We cut a separate slot to insert the light and run the cord out the side of the incubator as opposed to through the top. Luckily Baba knew a thing or two about wiring and was able to get our light bulb properly wired and mounted. Providing a source of heat within the egg incubator is very important. We kept the plugs that we cut out so that if needed we could plug the holes again to better regulate the temperature. Heat source (we use a 60 watt light bulb, but the wattage may vary depending on the size of your incubator)Īfter acquiring the necessary materials Baba and I cut ventilation holes in the Styrofoam cooler.Sponges to put in the water (helps bring the humidity up in the incubator).Wire to set the eggs on so that they will not roll around.Insulated container to incubate eggs (we used an old Styrofoam cooler).While it’s certainly nothing to look at, it does the job just fine! With all the materials finally acquired, Baba and I set to work to create our own homemade egg incubator and here’s how we did it!
I will admit that I got quite a few stares (more than normal) toting this old, beaten up ice chest on top of my head through town. Finally, one day when in Accra I saw an old Styrofoam cooler along the side of the road and was able to acquire it for free. We searched for old, broken down refrigerators and ice chests, but had no luck. We spent a couple of weeks trying to find an insulated container of some sort to incubate the eggs. Some items, like the heat source, wire, water dishes and sponges were easy to find while others took a little more effort. After making a list of the items we would need, I sent the list with Baba and we each set out to find these items. What would happen if the egg incubator broke down? What if the business doesn’t pan out? I knew there had to be another, less expensive route we could take to mediate our risk in getting started in the artificial hatching business.Īfter doing some research, I decided that Baba and I could make a homemade egg incubator ourselves and for a fraction of the cost. Even with the information that Baba had taken the time to provide me, I wasn’t convinced that buying him an egg incubator would be the most sustainable move. A big part of AgriCorps work focuses on sustainability.
But it also posed another problem for me.
Needless to say, I was surprised and impressed. On it, he had carefully organized the information I had asked for. That next week Baba showed up to my house with a sheet of paper in hand. As he walked away, I honestly wondered if he would pursue the project any further. I asked him to find out the price of an egg incubator, how much fertilized poultry eggs cost in the market, how old he would sell his hatched chicks and for how much. Instead of giving him the money, I gave him an assignment. I knew what he wanted was for me to put money toward his egg incubator, but I just couldn’t justify doing that if he didn’t have solid plan in place that would allow him to make that money back…and then some. One of the biggest challenges Ghanaians face in establishing a new or better business is obtaining capital and agriculture is certainly no exception. Can you help me?”Īfter quizzing Baba a bit about his plans for his egg incubator, it occurred to me he needed to do his homework and develop a more concrete business plan. “I want to buy an egg incubator,” he said, “but it’s very costly. I turned around to see Baba, one of my students in my class, had stayed behind to talk with me specifically. I heard footsteps behind me and a voice say “Madam, please, I need your help”.
After an afternoon spent planting some green beans, squash and okra with some students, I was tired. I rinsed off my hands and feet under the hydrant in the school garden.
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