The temperature and humidity range that can be controlled by an egg incubator will vary depending on the model and manufacturer. Generally, the temperature range for incubating most types of eggs is between 37.2°C to 38.8°C, while the optimal humidity range is between 40% and 60%.
It’s important to keep the temperature and humidity within the recommended range for the type of eggs being incubated, as deviations can impact hatch rates and the health of the hatchlings. Some incubators may have automatic temperature and humidity control, while others may require manual adjustment.
It’s best to consult with a specialist in egg incubation or follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for temperature and humidity control to ensure optimal incubation conditions for your eggs.
The incubation time for different types of eggs can vary depending on several factors, including the size of the egg, the species of the bird, and the incubation temperature and humidity. Here are some general incubation times for common types of eggs:
Chicken eggs: 21 days
Duck eggs: 28 days
Turkey eggs: 28 days
Goose eggs: 28 to 35 days
Quail eggs: 16 to 18 days
Pheasant eggs: 23 to 28 days
Parrot eggs: 18 to 28 days, depending on the species
Ostrich: 42 days
Owl eggs: 30-31 days
It’s also important to understand that while the incubation time is an estimate, hatching can occur within a range of a few hours to several days after the incubation period has ended. The hatchling should be removed from the incubator as soon as it is ready to avoid over-crowding or other issues.
The incubation capacity of an egg incubator refers to the maximum number of eggs that can be incubated at one time. The capacity can range from a few eggs to several hundred, depending on the size and type of incubator.
Small incubators for home use typically have a capacity of 24 to 48 eggs, while larger, commercial-grade incubators can hold hundreds of eggs. When choosing an incubator, it’s important to consider your incubation needs and the size of the eggs you will be incubating, as well as the space you have available for the incubator.
It’s also important to note that the actual incubation capacity of an incubator can be impacted by the size of the eggs and the arrangement of the incubator’s trays. Some incubators may have adjustable trays or dividers to accommodate different egg sizes. It’s best to consult the manufacturer’s specifications or consult with a specialist to determine the best incubator for your needs.
The cost of starting a hatchery business in Kenya can vary greatly depending on several factors, including the
size of the operation,
the type of equipment and infrastructure needed
the cost of inputs such as eggs, incubators,
feed.
On average, you can expect to spend anywhere from a few hundred thousand Kenyan shillings to several million, depending on the scale of the operation.
It’s important to conduct thorough market research and create a detailed business plan to ensure that you have a realistic understanding of the costs involved and to increase your chances of success.
Here is a rough breakdown of some of the costs involved in starting a small hatchery business in Kenya:
Land and Building: Rent or purchase of land and construction of a hatchery building can cost anywhere from KES 10,000 to KES 1,000,000 or more depending on location and size.
Equipment: Incubators, hatchers, brooder equipment, feeders, and other necessary equipment can cost from KES 15,000 to KES 1,500,000 or more.
Inputs: Eggs, incubation trays, feed, electricity, and other inputs can cost around KES 5,000 to KES 100,000 per month.
Labor: Hiring workers to manage the day-to-day operations of the hatchery can cost around KES 5,000 to KES 25,000 per month per worker.
Marketing and Advertising: Marketing and advertising expenses to promote your hatchery and attract customers can cost anywhere from KES 5,000 to KES 50,000 per month.
In Kenya, starting a hatchery business requires obtaining several licenses and permits. Here are some of the key licenses and permits that you may need:
Business Registration: You will need to register your business with the Registrar of Companies to legally operate in Kenya.
Environmental Permit: A hatchery business may be considered a type of agribusiness, which may require an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and an environmental permit from the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA).
Food Safety and Hygiene License: A hatchery business is considered a food processing business, so you may need to obtain a food safety and hygiene license from the Ministry of Health and the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS).
Poultry Breeder and Hatching Eggs License: You may need to obtain a license from the Kenya Poultry Breeders and Hatching Eggs Association (KPBHEA) if you plan to sell hatching eggs or breed poultry.
Personal Identification Number (PIN): You will need to obtain a PIN from the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) to legally conduct business in Kenya.
Here is a basic guide on how to use an incubator to hatch chicken eggs:
Choose the right incubator: Select an incubator that fits the number of eggs you want to hatch, has an accurate temperature control system, and can maintain a consistent temperature and humidity level.
Prepare the incubator: Clean the incubator thoroughly and fill the water trough with distilled water to maintain the required humidity level. Set the temperature to the recommended range of 99-100°F (37.2-37.8°C).
Prepare the eggs: Obtain fresh, fertile chicken eggs and candle them to check for cracks or other defects. Place the eggs in the incubator on their sides, small end facing down, and ensure they are spaced apart evenly.
Monitor temperature and humidity: Regularly check the temperature and humidity levels to ensure they are within the recommended range. Adjust the temperature or add more water to the water trough as needed to maintain the desired conditions.
