The advantages of automatic hatching egg collection

Automation of hatching egg collection in breeder houses is often seen as a big investment. However, the investment should be judged not solely on operational costs in the breeder house but also in terms of improved results in the hatchery such as higher hatchability and chick numbers resulting in improved utilisation of hatching eggs. Top quality hatching eggs are essential for high hatchability and thus investment in the quality of eggs produced in the breeder house is sound economic sense.

Optimising house conditions

• Lay-out of the house; The position of nest boxes, slats, drinking and feeding lines, lights, etc. will directly affect bird activity within the house and their distribution within the house. An even distribution of birds will optimise nest box use resulting in reduced numbers of floor eggs. Also there will be reduced possibility of nest box crowding which is associated with dirty, cracked and broken eggs.

A good house layout is the starting point of an optimised environment

• Climate in the house; It is important to maintain a good temperature and humidity in the house in order to keep the birds healthy and the litter in a good condition to lower the ammonia level and create a good mating area.

• Feed quantity and quality; The quantity and quality of feed has a direct impact on the quality of hatching eggs.  Recommended feeding regimes and feed specifications as advised by the breeding company should be strictly adhered to. Failure to do so will result reduced fertility, embryo viability and thus reduced hatchability and chick numbers.

• Flock management; Management will to some extent be dependent on the type of bird and house conditions. However, most important for the quality of hatching eggs is frequent collection of eggs, the schedule of feeding-times and restriction of water.

With a good flock management mating is stimulated

The route from hen to incubator

• Egg hygiene; Contamination of hatching eggs with micro organisms may result in reduce hatchability because of rots and bangers and can lead to poor chick quality. Therefore hygiene in during egg packing, handling and transport is of utmost importance.
• Cracked eggs; If hatching eggs are not handled gently from the bird to the hatchery, hair cracks will lead to lower hatchability.

• Temperature and humidity; Variations in temperature and humidity during transport and storage will have a negative effect on embryonic growth.

• Selection of the eggs; Eggs should be selected for shape, shell quality and colour.  In addition selection on the basis of uniform egg weight and size is important and will reduce the chances of breakages.

• Incorrect storing position; Eggs must be stored point down before and during incubation in order to maximise hatchability.

• Transport trucks; Egg collection vehicles should be designed to prevent shocking of hatching eggs during transit to the hatchery to reduce incidence of hair cracks which will reduce hatchability.

Automation in hatching egg collection

Compared to manual collection, automation gives significant improvements in egg quality. This is largely due to the gentler handling of eggs within automatic systems compared to hand collection. Minimising the human factor will also improve egg hygiene and reduce disturbance of the birds. The initial costs are higher, but operational costs are reduced, as less labour is required.  In combination with the consistency in the quality of egg handling most breeder managers worldwide prefer automatic to manual collection.


Manual collection of hatching eggs

Comfortable and clean nest boxes

The nest box should not only be attractive for the birds, but should also be clean since an egg is laid, the cuticle is still damp allowing dirt to stick onto the shell which can cause internal contamination with bacteria. Roll away nest boxes are preferred as the contact with the egg on the nest flooring is minimised and eggs do not get in contact with contaminating factors such as litter and wood shavings.

To prevent birds littering the nest box at night it is advisable to chose a nest with a closing mechanism. A time clock can be used for automatic closing and opening of the nest box. Tipping floors are the best closing mechanism as this also assures a clean nest floor in the morning. Dirt and dust will fall of easily when closing the nest. At the same time dead birds will be tipped out of the nest.



Another advantage of rollaway nest boxes is that eggs roll away to an egg belt where temperature is uniform. In manual collected nest boxes the temperature will vary as different birds will sit on the egg after it is has been laid. The egg belt should have an open structure in order to create a steady temperature at egg level. Egg belts made of woven material still cause temperature increase if large numbers of eggs are on the belt.

Gentle egg handling and transport

Egg packing, storage and transport

It makes no sense optimising the number of clean and undamaged eggs in the breeder house if the eggs are not packed, stored or transported correctly. This means eggs must be handled gently at all stages. The position of the eggs on trays is important as if they are placed point up hatchability will be affected. The use of an automatic egg packer will reduce the chances of eggs being stored point up and will make it easier to set the eggs directly onto setter trays. Setter trays are preferred over pulp trays, as temperature is more constant and the eggs do not have to be set twice.

Finding a partner in automation