P1182 Hatching Quality Chicks
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Hatching Quality Chicks Incubating and hatching domestic fowl 1. the ability of parents to produce fer- eggs is popular among people who have a tile eggs that hatch into strong, small flock for eggs and meat and hobby- healthy chicks, ists with ornamental and “fancy” birds. and These people benefit largely from the 2. genetic traits that can improve desir- refinements in egg incubation developed able traits or performance in offspring. by commercial hatchery operators. The fundamental techniques of incubation This publication deals with the first basis remain the same, whether you are hatch- of selection. ing millions of birds per year as a com- Selecting for genetic traits requires mercial hatchery owner or a dozen chicks much training before continued improve- as a backyard enthusiast. ment can be expected. A breeder bird must This publication is designed to intro- not have a deformed beak, slipped wing, duce the beginning hatchery person to the blindness in one or both eyes, or any types of incubators and their operation for defect that may interfere with normal eat- the hatching of chicken, turkey, waterfowl, ing, drinking, and maintaining social game bird, and peafowl eggs. This publi- stature in the flock. Male birds must be cation is directed at the incubation of aggressive and have straight, sound legs chicken eggs, but the basic principles are and toes. Females should reflect good egg the same for eggs of all domestic fowl. The laying traits and good health and vigor. changes in incubation procedures, when Any of four mating systems can be appropriate, are listed. used to produce hatching eggs: 1. mass mating Breeder Flock Management 2. pen mating Proper management of the breeder flock is 3. stud mating essential to produce good hatching eggs. 4. artificial insemination The vigor and health of a chick depends largely on the care of its parents before the Mass mating means several males are egg is laid. All birds in the breeder flock allowed to run with a flock of females. This should be reared with proper manage- method, used to obtain the maximum num- ment practices. Information on brooding ber of hatching eggs, is the most common and managing flock replacements and method of mating used in poultry flocks. breeders is in Extension Publication 268 Pen mating is mating a pen or small The Home Flock. flock of females with a single male. Use Birds in the breeding flock should be this system when you must know the healthy and free of physical shortcomings ancestry of each chick. Use it, too, in a that can interfere with proper mating and small flock in which more than one male egg production. The potential parent birds is not necessary. must be able to produce fertile hatching Stud mating consists of mating one eggs before chick quality can be improved. female with a male in a single pen or The phrase “selection as used in coop. The females may be kept together breeding” refers to choosing parents for but still be mated to different males. It is the next generation. Base selection on— possible to mate more females to a single superior male. Artificial insemination makes it possible to market late among the eggs. Remove eggs from the cases for birds of vastly different sizes. Artificial insemination good air circulation. also makes it possible to mate birds that would nor- Formaldehyde gas is produced by mixing 0.6 mally never mate. This method is used in unusual sit- gram of potassium permanganate (KmnO4) with 1.2 cc uations where other methods are impractical. of formalin (37.5 percent formaldehyde) for each cubic Provide the breeder flock with proper nesting foot of space in the fumigating structure. Mix the facilities. Fill the nests with plenty of clean nesting ingredients in an earthenware or enamelware contain- material to prevent breaking or contaminating er with a capacity at least 10 times the total volume of eggshells with dirt, manure, or other disease-transmit- the ingredients. ting substances. Follow good sanitation and vaccina- Circulate the gas within the structure for 20 min- tion programs to control disease and pest problems. utes and then expel the gas. The temperature during Provide ample drinker and feeder space and plen- fumigation should be above 70 °F. Allow eggs to air ty of clean, fresh water and feed. Feed a scientifically out for several hours before placing them in cases. formulated “complete” breeder ration to ensure prop- er nutrition and quality hatching eggs. Hatching Egg Storage It may not be practical to place the eggs in an incuba- Selection and Care of Eggs tor immediately after