1. Know what it takes to have an effective egg incubator
See our other pages for information regarding temperature, humidity, air circulation, rotating the eggs, and sanitation. This will help you know what the incubator needs to do in order to have a successful hatch.
2. Determine your specific design
The most common sized desktop egg incubators will hold between 30-50 chicken eggs. Based on the size of the container you choose and how you will rotate your eggs, your incubator may hold more or less than that.
There are many designs to choose from. You can go as simple as adding an IncuKit DC to a cardboard box and manually turn your eggs, or as sophisticated as a self formed insulated container with a perfectly automated egg turner and auto humidity control. These are two extremes and most people settle with something in the middle. A couple of the most common methods are:
a.) Use a foam container that you can purchase from a store (a foam cooler, for example) that is large enough to put inside a readily available automatic egg turner (such as the Little Giant 6300 or the Hova-Bator 1611).
b.) Do the same as above, but instead, use a plastic cooler.
To access a few helpful videos, please see these links:
See if the IncuKit Mini is a good option for you: IncuKit Mini
Ideas for a simple table-top Incubator: Table-top
Compare thermostat options: Egg incubator thermostats
3. Gather the required components
See Essential Components and Where to buy components for tips on what you will need and where to get the parts.
4. Gather required tools
Based on what you have for your container and egg turner, you may need saws, drills, knives, and basic hand tools to build your incubator. Know what you will need and have the required tools handy so you can focus on building the incubator and not searching for tools.
5. Build it!
Don't be too hard on yourself if your first try doesn't produce the perfect incubator. Many people make one just to get some experience. They then test it out, determine what works and what doesn't and apply that knowledge to their next incubator. Have fun with it! But keep in mind that when it comes time to start actually incubating eggs, you're working with a living thing. Have respect for that life and do your very best.