Prairie State 200 Egg Incubator

Country of Origin:  USA, Homer City, Pennsylvania

Period: Circa 1908 - 1920

Manufacturer: Prairie State Incubator Co.

Dimensions: Approx 38 x 36 x 15 in. (Main Body)

Condition: Age and Use Wear

Additional Information: Large antique wooden Prairie State poultry egg incubator, manufactured by the Prairie State Incubator Company of Homer City, Pennsylvania, during the early 20th century.

This cabinet style incubator was designed primarily for hatching chicken eggs, although it could also have been used for ducks, turkeys and other poultry. Based on its construction, original company decal and surviving equipment, it likely dates to approximately circa 1908–1920.

With Its broad, shallow cabinet containing two large side by side wire mesh egg trays, it is most likely a nominal 200 egg model, accommodating approximately 100 chicken eggs per tray. The exact catalog model and factory-rated capacity have not been confirmed.

The wooden cabinet retains its original decorative Prairie State Incubator Co., Homer City, Pennsylvania decal, molded trim, double glass access doors and four turned wooden support legs. 

Included components consist of:

• Two removable wooden-framed wire-mesh egg trays

• Galvanized metal moisture or humidity pans

• Double glass inspection and access doors

• Four turned wooden support legs

• Original exterior heater and flue components shown

• Screened ventilation openings

• Surviving hinges, catches and cabinet hardware

The separate cylindrical metal assembly is part of the original kerosene or fuel oil heating and air circulation system. Warm air would have circulated through the cabinet around the egg trays, while water placed in the metal pans supplied humidity.

The heater system is incomplete beyond the components shown and is not represented as functional. The original burner, fuel reservoir, thermostat, damper controls or related operating hardware

Unrestored antique agricultural condition with substantial age and use wear, including: Scratches, stains, and finish loss throughout the cabinet; fading and wear to the original Prairie State decal; oxidation and residue on the heater components, egg trays, and galvanized pans; wear to the glass door frames, hinges, and catches; an incomplete heating system; and general wear consistent with prolonged farm use and storage.

Because of its age and incomplete fuel-burning system, the incubator is sold as an antique agricultural and poultry farming collectible, not as a safe or operational hatching appliance.

An impressive piece of early American poultry farming equipment suitable for an agricultural collection, farm museum, historic hatchery display, country store, primitive interior or large scale decorative installation.