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Hatching - Incubation
Hatching of eggs refers to the production of baby chicks. In early days eggs were hatched by placing them under broody hens. Desi hens proved to be ideal for this purpose. Only 10 to 12 eggs can be put under 1 hen. This method of hatching is highly unsatisfactory for large-scale production of baby chicks. Incubators, which provide similar environment as that of broody hens, but more efficiently, are used at present for hatching of eggs. The incubation period for chicken eggs is 20 to 21 days, and increases up to 30 days for other poultry. After sitting for some days, a broody hen can be given some newly hatched chicks and, if they are accepted, the original eggs can be removed and replaced with more chicks. Thus hens with a better record of mothering can be better utilised for their abilities. Eggs initially need a very controlled heat input to maintain the optimum temperature of 38°C, because the embryo is microscopic in size.
Poultry production, considered one of the relatively less affected meat lines in these times of financial turmoil, still needs a lot of help from companies like E-CAT which provides precise hatchery automation systems to cut costs and sustain quality. Looking on to some of the most financially challenged times in decades, the egg and poultry production worldwide still appears promising as demand for poultry meat has never substantially dived. Yet, the sector needs as much...
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Artificial incubation of poultry eggs is an ancient practice. Aristotle writing in the year 400 B.C. told of Egyptians incubating eggs spontaneously in dung heaps. The Chinese developed artificial incubation at least as early as 246 B.C. These early incubation methods were often practiced on a large scale, a single location perhaps having capacity of 36,000 eggs. The application of incubation principles was a closely guarded secret, passed from one generation to the next. The proper...
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Hungarian poultry specialist Dr. László Kőrösi (58) has been appointed to represent Pas Reform, as the Dutch hatchery technology company expands further into Eastern Europe.
Founder of poultry health and management consultancy, AgriAL Bt., in 2002, Dr. Kőrösi began his career as a veterinarian and technical consultant for Shaver, with a MSc from Budapest Veterinary University.
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During last edition of VIV Asia, Petersime N.V. -global leader in incubators and hatchery systems- introduced a new product, Synchro-Hatch , its latest innovation in bio-response. Mr John Vanackere , Area Sales Manager Petersime N.V. presented this system that helps the hatchery manager to know whenever the chicks' first movements begin. This is a tool which assists improving hatching efficiency by...
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The development of the embryo is determined by the temperature inside the shell, the embryo temperature. This temperature will dictate the development, but with that also the hatchability and the quality of the day-old chick.
It is often assumed that this temperature is fully dependent on the temperature of the air. Although air temperature has a large influence on it, it is not the only factor and in some situations not even the most important factor to consider.
We want to...
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Previous research has shown that quality hatching eggs improve the likelihood of optimum hatchability as well as result in good chick quality (Yoho et al., 2008, Moyle et al., 2008). Pathogens can penetrate, contaminating the egg shell, its membranes and the embryo (Berrang et al., 1999). Improperly handled eggs can also explode contaminating the surrounding eggs in the setter. While proper sanitation of eggs can be beneficial to overall hatchability, failure to follow recommended sanitation...
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In recent months it has been noticed that many hatcheries have experienced more contamination, including Salmonella, than usual. In order to better understand how to reduce contamination it is a good idea to review the biology of the egg. There are several natural defenses against contamination that hatching eggs possess and these are reviewed in this Poultry Tip.
1. Shell . The eggshell provides a barrier for microbes attempting to penetrate the egg. The shell,...
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The main components of air are oxygen (O 2 ), nitrogen (N 2 ), carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), and water vapor (H 2 O). The free movement of these molecules through the pores of the shell and the shell membranes is important because the developing embryo must receive a constant supply of oxygen and must eliminate carbon dioxide and moisture. a. Oxygen in the Air The oxygen content of the air at sea level...
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During the last decade incubation temperature control has become more critical. The problems associated with controlling the temperature of high yielding breeder eggs during incubation are well known to the breeder-hatchery industry. Looking at the set point and sensor temperatures is not enough to evaluate the conditions inside the mass of incubating eggs in an incubator. Currently, hatcheries are measuring embryo temperatures routinely as a quality control procedure. To determine what...
