What is an incubator and the incubation process in poultry farming

Poultry farming » Chickens

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Kira Stoletova

Incubators for chicken eggs can also be useful at home. Some models provide the desired operating mode, holding up to 500 eggs at a time.

Incubators for chicken eggs

When deciding to raise chickens, you should know about the peculiarities of the birth rate of chicks, as well as the incubation of eggs by the hen. Birds are easy to monitor if they are reared in small quantities. But for owners of large farms, it is advisable to raise chickens in an incubator. The use of such devices makes it possible to achieve good bird survival rates. In addition, the farmer himself takes minimal participation in this process; he is only required to collect the egg.

What is an incubator and what is it used for?

Incubators (from the Latin “hatching eggs”) are equipment that allows for complete replacement of chickens during hatching of eggs. The technological process of operation of such a device is based on uniform heating of the placed product. Uniform heating, as well as air humidity, are the main components of egg ripening and hatching. This is what determines the main types of equipment that are available on the modern agricultural market. Incubation can be performed using manual, mechanical and automatic devices.

A manual incubator requires regular human intervention in the technological process. Eggs placed in the machine tray must be turned over every 4 hours with your own hands. Using such equipment for large farms is unprofitable and energy-consuming. The mechanical apparatus works on the same principle, but the product is turned over by a separate mechanism controlled by the breeder. That is, several times a day, a person should spend only a few seconds turning the eggs by pressing a special button or lever. But the most effective and popular is equipment with automatic egg turning.

The machine eliminates the participation of the farmer. Each egg placed is subjected to uniform heating, and a special system is used to turn it over; even the last chicken will be heated upon hatching. In addition, some manufacturers of such equipment produce their products not only for chicken eggs, but also for duck and quail eggs. Such devices appeared recently and immediately earned positive reviews from users. Everyone can choose a model that is convenient for themselves, because they can have different capacities. A device with a tray for 50-100 eggs can provide a home poultry house, while an industrial property can be served by a device for 500 or more eggs.

Using a Brooder

It is best not to use an incubator to house chicks once they have rested and their feathers have dried. For this, there are special brooders or any box, cage, or cleaned aquarium. The main thing is that the babies are warm inside. The floor is covered with newspaper or sprinkled with wood shavings (available at pet stores). You can keep your brooder warm with a low-cost, low-wattage tubular heater designed for small spaces and greenhouses. You need to install a lamp with a power of at least 60 W above the brooder and adjust its height so that the chicks do not suffocate from the heat, but also do not shiver from the cold.

How does material move in incubators?

Every poultry farmer knows that when hatching eggs, chickens move them with their own beak so that all the embryos get the proper temperature comfort. It is difficult for a person to turn over the incubation material, because one such operation can take up to 15 minutes. And if the chickens are actively laying eggs, there will be a lot of eggs. It is very difficult to do this on your own. In addition, with a little investment, you can purchase automatic incubators.

The necessary human comfort, the absence of the need for the constant presence of the farmer throughout all days of incubation, is a merit of the operation of such equipment. The machine itself provides movement in three different ways:

1. Rolling. Occurs due to the movement of a special grid.
2. Rotation. Incubation occurs by systematically changing the position of the gratings, which are moved by special rollers.
3. Incline. The principle of operation of such a mechanism is associated with changing the position of the tray with the material, beyond the appearance of an angle of 45°C.

The incubator can be small in size and light in weight. The price for such devices is determined by various factors, depending on the popularity of the manufacturer, the presence of a thermostat and certain characteristics of the device. In addition, the devices can be equipped with analogue or digital controls, which provides even greater comfort.

For those who are concerned about saving energy consumption, equipment operating from a 12V network may also be suitable. Such devices have a battery that allows them to accumulate the necessary energy to function in case of power problems. In addition, the set air temperature will be maintained for a long time, even if the heating element is turned off. The materials from which incubator chambers are made have good heat conservation properties.

Laying eggs - preparation of material and unit

Before laying, the eggs must be warmed to room temperature - 25 degrees. If this is not done, condensation will appear due to the difference in indicators. Laying can be done in a horizontal or vertical position, the process of turning over depends on this. In the first version, the trays are rotated 180 degrees, in the second, they are tilted alternately by 45 degrees in one direction or the other.

