Objective: Ensure your incubator is clean and free from contaminants that could harm the eggs.
Instructions:
Mix a 25% bleach solution with water.
Use a damp rag to gently clean the incubator.
Avoid using harsh cleaning products with ammonia.
Pro Tip: Focus on all interior surfaces and trays where the eggs will be placed.
Step 2: Set Up Your Incubator Two Days Before Arrival of the Eggs
Objective: Find the ideal location for your incubator to ensure a stable environment.
Instructions:
Place the incubator at least 6 inches away from edges to prevent accidents.
Keep it out of direct sunlight and away from drafts.
Ensure the surrounding area maintains at least 25°C.
Place on a sturdy, level surface.
Connect to a reliable electrical outlet that remains on.
Pro Tip: Regularly check the surrounding environment for any changes in temperature or airflow.
Step 3: Ensure Correct Temperature and Humidity
Objective: Set the ideal conditions inside the incubator for egg development.
Instructions:
For forced air incubators: Maintain a temperature between 37.5 – 38.0°C.
For still air incubators: Keep a temperature of 38.0 -38.5°C.
Adjust the humidity to at least 60%.
Pro Tip: Use a reliable thermometer and hygrometer to monitor these conditions.
Step 4: Leave the Incubator On
Objective: Stabilize the incubator’s internal environment before the eggs arrive.
Instructions: Keep the incubator running to ensure it reaches and maintains the set temperature and humidity.
Pro Tip: Check the incubator several times a day to monitor stability.
Step 5: Plan for Continuous Egg Care
Objective: Arrange for consistent monitoring and care of the eggs, especially during weekends.
Instructions: Designate a responsible person to care for the eggs during weekends or in your absence.
Pro Tip: Create a care schedule or checklist to ensure no step is missed.
By following these steps, you’ll create the optimal environment for your eggs to develop and hatch successfully. Remember, consistency and attention to detail are key in the incubation process.
In Kenya, the ideal temperature for an egg incubator largely depends on the type of eggs being incubated and the specific climate conditions in the area. Generally, for most bird eggs, including chicken eggs, the recommended incubation temperature is around 37.5 to 38 degrees Celsius (99.5 to 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit). This range is crucial for proper embryonic development.
However, it’s important to consider the local climate conditions in Kenya, which can vary significantly across the country. In areas with higher temperatures and humidity, incubators might need adjustments to maintain the optimal internal environment. It’s also essential to maintain a consistent humidity level inside the incubator, typically between 40% to 50% for the majority of the incubation period, and then increasing it to about 65% during the final days before hatching.
Province/Region
Counties
Average Temperature (°C)
Average Humidity (%)
Central
Kiambu, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Murang’a, Nyandarua
20
75
Coast
Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi, Tana River, Lamu, Taita-Taveta
Embarking on poultry farming in Kenya? One key tool you’ll need is an egg incubator. With a variety of types and prices available, it’s crucial to understand your options. This comprehensive guide covers the types of egg incubators available in Kenya, their prices, and quality, to help you make an informed decision.
1. Types of Egg Incubators Available in Kenya
In Kenya, egg incubators come in various types, each suited for different needs and scales of poultry farming. From small, manually operated models to large, automated systems, the choice depends on your operation’s size and budget. Here, we’ll explore the most common types and how they fit different farming needs.
2. Ecochicks Incubators: A Popular Choice
Ecochicks incubators are renowned for their reliability and efficiency. These incubators are designed to cater to both small-scale and commercial poultry farmers, offering various capacities and features.
3. Prices of Egg Incubators in Kenya
The prices of egg incubators in Kenya vary widely based on their type, capacity, and features. From the most affordable models to high-end ones, we’ll provide an overview of the price range you can expect, helping you budget accordingly.
4. 30 Eggs Incubator: A Compact and Affordable Option
For small-scale farmers, a 30 eggs incubator is often a popular choice. It’s compact and more affordable, making it an excellent start for beginners. We’ll discuss the price range for these models in the Kenyan market.
5. Cheapest Incubator in Kenya
While cost is a significant factor, it’s important to balance affordability with quality. We’ll highlight the cheapest incubators available in Kenya, discussing their features and suitability for your farming needs.
6. Best Quality Egg Incubators in Kenya
Quality is key when it comes to egg incubators. We’ll delve into what makes an incubator “the best quality” in terms of durability, hatch rate, and user-friendliness, and recommend some top models available in Kenya.
Conclusion
Understanding the types of egg incubators available in Kenya, their prices, and quality is essential for successful poultry farming. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to expand, this guide aims to provide you with the information needed to choose the right incubator for your poultry venture.
Downloadable Resource
For a detailed look at this guide, download our PDF: “Types of Egg Incubators Available in Kenya – A Detailed Guide.” This resource provides additional insights, including a comprehensive price list and more in-depth reviews of each incubator type.
Name
Capacity (Eggs)
Description
Price Range
Compact Starter Incubator
56-64
Small-scale, basic incubators ideal for hobbyists or educational purposes. Features may include semi-automatic turning and basic temperature control.
