Things You'll Need
- 12-inch square of hardware cloth (comes with the incubator)
- Electrical source
- 3 thermometers (one comes with the incubator)
- Clean sponge
- Dish soap
- Fertilized eggs
- Pencil
- Calendar
Instructions
Prepare the Incubator
Wash out the base of the incubator using a mild dish soap and sponge; do not scrub. Set the base outside in the sun to dry for several hours.
Assemble the incubator by putting the hardware cloth square in the base, put the thermometers on the hardware cloth, and place the Styrofoam top on the base. Plug in the incubator.
Adjust the temperature in the incubator until it is correct for the eggs. Different species of birds have differing appropriate incubation temperatures.
Add a 1/4 to 1/2 cup of water to the reservoir in the base of the incubator. The empty incubator needs to be monitored for at least 24 hours to ensure the thermostat is consistently heating. If the thermometers are not in sync, an additional thermometer needs to be added to ensure the accurate temperature is being obtained.
Prepare the Eggs
Write an "X'' on one side of each egg and an "O" on the other side. Place the eggs in the heated incubator with the X sides up. The eggs should not be touching.
Mark on the calendar "Day 1." Count ahead and mark the day to stop turning the eggs, the day the eggs should begin to hatch, and the day to dispose of unhatched eggs. Different species have differing incubation lengths. Refer to species specific literature.
Turn the eggs several times a day. Use the Xs and Os to help track which eggs have been turned.
Allow the eggs to hatch unassisted. Keep the incubator closed until the hatch is complete and the chicks are dry and active.