner away from the direct heat of the lamp.

    • 5

      Fill the food container with chick starter feed and place the filled food dish in the brooder box.

    Adjusting the Temperature

    • 6

      Set up the heat lamp so it's only 6 to 8 inches above the cage top. You'll want to suspend it from the ceiling so the chicks cannot burn themselves or knock it over.

    • 7

      The cage temperature will start out about 90 to 95 degrees F, so raise or lower the heat lamp as needed to achieve the desired temperature.

    • 8

      You want the temperature to be between 90 and 95 degrees F through the middle of the box and cooler along the outside edges. Move your thermometer around a few times to check temperature levels throughout the box.

    • 9

      This temperature variance is easier to achieve if the heat lamp is suspended over one side of the cage and not in the exact center of the brood box.

    Introducing Your Chicks to the Incubator Brood Box

    • 10

      When you bring your chicks home, place them in the box right away so they can warm up and eat and drink.

    • 11

      Provide the chicks with plenty of fresh water and food. They should have access to the food and water at all times.

    • 12

      Observe their behavior to adjust the temperature as needed. If they are huddled together under the heat lamp, they are too cold and you need to block drafts or lower the heat lamp a little. If the chicks are scattered to the far edges and look like they are panting, it is too warm for them and you need to raise the lamp a little bit.

    • 13

      Make temperature adjustments slowly to prevent chilling or overheating your chicks. You'll know the temperature is right when you see some eating, some drinking, some sleeping, some scratching about, etc. Your chicks should be doing a variety of activities all over the incubator brood box, not all clumped together and lethargic.