For successful incubation, disinfection is necessary. To do this, the material is treated with a weak solution of potassium permanganate or 1-1.5% hydrogen peroxide. A napkin is moistened with one of the products and the shell is wiped. You can put it in the solution for 4-6 minutes, then remove it and let it dry. The optimal liquid temperature is 31 degrees.

Some poultry farmers dissolve 15-20 g of 25% bleach in a liter of water and lower the eggs for a few minutes. The procedure is carried out one and a half hours before laying.

The incubator is placed in a dry room where a constant temperature is maintained within 15-22 degrees, there are no drafts. Do not install near heating appliances, windows or doors. You should carefully read the instructions supplied with the unit, as the models have their own characteristics. You need to learn in advance how to set up modes.

The incubator is placed on a flat, stable, horizontal surface. Turn on the desired mode and leave for a day. After these procedures, it is ready for use. With the first start-up, the operating condition is checked and the necessary microclimate is created: the required temperature and humidity are set.

The device must be prepared before use. Wash the lid, trays, body and grids. All parts must be clean and dry. Internal elements must be disinfected with formaldehyde, ecocide or chloramine.

Popular domestic incubator

Among the numerous models of domestically produced incubators, no more than 10 devices have earned particular popularity. Among them is the Blitz 48 incubator. Such a device has automatic egg turning at intervals of 2 hours. It makes up to 12 revolutions per day. It has 1 grid to accommodate different birds' material. You can place chicken eggs (up to 48 pieces) in it, and quail and goose eggs occupy the remaining cells of the tray. There are a total of 130 of them in the apparatus. Chickens bred in such an incubator are born strong and healthy, and this is what such equipment is intended for.

Users of this brand's products highlight the following advantages:

• small temperature error (up to 0.1 degrees);
• versatility (you can change the trays yourself);
• convenience and simplicity (use according to the instructions is suitable even for beginners);
• built-in ventilation system that prevents overheating of the material;
• the water necessary for the operation of the device is poured through a special tube located on the outside of the device body (with this design the microclimate in the incubator chamber is not disturbed).

The same manufacturer has released other equally popular models that can accommodate up to 72 chicks. No less popular is the home type of device, made of plywood and foam. Such equipment has a digital thermostat and a transparent viewing window so that a person can check the operating status of the device

According to users of such equipment, domestic products cannot be called ideal. Among the shortcomings is the narrow ventilation tube through which it is necessary to pour water. Equally important is the loading of the tray itself with material. Before placing an egg in it, the part must be removed from the structure, and when the tray is filled, difficulties arise with its installation in the incubator chamber. Anyone can learn more about all the advantages and disadvantages by watching a video that shows a detailed overview of such equipment.

1.1. Cask of Reaumur

In 1740, the French physicist and naturalist Reaumur began studying the artificial hatching of chickens.

Taking with him everything necessary for work, the scientist went to Egypt. He spent his days and nights in mamel el-fir, as the chicken factories were called in Egypt. Reaumur used his famous thermometer (Appendix 3) very widely here. As Reaumur noted, the eggs are turned frequently and the temperature in the Egyptian ovens is not the same at different times of the day, neither falling below 30 degrees nor rising above 32 degrees on his thermometer.

Returning to his homeland, Reaumur set to work on this matter. But the first experiment was not successful and the chickens did not hatch. Then the scientist began to observe the chicken, measuring its body temperature while hatching eggs; it turned out to be different, from 30 to 32 degrees.

By the twentieth to twenty-first day the chicks had hatched and weighed 34 or 35 grams. Before the experiment, the eggs weighed 56-58 grams. The difference in weight was 23 grams. Only one conclusion could be drawn: water, which makes up a significant part of the protein, evaporated during incubation through the pores of the shell. Evaporation can happen faster or slower. If the air in the incubator is dry, evaporation occurs more. When the egg quickly dries out, the protein changes in composition and cannot serve as food for the embryo. And without food, the embryo inevitably dies.

Now the scientist decided to try the ancient Chinese method. He took out several wooden barrels, lowered baskets of eggs into them and lined them with fresh horse manure, then made air holes in the lids of the barrels. In such an incubator, the warm air that warmed the eggs was quite humid from the manure evaporating nearby. The chickens have hatched.

