Explore all the information on
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.
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...
Comments : 1
Recommendations: 0
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,...
Comments : 3
Recommendations: 0
Updated Vitamin Requirements Across Species: Microvit® Nutrition Guide
Suggested link
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...
Comments : 2
Recommendations: 0
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...
Comments : 0
Recommendations: 0
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...
Comments : 0
Recommendations: 0
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...
Comments : 1
Recommendations: 0
FIGAP 2026: The Scientific And Technological Exhibition Of The Livestock Industry
Suggested link
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...
Comments : 1
Recommendations: 0
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...
Comments : 0
Recommendations: 0
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...
Comments : 0
Recommendations: 0
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...
Comments : 2
Recommendations: 0
.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
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...
Comments : 2
Recommendations: 0
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...
Comments : 0
Recommendations: 0
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...
Comments : 4
Recommendations: 0
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,...
Comments : 0
Recommendations: 0
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...
Comments : 0
Recommendations: 0
Hubbard is very pleased to announce that Jiggs Killgore has been named Director of Hatcheries for Hubbard LLC. In his new role, Jiggs will be responsible for overseeing and managing all of the Hubbard LLC hatcheries. Jiggs’ focus will be to guarantee the supply of quality products from Hubbard’s hatcheries to its growing customer base. Jiggs is one of the foremost experts in incubation in the country and his knowledge is widely respected worldwide. He has spent 21 years in supervision,...
Comments : 0
Recommendations: 0
Producing a profitable broiler requires that certain standards be met, some even before the chicks are placed on the farm and during the grow-out. The most important principle is to set the best quality fertile eggs in the machines and ensure that all eggs have been handled properly. It is preferred not to hold the eggs more than three days and the egg room must have the right temperature and humidity during storage to avoid killing or weakening the blastoderm. The longer the eggs are kept in...
Comments : 1
Recommendations: 0
Jamesway is pleased to invite you to our Hatchery Management Seminar being held in Raleigh, NC, April 8th - 10th, 2008. This seminar is designed for everyone associated with hatching and all aspects of hatchery operations and management. Included in the seminar will be presentations and interactive discussions by industry specialists, university professors and other industry related guest speakers. Our program will cover the following topics: •...
Comments : 0
Recommendations: 0
In a commercial broiler integration, the objective is to provide the best quality hatching eggs that produce the greatest number of quality chicks per hen housed. A properly managed hen can produce more than 180 eggs, which potentially can result in approximately 600 pounds of broiler meat. However, there exists great variation in the amount of meat produced per hen among integrations. Much of this difference can be traced back to how the eggs were managed during collection, storage, and...
Comments : 4
Recommendations: 0
Economic losses associated with the incidence of egg shell defects are important when evaluating the profitability of a layer operation (Bell, 1998; Gomez- Basauri, 1997; Roland, 1988; Hamilton et al., 1979). Worldwide estimates of reduced shell quality leading to egg breakage have been found to range from 6 to 8% (Anderson and Carter, 1976; Folkerts, 1976; Roland, 1977; Hamilton et al., 1979). In the USA alone this has been estimated to be around 8% (Roland, 1988). Shell defects are not...
Comments : 0
Recommendations: 0
