You can make a wild bird egg from household items if you don't have the money for a professional incubator.You'll be ready to prepare the eggs for hatching once you have assembled the incubator.Be cautious, though!It is illegal to disturb a nest without a permit from your government.North America, the United Kingdom, Japan, and Russia are affected by this law.
Step 1: There is a medium sized box with cloths.
The cloth should be on the bottom of the box.Roll up two rags and place them in a box to make a circle or ring.The ring's width depends on how many eggs you have and how large they are.
Step 2: The nest should be insulated with feathers.
You can buy a bag of feathers at the craft store.The feathers can be used to line the cloth ring.Eggs will stay warm if feathers store heat well.
Step 3: There are two to four small stuffed animals.
The number is determined by the size of the stuffed animals and the amount of room in the box.To keep the egg warm, place them around the circle's circumference.Make sure the stuffed animals are big enough to push the rags and feathers close to the eggs.
Step 4: A small cup of water is needed for the humidity.
It should be placed in the corner of the box to prevent spills.As the water level goes down, refill it daily.The water should be checked at least twice a day.
Step 5: You can find a small lamp.
You can find one at charity shops or garage sales.You can find a high-quality lamp at your local pet supply store.If you want to achieve the ideal temperature, buy a lamp with an adjusted neck.The heat lamp could cause a fire if it touches the flammable materials in the nest box.
Step 6: You can buy a humidity gauge.
It is easier to track temperatures to the tenth of a degree with digital readouts.You will need this kind of precision when hatching eggs.These instruments can be found in any big box store.There are single devices that measure both temperature and humidity.
Step 7: The box needs to be hot.
The light should shine into the box if the lamp is positioned correctly.You'll place the eggs in a location with a humidity gauge and a temperature.Aim for a temperature of 98.6 F and a humidity level between 55 and 70 percent.
Step 8: Determine the species of your eggs
You can use this to recreate the ideal temperature and humidity level.Eggs can be taken to your local extension office for identification.The Audubon Society's Guide to North American Birds is one of the online resources.
Step 9: The eggs are in the incubator.
Put them in the ring.They should be placed side by side.Don't put them on each other.During rotation, you could break them.
Step 10: The box should be in the shade.
Sunlight provides more warmth.It's a good idea to keep the box out of the sun.You could put the box in a window in the morning or afternoon.If the weather is warm, put the box outside in a shaded area during the day.Longer periods of daylight can make your eggs hatch sooner.
Step 11: The temperature needs to be monitored.
If the temperature goes above 101 F, the heat lamp should be turned off.Keep it off until the temperature drops.If the heat gets too high on a regular basis, try changing the lamp.
Step 12: The humidity level is important.
The level depends on the species.The humidity can be raised by adding more water.Reduce the amount of water you have in the incubator if you keep getting readings over 70 percent.
Step 13: Take the eggs out of rotation a lot.
Turn them, don't spin them.At your local farm supply store, you could buy a mechanical egg rotator.If you're around the incubator a lot, you can handle the eggs by hand.The average rate of rotation is about two per hour.
Step 14: The box lid needs to be replaced when you switch off the lamp.
If you switch off the lamp when you go to sleep, it shouldn't hurt the eggs because most species can handle cool temperatures.The heat will be locked in when the lid is replaced.Remove the lid and turn the heat lamp on in the morning.It is a good idea to remind yourself to be on the safe side.
Step 15: There is a chance that the eggs will not hatch.
The chances of successfully hatching wild bird eggs are low.Natural Incubation by the parent birds is very difficult to recreate.Eggs that have been outside the nest for a long time are not likely to be viable.