
If you’re interested in hatching your own chicken eggs, then you’ll need to acquire a broody hen or an egg incubator. A broody hen is a chicken that has the instinct to sit on and incubate eggs, and they can be placed underneath regular chicken laying hens in order to encourage them to lay their eggs in the same nest. However, if you don’t have access to a broody hen, then you’ll need to have an egg incubator. Incubators come in a variety of sizes and styles, so be sure to do your research before making one.
If you’re looking to hatch eggs on a regular basis, an incubator is a great investment. Unlike broody hens, incubators can be used any time of the year, allowing for more consistent hatching results. And if you’re on a budget, don’t worry – you can easily make your own incubator at home.
Name-brand incubators typically cost around $200, but if you’re willing to put in a little DIY work, you can easily build your own for a fraction of the price. Plus, a homemade incubator is a great project for anyone interested in learning more about the egg hatching process. So if you’re up for a challenge, give it a try!

A DIY styrofoam egg incubator is a great way to hatch eggs without spending a lot of money. You can easily build a quality incubator using recycled materials and some simple DIY skills. The total cost of your project should be less than $100.
This incubator will be large enough to comfortably hold about two dozen eggs. You’ll need to find a styrofoam cooler that’s at least 16 inches long, 12 inches wide, and 12 inches tall. The cooler will need a tight-fitting lid, and you’ll need to drill a small hole in the lid for ventilation. Line the cooler with a layer of chicken wire or hardware cloth.
This will keep the eggs from rolling around and breaking. Building your own styrofoam egg incubator is a great way to be more self-sufficient and have more control over the hatching process.
Not only will you save money, but you’ll also be able to customize the incubator to your specific needs. Whether you’re looking to hatch chicken, quail, or another type of egg, a DIY styrofoam egg incubator is a great option.

Now there are lots of DIY styrofoam egg incubator tutorials out there, but quite a number may be too complicated for the average person to follow. If you’re looking for a simple and straightforward guide on how to build your own incubator, this is the tutorial for you. Building your own egg incubator is a great way to hatch your own chickens, ducks, or other poultry eggs.
The tutorial we have linked below is one of the simplest and most effective DIY incubators you can find. It is perfect for those trying to hatch their own poultry eggs for the first time! By following the simple instructions in the tutorial, you will be able to build your own egg incubator that is capable of hatching eggs successfully.
- 360° VISIBILITY: Clear top on incubator makes it great for educational observation.
- 360° INDUCED AIRFLOW: The Nurture Right 360 provides optimal air circulation & temperature stability.
Are you interested in making your own egg incubator?
Click on any image to start the lightbox display. Use your Esc key to close the lightbox.
You’ll need these materials:
- 1 Styrofoam Cooler with Lid
- 1 Light Socket with Cord
- 1 Dimmer Switch (for table lamps)
- 8×11 Glass or Plexiglass
- Thermometer/Hygrometer
- Tape
- Wood Glue
- 40-watt Light Bulb
- Small Plastic Fan
- Small Bowl of Water
And these tools:
- Utility Knife
- Pencil Marker












Thanks to The Empowered Mom for this great project. You can get step-by-step instructions here…