Incubator design for poultry eggs: principles and techniques

Publication date: 29/05/2023
Extent: 22 pages

Contributions by: Ron Meijerhof, Poultry Performance Plus, The Netherlands

Chapter synopsis:

Incubation is a very delicate process that requires a good control of the environment around the egg. Not meeting the requirements of the embryo will result in a loss of hatchability and chick quality which can influence performance in later life. Key factors are: temperature, position and turning of eggs as well as control of moisture, oxygen (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2). This chapter reviews how to create the right conditions to meet embryo requirements in a commercial incubator. It also reviews key issues in hatcher design.

DOI: 10.19103/AS.2022.0118.13