After the long-forgotten incubator of Dr. Porto, the Reaumur barrel was the first mobile device in Europe for hatching chickens.

Throughout his life, Reaumur persistently studied and applied various methods of incubation. He did not have time to create a completed machine, but after his discoveries this business began to develop more successfully and faster.

Devices "Laying Layer"

This domestic manufacturer is popular for its models BI 1 and BI 2. The Layer household incubator can have an analog and digital thermostat, which is convenient for anyone to use. The device itself comes with a user manual and replacement trays. The rest of the equipment is sold separately. The most important missing item to buy is a battery pack that can last up to 20 hours without interruption.

The laying incubator BI 1 has a simple adjustment panel and a tray for 36 eggs. The 2nd generation of products from this brand has more functional characteristics. Nesushka devices are in great demand due to their advantages, which are:

• affordable price;
• cells for eggs with different sizes;
• good heat conservation (in the absence of a battery, it can maintain the temperature in the chamber for up to 5 hours);
• presence of a viewing window.

Laying devices are also popular because of their light weight. This question often interests farmers who are interested in such devices. You should find out how much such a device weighs in the declared technical specifications (in the instructions). Depending on the model and its configuration, there are devices weighing from 2 to 6 kg.

After purchasing devices from this brand, difficulties may arise in its use. This is especially true for heating incubation material. The egg does not heat up evenly. In addition, poor quality assembly of the manufacturer itself forces users to begin improving and repairing such devices. As farmers say, such a device, despite its shortcomings, performs its functions efficiently. Chicks are born healthy and strong.

Anyone who wants to learn about all the nuances of use can watch the VIDEO.

Incubation - step-by-step process

To understand the timing of hatching chickens, the conditions that are necessary, you need to know the classification. Incubation lasts 21 days and is divided into four periods:

1. The first week from the day the eggs were laid.
2. 8-11 days.
3. From 12 noon until the first beep.
4. Before the chicks hatch.

In each period, a certain temperature and humidity are maintained. Conditions depend on natural processes occurring under the shell. Without strict adherence to the incubation regime, it is difficult to obtain a high-quality chick hatch.

Chicks that have not received enough warmth hatch weak, lethargic, and emerge late from the shell. The incubation process cannot be accelerated by increasing the temperature. An overheated brood has poor yolk absorption, a large percentage of suffocated embryos, and sticky fluff. Indicators are within normal limits for embryos from 27 to 43 degrees: when heated from different sides - 38.5, with top heating - 37-40.

The health of the future herd is also affected by the level of humidity. It is different for each bird species. When the shell dries out, the liquid evaporates, which negatively affects the health of the embryo. In the incubator, humidity is maintained using baking trays, irrigated channels located in the lower part of the body, and household sprayers installed under the grille.

Measure humidity with a hygrometer. If you don’t have one, you can use a medical thermometer wrapped in cotton wool or cotton cloth soaked in water. The wet and dry apparatus are placed at the same level in the incubator. 15 minutes after the liquid has dried, readings are taken and compared using a special table.

Other popular models

Among domestic and foreign models of incubators, there are also other functional devices that are in great demand in the market for such products. The most popular are:

• "Cinderella". Works from the electrical network, as well as from the hot water supply. Chickens have good survival rate thanks to this device’s feeding system.
• "The perfect hen." Manufacturer: Russia. Holds from 35 to 104 eggs. Simple device to use and repair.
• "Kvochka" (MI-30). Suitable for eggs of various poultry. Refers to budget models.
• IBM 30 EA. (“Leleka”). Suitable for broiler eggs and other poultry. Holds 42 eggs.

Each of these models has its own description of characteristics that will be of interest to the consumer. Household incubation is carried out in any premises where there is power supply. The main thing is to use devices under certain microclimatic conditions, which increases the efficiency of their operation, as well as the durability of the equipment itself.

Many farmers advise choosing incubator models that have batteries or alternative sources of heating the device chamber. Their use will allow you to safely control the incubation process, without much dependence on a specific energy source.

