What are the precautions for hatching chicks?
Chick hatching technology is now quite advanced, and machine hatching has become possible. However, machine hatching is not the same as natural hatching, and some aspects still need to be controlled manually. Below, let's learn what to pay attention to when hatching chicks.
1. Constant temperature in the incubation room
The first thing is indoor temperature control, which is a very important factor. To maintain a high hatch rate, the temperature of the incubation room should be controlled above 25°C, but not exceed 28°C, and should be relatively constant. All of this is to keep the eggs developing at a constant temperature and avoid temperature fluctuations that cause problems with the embryos and prevent hatching. Therefore, the heating and insulation equipment in the incubation room must be well equipped, and especially the temperature control should be able to adjust in a timely manner.
2. Turning the eggs
The principle of turning the eggs is very simple: to make the eggs receive heat more evenly, so that all parts of the embryo are evenly warmed. Because hatching methods differ from place to place, egg turning should also vary. If using automated machines, the eggs can be turned completely about every 4 turns, with intervals of 1.5-2 hours. If using other hatching methods, then control it at once every 3 hours, and a complete turn can be done every 3 times.
3. Cooling down
To maintain the incubation body temperature, the temperature is generally controlled at around 38°C. In the middle and later stages, after the embryos have formed, care should be taken not to keep hatching at a constant high temperature. After the embryos form, the eggs become able to sense temperature, so at this time, to avoid the eggs failing to hatch due to overheating, cooling is needed. Cooling here means stopping heating and letting them cool naturally; once the temperature reaches around 33°C, incubation can continue. This starts 2 weeks after incubation begins, 2-3 times a day is enough.
4. Ventilation
Ventilation is to maintain the humidity and fresh air in the incubation room. From the beginning of incubation, the eggs gradually need oxygen as well. If they remain sealed and unventilated for a long time, the eggs will also have difficulty hatching. The vents must not face the incubating eggs directly, and must not be in a draft, to avoid outside wind affecting the hatching results. Humidity only needs to fluctuate around 70%.
Hatching chicks is relatively simple now, and no longer needs to be like before. So everyone has more time to inspect the incubation room, and farmers need to pay more attention to some detailed issues in order to hatch high-quality chicks.