Chook Me!

I need info on how to make a chicken egg incubator?

I need help to make a good and efficient egg incubator, how to know if the egg is fertile by how to candle the egg. and What temperature the egg should be at and when it will hatch. And the sound it makes if its ready to hatch

Public Comments

1. Can't help you about making an incubator as I bought one from Murray McMurray. By candling the egg (holding a small but very bright light to the wide end of the egg),(best done in a dark room) you will be able to see the tiny red veins attaching the embryo to the shell. I recall having my incubator at 102 degrees. It takes about 20 - 21 days for a chicken egg to hatch. The eggs must be turned end to end, (not just rolled over as it will wrap the cord around the embryo & kill it) each day. Mark an X on one side of the egg with a pencil to help you know if that particular egg has been turned. The incubator I had, had a channel on the bottom, under the wire mesh holding the eggs, to keep the humidity up. Good luck.
2. Carol gave you some good answers. I disagree about the temp. though, most eggs of any and all kinds want to be incubated at 99-99.5 Chicken eggs can tolerate a bit more temp, but it could effect when they hatch meaning a degree or so higher and they will hatch early, and a degree or two too low and they will hatch late. Both will cause a less than optimal hatch. For making a home-made incubator and all other chicken answers, try the user forum at backyardchickens.com. There you will find everything you want to know about chickens and a whole lot more you never thought of. Personally I believe it's best to purchase even the cheapest styrofoam incubator from a poultry supply as making your own usualy has less than satisfactory results.