Kyochan
Songster
- Aug 5, 2013
- 209
- 10
- 114
Okay, first off. Hello everyone! I have owned chickens for a few years now but have only recently gotten really into them besides regarding them as the 'rats-with-wings-that-get-into-the-garbage' lol. I've learned so much from this site and have gotten sucked right into the chicken love! The next logical step is hatching eggs!
Now, I saw several styrofoam incubators and since I had a styro cooler on hand I decided to try and make one. Here is what I have so far.

Two cut out windows with glass for viewing. Made from old picture frames. Front viewing glass is covered with a simple folded 'drape' made of electrical tape and paper towels.

View from the top down into the incubator.

View with top off. The dividers are made from the frames from the pictures, chicken wire, and electrical tape.

Simple lamp I had laying around. Cut a hole in the bottom and put it through. Will cover the excess space left by the hole to help trap in heat.

don't mind the egg. It's not fertile. I'm just a visual learner so wanted to see an egg in it. There is a small pan with water under the eggs. The only place I had left to put a tray.
My current concerns/to-do-list:
*Fill in hole around lamp.
*Is the water tray to big? Do I need a sponge?
*I need to get something to track the temp and humidity. Any suggestions on a specific type/brand you guys have used?
*My mother is very concerned about a fire due to the lamp being in a styrofoam container. Is she right to be worried?
*The lamp is pretty small. To help boost the temp. up would it be good to add aluminum on the inside walls of the container?
*Also about aluminum, would you suggest covering the frame separating the eggs from the lamp with it? I've heard it will help keep the eggs from being directly exposed to the heat and help all the eggs warm evenly.
Thanks in advanced and I will keep you all posted on my progress from build to hatch!
Now, I saw several styrofoam incubators and since I had a styro cooler on hand I decided to try and make one. Here is what I have so far.
Two cut out windows with glass for viewing. Made from old picture frames. Front viewing glass is covered with a simple folded 'drape' made of electrical tape and paper towels.
View from the top down into the incubator.
View with top off. The dividers are made from the frames from the pictures, chicken wire, and electrical tape.
Simple lamp I had laying around. Cut a hole in the bottom and put it through. Will cover the excess space left by the hole to help trap in heat.
don't mind the egg. It's not fertile. I'm just a visual learner so wanted to see an egg in it. There is a small pan with water under the eggs. The only place I had left to put a tray.
My current concerns/to-do-list:
*Fill in hole around lamp.
*Is the water tray to big? Do I need a sponge?
*I need to get something to track the temp and humidity. Any suggestions on a specific type/brand you guys have used?
*My mother is very concerned about a fire due to the lamp being in a styrofoam container. Is she right to be worried?
*The lamp is pretty small. To help boost the temp. up would it be good to add aluminum on the inside walls of the container?
*Also about aluminum, would you suggest covering the frame separating the eggs from the lamp with it? I've heard it will help keep the eggs from being directly exposed to the heat and help all the eggs warm evenly.
Thanks in advanced and I will keep you all posted on my progress from build to hatch!