KES 5,000 – 10,000
Small Farm Incubator
60-128
Suitable for small poultry farms, offering a balance of capacity and user-friendly features like automatic temperature and manual egg turning.
KES 10,000 – 20,000
Medium Capacity Incubator
192-300
Designed for mid-sized poultry operations, these incubators often have semi-automatic or fully automatic features, improving efficiency.
KES 20,000 – 40,000
Large Scale Incubator
528-1056
High-capacity incubators for large-scale poultry farms, featuring full automation, including temperature, humidity control, and egg turning.
KES 50,000 – 80,000
Industrial Incubator
1500-2112
For industrial-scale poultry operations, offering the largest capacity, advanced automation, and optimized for high efficiency and reliability.
KES 80,000 – 150,000
Q&A for Egg Incubators
Q1: What is the best incubator for someone just starting with poultry farming? A1: The “Compact Starter Incubator” with a capacity of 56-64 eggs is ideal for beginners. It’s affordable and has basic features like semi-automatic turning and temperature control, making it user-friendly for newcomers.
Q2: I have a small farm. Which incubator would you recommend? A2: The “Small Farm Incubator” with a capacity of 60-128 eggs is suitable for small farms. It balances capacity with ease of use and offers features like automatic temperature control and manual egg turning.
Q3: What features do the “Medium Capacity Incubators” offer? A3: Designed for mid-sized operations, these incubators (192-300 eggs) often include semi-automatic or fully automatic features for efficiency, with improved temperature and humidity control.
Q4: I run a large poultry farm. Which incubator is best for high-volume hatching? A4: The “Large Scale Incubator” (528-1056 eggs) is perfect for large-scale operations, providing full automation, including advanced temperature, humidity control, and automatic egg turning.
Q5: What are the advantages of the “Industrial Incubator”? A5: With a capacity of 1500-2112 eggs, these incubators are designed for industrial-scale operations. They offer the largest capacity, with advanced automation features and are optimized for high efficiency and reliability.
Q6: Are these incubators suitable for different types of poultry eggs? A6: Yes, most of these incubators can be used for various types of poultry eggs, including chicken, duck, and quail. However, it’s important to check with the manufacturer for specific egg type compatibility.
Q7: How important is automatic egg turning in an incubator? A7: Automatic egg turning is crucial for consistent heat distribution and preventing the yolk from settling. Incubators with this feature save time and increase hatch rates, especially important for larger capacities.
If you’re a poultry farmer or backyard chicken keeper, you know that hatching eggs can be a challenge. It takes a lot of time, effort, and attention to detail to get the hatching process right. That’s where automatic incubators come in.
Automatic incubators make hatching eggs easy and hassle-free. They automatically turn the eggs, control the temperature and humidity, and even alert you when the eggs are hatching. This frees up your time so you can focus on other things, like taking care of your chickens or running your farm.
Types of Automatic Incubators:
There are two main types of automatic incubators: digital and analog. Digital incubators have a digital display that shows the temperature and humidity levels. This makes it easy to monitor the hatching process and make sure the conditions are ideal. Analog incubators have a dial or gauge that shows the temperature and humidity levels. They’re not as precise as digital incubators, but they’re still a good option if you’re on a budget.
Features to Look for:
When you’re shopping for an automatic incubator, there are a few features you’ll want to look for:
Capacity: The capacity of the incubator will determine how many eggs you can hatch at once. If you’re only hatching a few eggs, you can get away with a smaller incubator. But if you’re hatching a large number of eggs, you’ll need a larger incubator.
Temperature control: The temperature of the incubator is critical to the hatching process. The temperature needs to be kept within a certain range for the eggs to hatch. Make sure the incubator you choose has a reliable temperature control system.
Humidity control: Humidity is also important for hatching eggs. The humidity level needs to be kept within a certain range for the eggs to hatch. Make sure the incubator you choose has a reliable humidity control system.
Turning system: The turning system is what turns the eggs in the incubator. This is important to prevent the eggs from sticking together and to ensure that all sides of the eggs are exposed to the heat and humidity. Make sure the turning system on the incubator you choose is reliable and easy to use.
Hatch alarm: A hatch alarm will alert you when the eggs are hatching. This is a helpful feature because it allows you to be there when the chicks hatch.
There are a few places where you can buy an automatic incubator in Kenya. You can find them at poultry supply stores, online retailers, and even some hardware stores.
Conclusion:
Automatic incubators are a great way to hatch eggs easily and hassle-free. If you’re looking to buy an automatic incubator in Kenya, be sure to keep the factors mentioned above in mind. With a little research, you’ll be sure to find the perfect incubator for your needs.
Additional Tips:
Read reviews before you buy. This is a great way to get an idea of what other people think of the incubator you’re considering.
Ask for recommendations from other poultry farmers or backyard chicken keepers. They may be able to recommend a specific incubator that they’ve had good experiences with.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions. The staff at poultry supply stores or online retailers should be able to answer any questions you have about automatic incubators.
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128 Eggs Incubator Automatic Turning Eggs Hatching Machine with Temperature & Humidity Control for Hatching Chicken Goose DuckKSh20,000.00
