Constructing a Plywood Incubator
The following illustrations are designed to guide the reader through the construction of a small plywood and glass incubator that will accomodate about 100 chicken eggs.
Basic woodworking tools are required required for construction. Gather all equipment and supplies listed below together before starting construction.
The diagrams shown will guide the construction of the unit. Printed diagrams are shown in MCES Publication 1150, Avian Embryo that is available through your local County Agent Office.
Bill of materials
| 1 pc 5 pcs 1 pc 1 pc 1 pc 1 pc 1 pc |
1/2"x4'x6' A-C Exterior Plywood 3/8"x3/4"x8' Pine 3/4"x1½"x13' Pine 3/4"x3¼"x4' Pine 1/2"x3/4"x8' Pine 1/2"x18"x27" rigid insulation board 18"x27" heavy duty aluminum foil |
| 1 pc 4 pcs 4 pcs 2 2 2 1 pc |
1/2"x30" semi-rigid plastic pipe 10"x20" single strength window glass 10"x14" single strength window glass 1½" roundwooden drawer pulls metal drawer pulls (cup type) 2" hooks with eyes 8' felt weatherstripping 1/4"x1/2" |
| 1 pc 2 1 1 2' |
20"x27" - ¼" hardware cloth vent covers - sheet metal incubator electrification kit * attachment plug No. 18-2 flexible service cord |
| 1 10 1 pr 1 1 pc 1 pc |
duplex outlet for surface mounting small porcelain knobs for heating element 4"x1" flat hinges water pan - minimum 360 sq. in. 1/8"x16½' steel rod 3/16"x8' steel rod Assorted nails and screws Waterproof wood glue |
*electrification kit composed of wafer thermostat with duplex outlet, pilot light, service cord, and 160-watt flexible glass-covered heating element.
Publications
News
STARKVILLE, Miss. -- If egg prices have seemed higher than ever lately, it’s because they are, and consumers can place much of the blame squarely at the feet of the ongoing bird flu outbreak.
With highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI, in the environment in Mississippi, owners of backyard flocks have to take extra steps to keep their chickens healthy.
Avian influenza poses an extremely low risk to human health and none to food safety in Mississippi, but its presence poses a risk to backyard flocks and the state’s $3 billion commercial poultry industry.
BILOXI, Miss. -- A large group of agricultural producers gathered at the 2025 Producer Advisory Council meeting Jan. 14 at the Coastal Research and Extension Center in Biloxi. The annual meeting serves as a forum for agricultural producers to discuss their needs with Mississippi State University personnel, including administrators, researchers, specialists and Extension agents with the MSU Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station and MSU Extension Service.