Hatching

Your eggs should hatch within 24 hours. The time lag of some chicks may be caused by differences in conditions in different parts of the incubator. It is important not to remove the lid from your incubator as you will affect the humidity that has built up inside. Early hatched birds must remain inside the incubator for several hours to dry completely before they are moved into the brooder. The chicks do not need to eat or drink for the first 24 hours as they have had enough egg yolk food. As soon as the first babies have dried out a little, you can take them out of the incubator and transplant them into the brooder. After all chicks are removed, the incubator must be cleaned and sterilized.

What to look for when buying an automatic incubator

Having decided to install an incubator on your own farm, you need to figure out which device will effectively cope with its task. Some features of popular devices will not bring any benefit to the farmer. The main task is to choose the most suitable device with a good price-quality ratio, so you should pay attention to:

• Device capacity. The incubator should contain the average number of eggs that the breeder receives per week.
• Possibility of replacing trays and independently changing their position.
• A simple and human-friendly control panel.
• Ease of repair and operation (cleaning the incubator and replacing its individual parts).
• Possibility of use for other materials (quail eggs, ducks and other poultry kept on the farm).

Chickens matured in artificial conditions have a high level of survival, because automatic incubators are not inferior in their properties to live hens. In addition, the most common incubator models have the following advantages:

• automatic temperature maintenance;
• availability of lighting;
• ventilation of the chamber with the material;
• auto-reversal of material.

You can learn how to operate an incubator in a few minutes.

A person who has studied the instructions for use usually does not have problems with the operation of the devices. The main thing is to correctly place the egg in the loading well and set the desired mode. But some reviews from users of such devices also contain negative information related to the shortcomings of certain devices.

Automatic incubators only work effectively within a certain temperature range.

If the room is cold, the thermostat will not work accurately. In addition, use of the device is allowed only when the trays are maximally filled. And if they are enclosed in a foam casing, regular disinfection should also be carried out. A farmer who is considering the purchase of household equipment should pay attention to such facts, because often people encounter them already in operation.

Practical advice for beginners

The incubator, the price of which starts from 1000 rubles, is of the manual type. However, in order to save money, you can buy this unit and upgrade it yourself. For stable operation of the incubator, you will need to make several temporary relays that automate processes.

All of them are assembled on the basis of simple microcircuits, available for purchase in radio stores. On average, it takes 15-20 minutes to make one timer. On the other hand, digital incubators are completely ready for use, and configuration is carried out through the control panel and does not take any time, but the cost of the models is much higher.

Video with instructions for laying eggs:

If you make an incubator yourself

Incubation can also be carried out in homemade devices. Some farmers prefer to make the incubator themselves, taking care of their own convenience in advance. It is enough to have drawings and the necessary materials to begin the installation of the future place for keeping eggs. The main component of such a structure is electronics. To make such equipment you will need:

• electronics (circuit, thermostat relay, special sensors, and heater);
• old refrigerator;
• egg trays.

Such components of the incubator will not be cheap, but without them the device will not work.

Before placing the egg in a homemade tray, it should be illuminated. Incubation in such equipment does not guarantee the success of the process itself, therefore, it should be tested before using it. It is necessary to assemble such a device strictly according to the existing instructions.

The service life of such devices is difficult to determine. Everything will depend on the quality of all parts and their correct application. In addition, only people with experience in this field can begin assembling the device. Beginners may not be able to do this.

Prices

The cost of professional incubators with the function of automatically turning trays depends on the following conditions:

• capacity;
• availability of additional functions.

Approximate cost of automatic incubators:

• for chicken eggs - from 3,000 thousand rubles (for industrial eggs from 40,000 thousand);
• for goose - from 10,000 rubles;
• for quail - about 9,000 rubles.

The performance of a professional unit allows you to quickly recoup the costs of its purchase.

5.1. Stage 1 – up to 12 days

During this period, the temperature should be at 37.8-38.5 degrees. Humidity is maintained at 75%. Cooling is not used at the first stage; eggs are turned over as often as possible. At this moment, the birth of the embryo and its development occur. The heart, circulatory system and the rudiments of internal organs are formed.

On approximately the 10th day of hatching, during ovoscopy, you can see blood veins that look like branches, as well as the eye of the embryo. During this period, you may notice a heartbeat. At the end of the first stage, eggs are examined using an ovoscope, and all unfertilized or frozen embryos are removed.