How to hatch chicks? Detailed explanation of incubation methods and technical key points

The 5 conditions required for incubation:

(1) Temperature: Temperature is an important condition for embryonic development. Embryos can still develop at temperatures of 32-40 degrees. The principle of temperature application is high in the early stage, level in the middle stage, and low in the late stage. For all-in-all-out incubation, 1-7 days is the early stage, using a temperature of 38-38.5 degrees; 8-14 days is the middle stage, using a temperature of 37.5-38 degrees; 15-21 days is the late stage, using a temperature of 37-37.5 degrees. If multiple batches of hatching eggs are incubated simultaneously in the machine, a constant temperature of 37.8 degrees can be used; 15-21 days is the late stage, using a temperature of 37---37.5 degrees. If multiple batches of hatching eggs are incubated simultaneously in the machine, a constant temperature of 37.8 degrees can be used. At 21 days, the temperature can be appropriately increased to help the chicks hatch smoothly. ① Effect of high temperature on embryonic development: High temperature shortens the incubation period and increases mortality. Embryos will die after 2-3 hours at 42 degrees; ② Effect of low temperature on embryonic development: Low temperature can prolong the incubation period and increase mortality. At low temperatures below 36 degrees, after more than one day, it will cause incomplete embryonic development, and most will die in the shell before hatching.

(2) Humidity: Embryonic development has a relatively wide range of humidity adaptation. Generally between 50%-70%, 1-7 days is the early stage, and the relative humidity should be 60%. 8-17 days is the middle stage, and the relative humidity should be 50%. At 18-21 days, it is the late stage, and the relative humidity is 70%. This is because amniotic fluid needs to be generated in the early stage, urine needs to be excreted in the middle stage, and it is beneficial for hatching in the late stage. ① Effect of high humidity on embryonic development: It affects the discharge of the allantoic fluid, causing the chick down to be too long and the belly to be large, making the chick appear clumsy and sluggish. ② Effect of low humidity on embryonic development: It causes excessive evaporation of water in the egg, resulting in chicks with small bodies and short down.

(3) Ventilation: Good ventilation conditions can supply the embryo with sufficient oxygen while expelling carbon dioxide, ensuring embryonic gas metabolism and physiological functions. If ventilation is poor, malpositioned and deformed embryos will appear. They may even die. In the early stage of incubation, because material metabolism is low, oxygen demand is low; in the late stage, metabolism is vigorous, and oxygen demand is high. After 19 days, the embryo begins to breathe with its lungs, and the demand increases even more. ① When warmth preservation and ventilation conflict, warmth preservation should be satisfied first, and then ventilation should be considered. ② Prevent carbon dioxide poisoning; the specific gravity of sulfur dioxide is lower than that of air, so it is in the upper part of the incubation room. To prevent poisoning, a small hole should be left in the ceiling of the incubation room.

(4) Turning eggs: The main function of turning eggs is to prevent the embryo from adhering to the egg membrane. The yolk is lighter than the egg white, and the embryo is even lighter than the yolk. The embryo is often in contact with the egg membrane. When the eggs are turned, the position of the egg changes, and the contact point between the embryo and the egg membrane also changes accordingly, thus preventing the embryo from adhering to the egg membrane. Frequency of turning eggs: turn eggs once every one and a half hours. After seventeen days, there is no need to turn the eggs, and the hatching eggs are moved to the hatching area.

(5) Cooling eggs: The main function of cooling eggs is to dissipate excess physiological heat inside the eggs and provide sufficient oxygen to the embryos, preventing overheating accidents and embryos suffocating from lack of oxygen. From 1 to 7 days of incubation, no cooling is needed; from 8 to 12 days, cool once a day for 15 minutes each time. From 13 to 17 days, cool twice a day for 20 minutes each time. From 18 to 21 days, cool once every 4 to 6 hours for 15 to 20 minutes each time. Method of cooling eggs: open the front door, turn the eggs once during cooling, and cooling can also be combined with tray adjustment.