Build Egg Incubator | Homemade Egg Incubator

This page will have plans for how to Build Egg Incubator

First, your homemade incubator needs to have a way to control temperature and humidity.
Second, your egg incubator needs to be in a location that is protected from direct sunlight and drafts.
Third your egg incubator needs to easily accessible for cleaning and egg turning.

Some of the best designs I've seen out on the web utilize some free materials to cut down on costs. Here are how you can obtain the materials to build your own egg incubator.

The Body

The best material for the body of your homemade incubator is a discarded appliance. Microwaves and refrigerators tend to best for this, because they were designed to be airtight, so they aren't so susceptible to drafts or sharp temperature gradients.
If you don't have an old appliance handy, it's a simple matter of heading on down to the junkyard or dump to find one. Make sure you scrub it out with bleach and disinfectant, and then let it air out so there are no residual fumes. You can also check Craigslist for people near you dumping broken appliances.

Heat Source

The heat source can be anything that puts out a continuous, steady heat. A 40W light bulb may suffice for your homemade incubator, as long as you can find a way to focus the heat inside the enclosure and maintain a uniform temperature. A regular light bulb, however, can only control the temperature of the homemade incubator to a certain degree. To this end, I suggest you purchase a special kind of lamp called a heat lamp, preferably one with a dimmer switch, so you can control the temperature. A heat lamp can also be used after your eggs hatch, for brooding chicks or other baby animals. You can buy a heat lamp from Amazon, shown on the sidebar.

Temperature and Humidity

You need at least two thermometers, in different locations in your homemade incubator to keep a constant level heat. A standard wet-bulb barometer can be used as a humidity gauge.

Turning

You need to build in a method to turn the eggs three times daily. This should be done with a minimum of open-air interaction, and you should never touch the eggs yourself.

Flooring
The most convenient type of flooring to use is a wire grill, that can be placed in the incubator a little off the floor of the homemade incubator. An egg won't roll excessively and it provides an easy way to access and clean the incubator.

These are all the components you will need for successful egg incubation. You now know what it takes how to make a egg incubator. See ya next time!

Find more information on Quail Incubators and Chicken Egg Incubators try these websites.

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Classroom Incubators Quail Incubators | Quail Incubator

Quail Incubators

One of the most common uses of a commercial egg incubator is for the hatching and raising of quail eggs. Quail is a species of game bird that is used to describe around fifteen certain members of the pheasant family. Because they are different species of bird, they all require different protocol when attempting to use a quail incubator.

Quail Specifics
Depending on the species of quail, different time periods will be necessary. Bobwhite quail take 23-24 days to hatch, and you should stop turning after 20 days. If you have an incubator that turns the eggs automatically, you will need to set this. If you turn the eggs manually, then just remember to stop turning them. Coturnix quail, including the very popular button quail take 18 days to hatch, and you should stop turning after 14. As a general rule, most quail require humidity levels between 50% and 60%. This should be raised slightly after you stop turning the eggs.

Preparing the Quail Incubator
Bobwhite quail, in particular, are notorious for being susceptible to disease and infection. The incubator should always be thoroughly cleaned and sterilized after use. Also, get the incubator running and functioning fully 24 hours before you expect your eggs to arrive, in order to test for any faulty parts, leaks, cracks, or dirt. When your eggs arrive, ensure that they are also undamaged and fairly clean. A damaged egg can explode in the incubator, exposing the other eggs to contamination risk. If an egg is dirty, carefully wipe it off with a dry cloth. Do NOT use water, as this can be forced through the shell and cause contamination.

These are the basics of using quail incubators and raising quail in an incubator. For more information about incubators, be sure to check out the page on Still Air vs. Forced Air Incubators

If you're looking to buy an egg incubator, my suggestion would be the Hova Bator Thermal Air Flow Incubator. You can't beat Hova-Bator for the good name and product reliability!

Learn how to build your own egg incubator at Homemade Incubators.