High EST during wk 3 of incubation (38.9☌ instead of 37.8☌) reduced DT only in batch 2. DT differed per batch, and was smallest when eggs were incubated at 36.7☌ instead of 37.8☌ during wk 1. The difference between machine temperature and EST (DT) was used to illustrate the effect of EST on heat production during incubation. Posthatch housing temperature decreased from 35☌ at d 1 to 30☌ at d 7 (high) or decreased from 30☌ at d 1 to 25☌ at d 7 (low). Hatching eggs were subjected to 36.7 or 37.8☌ EST during the first week, to 37.8☌ EST during the second week, and to 37.8 or 38.9☌ EST during the third week of incubation. Two batches of eggs were used in this experiment. Furthermore, chicks from different EST profiles were reared under low and high housing temperatures to investigate subsequent posthatch growth and rectal temperature. A mobile application is integrated with the incubator for the communication of important information to the poultry farmer.Īn experiment was conducted to study the effects of different eggshell temperature (EST) profiles during incubation on embryo mortality, hatchability, and embryo development. These values are sent to a microcontroller which then coordinates other parts of the incubator to execute automated tasks. Temperature and humidity sensors are used to read temperature and humidity values inside the incubator respectively. These conditions: Ventilation, Temperature, Relative Humidity, regular positioning, and eggs turnings are kept at their optimal values to efficiently increase the hatchability rate. It is aimed at designing a low-cost smart incubator to ensure the maintenance of the optimum environmental conditions necessary for hatching eggs. This project investigates the design and implementation of an affordable, automated incubator for local poultry farmers. Although this has helped in large-scale incubation, incubators in the market are very expensive which makes Ghanaian poultry farmers find it difficult to purchase. Artificial means of solving this problem have brought about the invention of the incubator. Relying on natural means of hatching eggs to increase poultry production is inefficient thus the need for technologies that will aid in maximizing the yield. Because of this high demand, the problem necessitates efforts to maximize the yield of poultry production in the country.

Poultry is one of the most consumed agricultural produce in Ghana. The result of the test revealed the following average values- fertile eggs 95, infertile eggs 5, hatched eggs 85 and hatchability of 89.47% was achieved. 100 fresh, healthy, well developed and matured eggs were used to test the incubator. The trays were lifted through an angle of 40° either side of horizontal at every hour and lasted for four minutes. Turning of eggs was achieved with the use of tilting trays mechanism controlled by a programmed electric motor. Factors that were considered during the performance evaluation of the incubator were humidity, 55% and temperature, 37° C during the first 18 days and were maintained at 37.5 ☌ till hatching. The incubator has the hatching capacity of 100 eggs. The aim of this research was to produce a low cost user friendly modern incubator to increase the production of day old chicks for small and medium scale poultry farmers. This paper demonstrated the design, construction and performance evaluation of automated eggs incubator for poultry farmers.

Automatic egg incubator instructions