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Pas Reform continues to expand in Asia, with the announcement that Malaysia’s PW Consolidated Bhd (formerly known as PinWee Group Bhd.) has signed an agreement for the supply of Smart incubators for a new state-of-the-art hatchery in Kedah, Malaysia. The contract, signed by Mr. Dato’Siah Gim Eng and Mrs. Datin Law Hooi Lean of PW Consolidated with Henk Markhorst, Sales Director and Dr. Tan Ee Seng, Sales Director Asia, from Pas Reform Hatchery Technologies, also includes provision for...
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Steam has been used for decades for providing humidity in many types of industrial and home environments. Until recently, it has been considered too expensive for hatchery use, and therefore has not been used. Currently, steam as a hatchery humidity source is more affordable and is being used in some larger hatcheries. There are many ways hatcheries are currently humidifying their setter, hatcher, egg, and chick rooms. The type of equipment selected depends on the size of the room, air...
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Cool storage of hatching eggs is a "necessary evil" which hatchery managers have to endure. When coordinating the incubation of millions of eggs it is sometimes necessary to store hatching eggs, there-bye putting the development of the chick embryo "on hold". This storage does not come without a cost. Hatchery managers are aware of the general "rule" that the hatchability of eggs stored more than one week is reduced. There is no data on modern strains to show how much hatchability...
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Although there have been great improvements in the breeder house, egg transportation and the hatchery, on-farm hatching egg storage has been largely ignored. The lack of improvement might be traced to a lack of information about the optimum environment to maintain viability of hatching eggs stored at the farm level. Meeting chick placement needs and ensuring the full utilization of incubation equipment have made hatching egg storage inevitable in the commercial broiler industry. While...
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The most important step in egg sanitation is the production of nest-clean eggs. This requires a carefully planned management system. The following practices have proved useful in producing clean hatching eggs and in keeping the eggs clean until they are set in incubators. • Maintain birds on wire, plastic, or wooden slatted floors whenever possible. However, some commercial strains of chickens and turkeys do not produce well in this environment and must have litter floors...
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There are many factors which affect chick quality and percent hatchability from hatching eggs. As a general rule, other than fertility, conditions in the hatchery are considered to be more important to successfully hatching quality chicks than conditions on the farm. However, providing the proper temperature and environmental conditions for hatching eggs prior to incubation can be nearly as important as during incubation. As midday summer temperatures continue to rise both in, and around...
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In the production as well as the rearing periods, the lighting programme greatly influences the feed consumption. In addition, during all its life, a chicken remains sensitive to changes in the duration of illumination. The objective of the lighting programmes during production period...
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Hatchability Problems Hatching egg quality parameters have become increasingly important as commercial broiler breeder producers attempt to maximize hatchability. The egg pack can be easily monitored and growers held responsible for sending too many poor quality eggs to the hatchery. However, even good quality eggs can be mishandled. When care is not taken the incidence of otherwise good hatching eggs sent to the hatchery in the form of...
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The period from one day old to the point of first egg production is a critical time in the life of the laying hen. It is during this time that the physiological capability of the hen is developed. Success in the rearing period leads to the success in the laying house and start from chick arrival. All...
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Pas Reform and prominent Brazilian poultry businessman José Antonio Campos Fracasso, president of Hygen Genética Avícola Ltda., have announced a new venture to manufacture Pas Reform’s full suite of Hatchery Technologies outside The Netherlands for the first time in the Dutch company’s history. Pas Reform do Brasil is being launched as a subsidiary of the Dutch company at Rio Claro city/SP and will, says Bouke Hamminga, Pas Reform’s International sales and business development director,...
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Petersime R&D is pleased to announce the addition of Luc Gabriël to its R&D team. Mr Gabriël, 45, joins Petersime as an experienced designer. Most recently, he was employed by Eliet, where he was involved in developing professional gardening machines for garden waste treatment, lawn maintenance, and waste clearance.
His skills and experience range from mechanical design to hardware design, software design and mathematical modelling. Between his interest...
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