If you want to incubate wild bird eggs but can't afford an incubator, you can make your own using equipment you have at home. Once the incubator is ready for use, you can incubate the eggs until they hatch. However, first study the laws governing the breeding of wild birds. In some areas, it is illegal to take bird eggs or disturb their nests. This law applies in North America, UK, Japan and Russia.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Making an Incubator
Step 1. Line a medium-sized shoebox with cloth
Place a small soft cloth on the bottom of the shoebox. Roll up two pieces of fabric and place them in a shoebox. Make a circle or ring in the center of the square with fabric. How wide the diameter of the cloth will depend on the number and size of eggs to be incubated.
Step 2. Insulate the nest with feathers
Purchase a sack of feathers at the nearest craft store. Use the bristles to line the center of the placed fabric. The feathers can retain heat so the eggs will stay warm.
Step 3. Place 2-4 stuffed animals
The number of dolls placed depends on the size and width of the shoebox used. Arrange the dolls around the roll of cloth to keep the eggs warm. Make sure the doll is big enough to stick to the side of the shoebox and push the roll of fabric and feathers close to the egg.
Step 4. Place a small bowl of water to keep the incubator moist
Place the bowl in the corner of the shoebox so it doesn't spill. Refill the bowl daily or when the water starts to run low. Check the state of the water in the bowl twice a day.
Step 5. Use a small heating lamp
Purchase an affordable heating lamp at a thrift store. If you want to use a high-quality heating lamp, buy it at the nearest pet store. Buy a lamp with an adjustable neck to keep the incubator temperature ideal.
Make sure the heating lamp does not touch flammable objects to prevent a fire
Step 6. Purchase a digital thermometer and humidity meter
Both of these tools can show the temperature of the incubator quite accurately. You need an accurate thermometer to incubate eggs. Purchase this tool at the nearest hardware store. Most stores sell thermometers that can also measure humidity.
Step 7. Warm the box
Position the heating lamp so that it illuminates the box. Place the thermometer and humidity meter near where the eggs will be incubated. Make sure the incubator is 37 °C and has a humidity level of 55-70%.
Part 2 of 2: Incubating Eggs
Step 1. Know the species of eggs to be incubated
This can help you determine the ideal incubator temperature and humidity. Take the eggs to the nearest pet store to find out the species. You can also visit the website below:
- The Audubon Society's Guide to North American Birds (United States, Canada, and Mexico).
- The Woodland Trust (UK)
- The Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Damn
Step 2. Place the eggs into the incubator
Place the egg in the center of the prepared cloth roll. Place the eggs side by side. Make sure the eggs are not piled up. This can damage the eggs when turned.
Step 3. Place the shoebox in indirect sunlight
Sunlight can warm the eggs without reducing the humidity. Place the box in indirect sunlight to prevent the temperature from getting too high. You can place the box in a window facing west in the morning, or facing east in the afternoon. If the weather is warm enough, take the box outdoors and place it in a shady place out of the reach of predators.
Depending on the species, the eggs may hatch sooner if they are exposed to the sun long enough during the day
Step 4. Monitor the temperature of the incubator
Turn off the heating lamp when the incubator temperature is above 38 °C. Make sure the heating lamp remains off until the incubator temperature returns to ideal. If the incubator temperature continues to rise, reset the heating lamp position.]
Step 5. Monitor the humidity level of the incubator
The humidity level of the incubator depends on the egg species. Add more water to increase the humidity of the incubator. If the incubator has humidity above 70%, reduce the water content.
Step 6. Turn the eggs several times each day
Don't twist the egg, you just turn it over. You can buy an egg turning machine at your nearest pet store. However, if you are always near the incubator, you can do this yourself. How often the eggs should be turned depends on the species. Generally, eggs should be turned twice every hour.
Step 7. Close the shoebox when the heating light is off
Most bird species can live at 16 °C. Therefore, the eggs will not be disturbed when the heating lamp is turned off. A closed shoe box can keep the heat at night. Remember, re-open the shoebox and turn on the heating lamp in the morning. Just in case, use an alarm.
Step 8. Remember, there is a chance that the eggs will not hatch
Unfortunately, the chances of wild bird eggs hatching in the incubator are quite low. Mother bird's natural incubation is a complex process that is difficult to replicate. Eggs that are cracked or have been away from the nest for a long time have little chance of survival.
Tips
- This article contains a guide to incubating wild bird eggs. If you want to incubate chicken eggs, check out the wikiHow Make a Simple Home Incubator for Chicks
- You can buy a thermostat at your nearest pet store or online. After installed. set the incubator temperature. The temperature control device will turn the lights on or off to maintain the ideal incubator temperature.
Warning
- Remember, the bird's life is at stake. Do not make incubators carelessly. Make an efficient incubator.
- Always wash your hands after touching eggs.
- If you live in a country that was once part of the Soviet Union, you must comply with the laws governing the breeding of wild birds.
