FINCHforum

I took a finch egg home from work (otherwise we throw them out) and I want to try to incubate it. I've worked a lot with birds before, but never finches (aside from minimal first aid a couple times) and never eggs w/o parents.

I want to try to incubate it till I can see if it's fertile, but I don't really have money to spend on an incubator. any tips for a home-made one? Does it need special lighting, and how do I control the humidity? Right now it's in a plastic cup on some hay - I wrapped the cup in tin foil, put a plastic baggie w/ holes on the top, and put it under a light. The temperature is only about 92 F.

How temperature sensitive are these guys, and can I rotate it with my finger? How sensitive are the eggs - do the conditions need to be just right, or is there a range that's okay for them? Do I have to buy a humidity gauge, or can I control humidity more basely?

Thanks!

Unfortunately, the likelihood of you getting that egg (or any other bird egg) to hatch without an incubator is very slim. The environment (temperature, humidity, rotations, etc.) does have to be "just right," and 92F will not cut it. You actually might find that purchasing an incubator is easier and cheaper in the long run than attempting to make one at home on your own.

But I'm not sure what your goal is in trying to get this egg to hatch if it is fertile. Finch hatchlings are notoriously delicate and difficult to keep alive, and require around-the-clock care with proper feedings, a brooder, and a very clean environment. Even with everything you need in place, it is still really challenging to keep young baby finches alive.

If you want finches, you would have a much easier time purchasing a few. If you specifically want a hand raised finch baby and you have the time and the expertise to raise one responsibly, I recommend buying a pair of finches and letting them raise the babies until they are about half-way feathered. Hand raising them from that point on is still a lot of work but it has a much better success rate, and the chicks will still treat you like a companion instead of like a threat.