How to Build a Chicken Egg Incubator

Chicken-egg incubators allow you to maintain control of a chicken breeding program and to exchange less productive hens for hens that are better layers. However, many quality incubators are expensive, running $150 and up. To reduce expenses, you might consider building your own incubator.

Things You'll Need

  • 12-quart styrofoam cooler
  • Light socket with cord
  • Lightbulb
  • Pen or pencil
  • Glass from 6- by 9-inch or 8- by 10-inch picture frame
  • Ruler
  • Utility knife
  • Carpenter's glue
  • Screwdriver
  • 15- to 25-watt bulb
  • Small bowl
  • Small fan (optional)
  • Thermometer
  • Duct tape (optional)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Attach the light socket to the lid of the cooler. Start by placing the light socket on the middle of the lid and tracing a circle around the socket end. Cut out the circle with a sharp utility knife. Place the light socket in the hole, making sure the switch is on the outside of the container. Glue in place, using carpenter's glue or a similar kind of heavy-duty adhesive. Screw in the lightbulb.

    • 2

      Install glass in one wall of the cooler to make a viewing pane for your incubator. You can do this cheaply and easily by repurposing a piece of 6- by 9-inch or 8- by 10-inch glass from a picture frame. Measure the glass and mark a rectangle on the cooler wall that is 1/2 inch shorter than the glass on each side. Use the utility knife to cut a hole in the wall of the cooler. Secure the glass with carpenter's glue, overlapping the cooler 1/2 inch on each side.

    • 3

      Poke a series of holes in another wall of the cooler for ventilation, using a screwdriver. Place a small fan in the cooler as well, if there is room. It will help you to maintain the proper temperature within the incubator. The fan circulates the warm air created by the lightbulb.

    • 4

      Place a small bowl of water inside the incubator to help control humidity. Prop a thermometer against the inside of the cooler as well, in a place where it will be visible. Make sure the base of the thermometer is at the same height as the eggs. If the thermometer is placed too high, it won't read the temperature of the eggs properly.

    • 5

      Turn on the bulb and the fan and let them run for a few hours before placing the eggs in the incubator. Check on the temperature periodically. The ideal temperature for a still-air incubator like this one is 101.5 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperature inside the incubator is too high, pierce a few more holes in the walls of the incubator to let out excess heat. If the temperature is too low, place pieces of tape over some of the ventilation holes.