Turn the eggs: At least three times a day, gently turn the eggs to prevent the yolk from sticking to the shell and to ensure proper embryo development.
Monitor egg development: After 18-21 days, the eggs will start to hatch. Continue monitoring the temperature and humidity levels, but do not turn the eggs during the hatching process.
Remove the chicks: When the chicks have fully hatched, remove them from the incubator and place them in a brooder with a heat source and access to food and water.
Remember to always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your specific incubator and keep the incubator clean and sanitized to reduce the risk of contamination.
Importance of humidity in incubation: Humidity plays a crucial role in the incubation process, as it affects the development of the embryo and the hatching success rate.
Ideal humidity levels: The ideal humidity level during incubation varies depending on the stage of incubation, but it is generally recommended to maintain a relative humidity of around 50-60% during the first half of incubation and increase it to 65-75% during the second half.
Methods of measuring humidity: There are various methods of measuring humidity, including hygrometers, thermohygrometers, and relative humidity sensors.
Methods of controlling humidity: There are several methods of controlling humidity, including adding water to the incubator, adjusting ventilation, and using a humidity control system.
Humidity during hatching: The humidity level during hatching is also important, and it is recommended to maintain a relative humidity of around 70-80% to ensure successful hatching.
Importance of maintaining consistent humidity levels: Maintaining consistent humidity levels is important for the success of incubation and hatching, as fluctuations in humidity can negatively affect the development of the embryos.
Monitoring humidity levels: Regular monitoring of humidity levels is essential to ensure that they remain within the ideal range.
Adjusting humidity levels: If necessary, the humidity level should be adjusted to ensure that it remains within the ideal range, taking into consideration the stage of incubation and the hatching requirements.
You can ruin a perfectly good egg by improper care. Each egg lost is costly since it represents one less bird for sale.
Observing the following tips will help you get better quality eggs:
Collect eggs twice daily and three times daily if they are exposed to high temperatures.
Store the eggs with the small pointed end down. If eggs are held more than 3 or 4 days before setting, turn them at least twice daily. Tilt to an opposite slant each time to an approximate 45º angle to prevent yolk from sticking to the shell membrane.
Transfer eggs to a cool-humid storage area. Temperature of the storage area should be 55ºF with a relative humidity of 75 percent. Do not use a standard air conditioner
Quail Eggs
(as used in your home) for cooling the eggs. This type conditioner removes moisture from the air; the idea is to add moisture to the air. The egg is mostly water; take away this moisture, and the egg is worthless.
Do not wash dirty eggs or wipe clean with a damp cloth, or you will remove the natural protective coating of the egg and leave it exposed to entry by germs and other organisms. Some discard dirty eggs; however, moderately dirty eggs may be
salvaged with some work and care. Remove excessive dirt and dry matter by scraping with a sharp blade. Do not use sandpaper as this reduces the integrity of the shell.
Holding eggs longer than 10 days in storage affects hatchability. Therefore, plan your incubation program so eggs are not stored longer than 10 days. Planning ahead saves headaches, frustrations, and money.
Before placing cool, stored eggs into the incubator, allow them to warm to room temperature. Otherwise, the shock of going from 55ºF to 100ºF can cause sweating and may reduce hatchability.
Incubation
Improper adjustment of the incubator and careless egg incubation can ruin all plans. The following pointers may serve as reminders of correct incubation procedures:
Determine the size and type incubator needed for your future quail business. Game bird equipment suppliers can furnish you with capacities and capabilities of various (more…)
1. At the age of six- weeks , female Quails usually weight ‘’ 175- 200 gms.’’ And the males weight about ‘’125-150 gm.’’
2. Females start laying eggs at 7 –weeks of age and continue upto 22-weeksof age
3. Usually egg laying happens during the evening time of the day .
4. The Quails egg usually weight about ‘’ 9 to 10 gm.,and also goes to 12gm. With properly nutrition- care.
5. The breast of the male is usually narrow , and covered with equally distribute brown and white feathers. But the female quail has a broad breast covered with brown feathers with black- dots.
6. The male and female quails should be separated at the age of 4- weeks .
7. Sixteen hours of light perday should be available to the egg laying Quails . (more…)
It is best to have your machine running for at least 1 to 2 days prior to setting your eggs. This will ensure that your temperature and humidity are exactly where they should be prior to putting the eggs in. Above is a chart showing the recommended incubation temperature and humidity for bobwhite quail eggs.
Your eggs are incubator ready, there is no need to wash the eggs.
Always have clean hands when handling the eggs as your skin produces oil and can clog the pores of the shell.
Always set your eggs with the big end up. This enables the embryo to remain oriented in a proper position for hatching.
Eggs must be turned during incubation at least 2 -4 times per day.
Do not turn eggs during the last 3 days before hatching.
The air vents should be almost fully open during the latter stages of hatching. (more…)
