Things You'll Need
Incubator
Cardboard box
Blanket/Paper towels
Lamp
220-volt light bulb
Thermometer
When a robin lays eggs, the eggs must be kept warm and secure in order to hatch. Under normal conditions, robins sit on their nests to provide that warmth and safety; however, when something happens to the mother, the eggs must be kept warm in other ways. If you have found a deserted robin's nest with eggs, gather the eggs carefully and warm them in an incubator until they hatch. If you do not have an incubator, you can use some common household items instead.
Incubator Hatching
Place the eggs inside of the incubator.
Put the incubator in a safe, sheltered spot away from drafts and traffic. You should not expose robin eggs to extreme temperature changes or direct sunlight.
Set the thermostat on your incubator to 100 degrees fahrenheit. The temperature of the box should remain constant.
Box Hatching
Find a small, cardboard box and line it with paper towels or a blanket. Place the robin eggs in the box.
Put the box in a safe, sheltered spot, away from drafts and traffic. You should not expose robin eggs to extreme temperature changes or direct sunlight.
Put a 220-volt light bulb in the lamp. Place the lamp close to the box to keep the robin eggs warm.
Place a thermometer in the box near the eggs and monitor the temperature every 1 to 2 hours to prevent the eggs from overheating. Shift the position of the lamp as needed to maintain a temperature of 100 degrees fahrenheit in the box.
Warnings
According to Wild-Bird-Watching.com, most bird eggs that you find will not be viable. Despite your care, robin eggs may still fail to hatch.
Although there are a few exceptions, possessing wild birds, their eggs or nests without a permit is a violation of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