collection. If you hold eggs for Collect the eggs at least once daily, more often when several days, keep them in a cool, humid room. The daily high temperatures are above 85–90 °F. best storage conditions are near 60 °F and 75 percent Commercial hatching eggs may be collected as often as humidity. Hatchability will be reduced if the tempera- four or five times daily to ensure egg quality. Keep ture drops below 40 °F. The cool temperature delays nest eggs separate from eggs found on the floor so dis- embryonic growth until incubation begins, and the ease organisms are not spread. Do not incubate dirty high humidity prevents moisture loss. floor eggs; they may spread disease to clean eggs. Humidity is best measured with a device called a Check the eggs for cleanliness soon after collec- psychrometer. The table shows the relationship tion. Save eggs free of clinging dirt or debris and those between wet bulb readings and relative humidity at with a small amount of adhering dirt that can be easily storage temperatures. removed. Never save dirty eggs for incubation. They can spread disease to other eggs and chicks. Table 1. Wet bulb reading for storage Never wash hatching eggs. Bacteria may be forced temperatures (° F). through the porous shell and into the egg. Washing also removes the protective sealing substance from the shell, Relative Humidity 55 60 65 70 leaving it vulnerable to penetration by other bacteria. Incubate only eggs of average size. Excessively 55 47.2 51.4 55.5 60.0 large eggs hatch poorly; small eggs hatch into small, 60 48.1 52.4 56.7 61.2 65 49.0 53.4 57.8 62.3 unthrifty chicks. Do not incubate abnormally shaped 70 50.0 54.4 59.0 63.5 eggs; they probably will not hatch. 75 50.9 55.4 60.0 64.6 Discard all cracked or thin-shelled eggs. These 80 51.7 56.4 61.0 65.8 eggs do not keep the moisture needed for proper chick development. Penetration by disease-causing organ- Incubate eggs as soon as it is convenient. The isms increases in cracked eggs. hatchability of eggs stored for fewer than 7–10 days Discard eggs with loose or bubbly air cells. remains high with proper storage conditions. Eggs held longer experience reduced hatches. After 3 weeks Fumigation of storage, the hatchability is near 0 percent. If the eggs are not incubated within 3 or 4 days, Sanitize eggs and equipment before storage or use by turn them daily. Turning the eggs prevents the yolks fumigating. Under-fumigation does not kill the bacte- from touching the shell and injuring the embryo. Store ria, but over-fumigation can kill the chick embryo in the eggs with small ends down and slanted at an angle the egg. Use recommended amounts of chemicals at of 30–45 degrees. Large numbers of eggs can be stored the right time for the length of time specified. in egg flats and cases with one end of the case elevated A room or cabinet large enough to hold the eggs is to give the proper slant. Turn the eggs by elevating required. It must be relatively airtight and equipped alternate ends of the case or flat each day. with a small fan to circulate the gas. Calculate the The eggs should warm slowly before being placed inside volume of the structure by multiplying the in the incubator. The shock of warming the eggs too inside length by the width by the height. rapidly will cause moisture to condense on the shell. Stack the eggs inside the room or cabinet on wire This may lead to disease problems. racks, in wire baskets, or on egg flats so air can circu- Incubators Start the clean, sanitary incubator 1 or 2 days before Fairly constant environmental conditions can be main- the eggs are set. Use the extra time to adjust the temper- tained in an incubator. Incubators are available in ature, humidity, and airflow. If you have no recommen- many different models and sizes with capacities rang- dations for your unit, use those in this publication. ing from two to thousands of eggs. The larger incubators are rooms in which environ- Temperature mental conditions are carefully controlled. There are Adjust the temperature to 100 °F in forced-air incuba- two basic types of incubators: forced-air and still-air tors and 102 °F in still-air incubators. The temperature incubators. The size and type of incubator selected in the hatching unit during the last 3 days may be 1 depends on your needs and future plans. degree less than the incubating temperature. Forced-air incubators have internal fans to circu- In still-air incubators, locate the thermometer bulb late the air. Eggs are placed in stacks of trays. The about 1 inch above the screen floor. The thermometer capacity of these incubators is large. Most units have must not touch the eggs or side of the incubator.