Preliminary studies on A.C/D.C heat source cum kerosene lantern for egg incubation

Abstract

The study was initiated to determine the possibility of using a.c/d.c heat source to power table incubators for domestic and small scale production of chicks. A low cost electrical incubator with a capacity for 60 eggs was designed and used for the study. The incubator was provided with a kerosene lantern to supplement the a.c/d.c heat source during prolonged power failure, with the combustion products from the lantern prevented from having contact with eggs. The incubator was equally provided with a fan to assist air circulation. Three tests were conducted. The temperature and relative humidity in the incubator during the tests were found to be adequate and within the recommended limits. The actual percentage hatchability in the incubator was relatively low with a maximum record of 18.75%. it was found that the embryos in the fertilized but unhatched eggs actually developed but died in shell within the 18th and 21st day of incubation. It was also found that almost all the embryos that died were fully developed when the shells were broken after the incubation period. Preventing such occurrences would improve the hatchability result of the incubator. This could be achieved by improving the ventilation in the incubator and improving on the present design.