INCUBATION PROCEDURES

It is important that the conditions and length of storage play a major role in changes to the physical -chemical properties of eggs ,development and survival of the embyro and therefore the hatch results. 

Initially preheat compansate for the egg storage. Preheating minimizes the adverse impact of storage and is achieved in three ways

1. Favour the regeneration of cells that die during storage.
2. To better co-ordinate embryo development before incubation starts.
3. Reduce hatch window and thus improve chick quality. 

Preheating methods vary from hatchery to hatchery but they are all based on a progressive in temperature to a level that allows regeneration of cell growth. The morphological development of the embryo continues when the internal egg temperature is more than 27°C. The goal of preheating is therefore to bring the eggs to a temperature that will promote cell growth during a period that is sufficiently long to permit majority of embryos to arrive at the same level of development.

Conditions of Preheating.

In front of the incubator (Controlled by temperature ,but minimal air movement.

Temperature 25-27°C

Humidity 50-55%

Duration(minimum) - 12hours

In the incubator.

Temperature  25-27°C

Humidity 50-55%

Duration 8hours..

The embryonic development is essentially controlled by temperature. It is one of the most important parameters in determining the incubation conditions.

Heat production from the embryos.

During the embryonic development they are two important periods.

1. Endothemic at the start of incubation,lasting for about 8-9days.
2. Exothemic at the end of incubation ,lasting for 7-8days.

Between the two ,a stage called isothemic which is often very short is also sometimes mentioned. Incubation programs should take into account the growth potential of the breed and it is impossible to satisfy the needs of all breeds with different growth potential if they are incubated in the same machine. Here i strongly urge you to incubate one type of breed in the incubator. Large eggs have different requirements and cannot be incubated with smaller eggs. The concept of heat percieved is different to that of heat produced;the first being very dependant on the surrounding environment of the egg(including shell quality). While the second is intristic to embryo metabolism.

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CANDLING OF EGGS.