Reproduction & Incubation

Reproduction in birds is a process that functions very efficiently in the natural world, but requires careful attention if artificial incubation is practiced. A well designed incubator is essential if good hatchability is expected.

Proper care of the breeder birds and careful collection and storage of the fertile hatching eggs will dramatically improve the chances for a successful hatch. The incubation environment must also be carefully controlled throughout the incubation process.

Successful incubation of eggs by the inexperienced poultryman can be accomplished if temperature, humidity, ventilation and turning of eggs are correctly conducted. The recommendations discussed in the following publications and discussions can help the amateur or experienced hatchery person obtain excellent results.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How do I get hens to start setting on hatching eggs?
• If a chicken is hatched in an incubator, when it starts laying will it set on a nest?
• How long must roosters and hens be kept together before fertile eggs are produced?
• How long do hens produce fertile eggs after being separated from the rooster?
• Should I wash dirty hatching eggs before I incubate them?
• How long can I store fertile hatching eggs before they must be incubated?
• How do I properly fumigate to sanitize my hatching eggs and incubator?
• What are the best methods to follow for sanitizing eggs and incubators to reduce bacterial infections?
• How long does it take to hatch various species of birds?
• At what temperature must eggs be held during incubation?
• When incubating eggs, what environment conditions must I carefully control?
• Why do my chicks die in the egg after they pip or break the shell?
• How soon after hatching should I remove chicks from the incubator?
• I had a poor hatch of eggs, what did I do wrong?
• How does a chick embryo develop?
• Can I determine whether an egg has a living embryo in it earlier than the hatch date?
• What are the parts of a hatching egg and how are they formed?
• How can I make an egg incubator?

Other Information

• Troubleshooting Incubation Failures consists of diagnoses for problems encountered while incubating eggs. Included with the symptoms are causes and corrective measures to take.
• Sanitation - Cleaning and Disinfectants addresses the concerns and procedures for maintaining a sanitary and low- disease environment in the hatchery and other poultry facilities.
• General Characteristics of Disinfectants is a discussion of the advantages/disadvantages of the major disinfectant groups.