Hatchery Poultry Farming

1. HatcheryFarming

2. Hatchery Farming • Hatching eggs is a vital step in the poultry industry. • The process of hatching eggs is known as incubation. • Egg-laying birds incubate their eggs by sitting on them till they are ready for hatching. • Hatching refers to the development of the embryo within the egg under favorable environmental conditions. • Multiple factors are involved in hatching eggs. It is vital to consider all of them for successfully hatching eggs.

3. Hatcheries For Hatching Eggs • Hatcheries are available for the commercial production of eggs. • A hatchery is a unit with artificially controlled conditions for hatching eggs. • Hatching eggs in poultry farming is a multi-billion dollar industry with highly regulated production systems for maximum egg production in comparison to feeding consumed. • The eggs produced through hatcheries are usually uniform in size.

4. Hatching Eggs-How Is It Done? The process of hatching eggs can be divided into three main steps. They are as follows: • Selecting The Eggs • Maintaining The Eggs • Hatching Eggs

5. Selecting The Eggs • After the birds lay eggs, checking the eggshells for crack before putting them into the incubators is needed to determine their soundness.

6. Maintaining The Eggs •  Incubators control temperature and humidity. • The eggs undergo turning in the incubators until just before they hatch. • They are then moved into a hatcher unit three days before they are supposed to hatch.

7. Hatching Eggs • Once in the hatchery unit, the eggs are no longer turned so that the embryos get time to orient themselves properly for exiting from the shell. • The eggs hatch during a period ranging from 24 to 48 hours. • The time depends on their biological variation. • This period is commonly known as the hatching window.

8. Vaccination, Care, And Transport After Hatching Eggs • Chicks are often vaccinated once they are a few weeks old. • They first receive feed and water. • The chicks require warmth and protection till they are ready for transport. • Eggs are carefully placed in crates for transport. • The crates must be clean, disinfected. • They grow in barns until they become broiler chickens suitable for the market.

9. Criteria For Selecting Eggs For Hatching • Eggs suitable for hatching require careful selection. The following parameters help to determine the eggs likely to hatch well. • Fertility • Egg quality • Egg size and shape • Eggshell • Deformity • Soiled egg • Storage

10. Fertility • Eggs collected from well-matured hens after 5- 7 days of mating are suitable for hatching. • It is best to collect eggs within two days of separating the cock to be fertile • . Collecting the eggs immediately after letting the cock in for mating may not give eggs fertile enough for hatching. • Similarly, those collected long after the separation of the cock may be infertile.

11. Egg Size And Shape • The size of the eggs is a significant factor for hatching. • The size of the chick hatched depends highly on the size of the egg. • The eggs should be neither too big nor too small. • The appropriate size and shape of the eggs vary depending upon the breed. • It is desirable to select eggs that are about 58 g. Eggs of uniform size and oval shape are ideal for hatching.

12. Eggshell • The eggshell should be of uniform thickness. • The texture and Colour of the shells must be consistent so that there is a steady spread of warmth during incubation. • The eggs for incubation should be free from tints if the eggs have white shells. • Light brown coloured eggs hatch better than dark brown eggs in the case of brown shelled eggs.

13. Egg Quality • Eggs should not be stale. • They should be fresh and collected as early as possible after laying. • Collecting the eggs within a week of laying is acceptable. • Eggs laid on the day of the setting are not advisable to be set until they attain the room temperature before setting. • Eggs of 2- 4 days old are the best.

14. Deformity • Eggs with ridges, encrustations, projections, and other deformities such as depressions, cracks, or stains are best to avoid. • These kinds of deformities adversely affect the chances of hatching eggs. • They may not retain a uniform temperature for the embryo to develop. • Also, the chick will face difficulty in chipping with its tender beak and come out if the shell is very thick. • Thus, eggs with very thin or thick shells are not apt for hatching eggs.

15. Soiled Egg • Hatchers must not clean soiled eggs in water before setting. • Washing with water opens up the pores. • Washing will affect hatching eggs. • If the dirt is minimal, removing it with a knife is the best practice. • Hatchers should ward off highly soiled eggs.

16. Storage • Eggs collected for setting must be kept in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated place. • It is critical to not keep eggs for more than three days during hot weather. • In winter or areas with low temperatures, hatchers can keep them for up to 10 days. • Eggs absorb odor very quickly. • Thus, it is not preferable to store them near smelly substances like onion, garlic, kerosene, etc. • Eggs, if shaken very much during transportation are not favourable for hatching.

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