Easy to Build Chicken Incubators

It's fascinating and rewarding to watch eggs become chickens. Hens are nature's incubators but they're hard to control and their hatch rate is unpredictable. That's why artificial incubation is ideal. It keeps hens producing and gives breeders control over the hatching process. Incubators regulate temperature, humidity and egg rotation to maximize hatching success. Here are some ways you can build your own.

  1. Styrofoam Cooler Incubator

    • Styrofoam coolers are good insulators and they're easy to convert into an incubator. Besides the cooler, you'll need a wired light socket with a dimmer switch, the glass from a picture frame, a small fan, a 25 watt bulb and a thermometer. Cut a hole in the center of your cooler lid so that the bulb and socket will fit snugly. A second hole on the side of the cooler can accommodate your glass for a side view window. Your fan should be placed inside the cooler with its cord passed to the outside through a hole in one end. After punching ventilation holes near the top of the sides, add an empty egg carton, a small bowl of water and a thermometer to finish the job.

    Guerrilla Wood Incubator

    • If you have scrap plywood available, here's how to put it to good use. You'll need a 13x13 inch and five 12x12 inch pieces of plywood that are 3/4 inch thick, one 5x6 inch piece of plywood that is 1/4 inch thick, an 8 foot long of 1/2x1/2 inch piece of lumber, a 3 inch long of 1/2x1 inch piece of plywood, four brass hinges, a wired light socket with a dimmer switch, aluminum foil and nylon mesh.

      Your assembled incubator will be lined with aluminum foil and have vent holes near the upper and lower edges of the sides. A bottom hinged front panel that opens down and a two-piece top that's hinged in the middle, will complete the enclosure. Your light socket is attached to the back of the bottom left corner and a foil covered shelf is directly above it. A wood frame with mesh stretched across it rests 3 inches below the top on rails attached to the sides. For easy access from outside, your dimmer switch is attached to the back panel of your two-piece top. Put a bowl of water in the bottom and an empty egg carton on the mesh shelf and you're ready to go.

    Electric Skillet Incubator

    • There's no easier way to incubate eggs than in a covered electric skillet with an adjustable heating element. Get one with a glass lid so you can keep an eye on the eggs and the temperature without letting in outside air. After lining your skillet with a damp washcloth and adding an empty egg carton and thermometer, you're ready for eggs. Just make sure to leave the lid slightly ajar for ventilation.