If you're hatching chickens, ducks, quail or turkeys, an incubator is necessary for Incubating Eggs. These inexpensive devices are easy to use and usually work quite well. Maintaining ideal temperature and humidity levels are critical for successful egg hatching. They can have a major effect on how quickly your eggs develop into viable hatchlings.
Temperature
Temperature is an essential element when Incubating Eggs and hatching eggs artificially. Setting the temperature incorrectly can result in early or late hatches, weak birds or even death of the eggs. To ensure the optimal temperature in an incubator, it must be carefully maintained. Achieving an accurate and consistent temperature requires checking several times a day throughout the incubation period.
For still-air incubators (those without fans for air circulation), use a thermometer with its bulb at eye level with the top of an egg. For forced-air incubators, adjust the temperature so it stays at or above freezing without freezing eggs. A reliable thermometer should have a scale that accurately reads the temperature needed for incubating an egg. Even small changes can make a huge difference in hatching rates, so it's best to be precise and use an accurate thermometer. Chicken, duck, pheasant, quail and other species' eggs require temperatures of approximately 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature is slightly higher than the ambient air temperature of 100 degrees F.
Temperatures below the ideal incubator temperature can have an adverse effect on hatch rates. This is because weakened embryos may be more vulnerable to illness, leading to poor egg quality or even death for the chicks. Temperature must be monitored and adjusted regularly during incubation to guarantee the correct temperature is being maintained, helping prevent cold spots on the inside of eggs which could delay hatching. Before setting eggs, use a solution of one capful of bleach per gallon of water heated to about 110 degrees (substitute liquid dish soap or the recommended dilution of Tek-Trol). This will help keep your flock healthy and reduce the likelihood of future viability issues.
Humidity
Humidity level in an incubator is critical for successful hatching. This affects embryo growth, so it's essential to regulate it appropriately. Humidity is a measure of the concentration of water vapor in the air and it can be altered by adding or subtracting moisture. Temperature and ventilation system influence humidity levels; humilities rise or fall depending on these variables. To accurately measure humidity in an incubator, it's best to use a thermometer and hygrometer. Although these instruments can be expensive, they are essential for accurate incubation.
Cheap models often provide inaccurate readings, so it is always better to invest in a high-quality model that provides precise readings. Some incubators come equipped with both a hygrometer and thermometer built-in, while others require separate models for use. For the first 18 days of incubation, humidity should remain between 58-60% or 84-86 degrees Fahrenheit for wet bulb eggs. This temperature range is ideal for egg hatching. On the last three days (Day 19 to Day 21), humidity should increase until it reaches 65-70 percent, an ideal level for embryo development.
Incubators are not designed to increase humidity inside, but there are various methods available. The most popular solution involves placing a container filled with water into the bottom compartment of an incubator; this will gradually raise humidity in that area beneath the eggs. Another method is to spray the incubator with water using an atomizer. This can help increase humidity levels quickly, improving the condition of the eggs. Finally, you can increase the humidity in an incubator by placing eggs in a petri dish or pie pan with some water. Doing this will gradually raise the humidity within the egg compartment and help it remain humid.
Humidity is key for hatching eggs and for ducklings' survival. Low humidity can cause shell membranes to dry and harden, making it impossible for the chick to break through - this condition is known as shrink wrapping, and without escape, the chick will perish within its shell.
Ventilation
To properly incubate an egg, the incubator must ventilate to supply oxygen and remove carbon dioxide, moisture and heat. Oxygen is essential for embryo growth while carbon dioxide removal keeps eggs from becoming too dry or dehydrated. Modern forced-draft incubators maintain a temperature of 99-100degF throughout the incubation period. Maintaining this temperature is critical as any deviation could damage or stunt an embryo's development and growth. Maintaining a proper humidity level in an incubator is essential. Humidity can be measured using a wet bulb thermometer.
If the humidity in your machine is too high, adding more water may help. Doing so will increase evaporation rate and raise relative humidity within the machine. You can also add a sponge to the pan for additional surface area and increased evaporation. Embryos generate a great deal of heat during their development, which must be quickly dissipated. An inadequate ventilation system will lead to excessive production of this heat and the potential risk for heat injury to developing embryos.
When hatcheries require sufficient ventilation rates for different stages of incubation, the ventilation capacity must be sufficient. This is especially critical in multi-stage machines where different machines require different ventilation rates during different periods. It is essential to make sure the ventilation is appropriate for both the size of the machine and age group included. If it is too small, embryos may not be able to get enough oxygen and this could lead to their death.
Ventilation rates are also determined by the CO2 level in the machine, as embryos produce a certain amount of CO2 while incubating and this changes with air entering it. On average, each m3 of incoming air adds 3.5 liters of CO2, so for your machine to remove enough carbon dioxide from it effectively, you need adequate ventilation.
Turning
When incubating an egg, it is essential to turn it frequently. Doing this prevents the yolk from sticking to the shell membrane and dying, while also providing fresh nutrients and oxygen inside of the egg. Egg turning is one of the most essential elements for chick hatching success, as it helps prevent the eggs from getting stuck in their incubator. Therefore, it's wise to turn your eggs frequently during the first week after hatching. Incubators usually feature a turning system which rotates eggs once toward each side of the incubator at an angle between 45deg and 43deg.
By increasing egg turning frequency, hatchability can be improved; however, it's essential to ensure the system does not shake too hard and cause cracking of the shells. Doing so increases the risk of malposition and embryonic mortality in older flocks. Commercial hatcheries typically turn broiler breeder eggs at a rate of 43deg to 45deg per hour until day 18 of incubation, however some research suggests that egg turning is no longer necessary after 15 days of incubation.
Commercial hatcheries sometimes employ a countdown clock to stop turning the eggs two days before hatching, providing added safety for chicks by not turning them too close to hatching. Doing so could result in inverted hatches or injury from moving parts in the incubator. Another advantage of an automated egg turner is that it automatically turns the eggs at regular intervals, eliminating any worry of forgetting to do it! Some models even feature markings to show which side should be turned each time so you can keep track of where each batch should go.
Commercial hatcheries typically turn the eggs at 45deg to 43deg angles, though some require different angles depending on the type of egg being incubated. It is essential that your incubator's turning system be smooth and consistent every time an egg is turned.