Semi-Automatic Incubator for artificial hatching

Hatching Success, One Chick at a Time

The Artificial hatching technology involve a semi-automatic incubator that reproduces the natural incubation process on a larger scale. They are designed to accommodate 50 to 150 eggs at a time. They can be heated using kerosene or a battery-powered light bulb, offering an alternative to mains electricity.

This technology is TAAT1 validated.

8•8

Scaling readiness: idea maturity 8/9; level of use 8/9

Cost: $$$ 100—200 USD

Incubators

ROI: $$$ 20 %

per cycle

150 USD

64-egg manual solar unit

200 USD

fully automated 96 egg unit

500 USD

Hatchery start up requirement

IP

Open source / open access

Problem

The technology of artificial hatching in semi-automatic incubators provides innovative solutions to several key challenges in poultry farming :

Limitation of natural incubation in producing chicks, with a capacity of only 10-12 chicks per hatch.
Difficulty in rapidly scaling up the production of new poultry breeds and ensuring a reliable supply of young birds to expand poultry farming.
High space and production costs, which are key factors in achieving profitability in a poultry farming enterprise.
Difficulty in responding quickly to the demand for chicks.
Risk of the spread of parasites and diseases in the natural incubation process.

Solution

This technology addresses these challenges by offering solutions that benefit both the poultry industry and individual farmers:

The ability to raise day-old chicks (DOCs) in just 21 days, compared to the 21 days required for natural incubation.
High success rate of 85-90% in artificial incubation, increasing production efficiency.
Space and production cost savings through semi-automatic incubators.
The capacity to produce a large number of chicks in a short time in response to market demand.
Reduced risk of the spread of parasites and diseases in the artificial incubation process.
Improved supply of chicks, stimulating the consumption of eggs and poultry meat and increasing the income of poultry farmers.

Key points to design your business plan

This technology is beneficial for two main groups: resellers, and end users (farmers).

For resellers

Resellers can tap into the growing demand for artificial incubators, especially in rural areas with limited access to commercial networks. To navigate this market successfully:

Establish robust distribution networks in rural areas, offering training programs for end-users.
Ensure a consistent supply of incubators and provide effective after-sales support for long-term success.

Target customers include rural communities, small-scale poultry farmers, and local agro-veterinary shops.

Capitalize on the market opportunity in areas lacking access to advanced incubation technologies.

Build strong partnerships with local veterinary services, community organizations, and manufacturers to establish a reliable supply chain.

Factor in procurement costs, which involve purchasing incubators from manufacturers, and include marketing and distribution expenses in the overall cost structure.

For users

The artificial hatching in semi-automatic incubators revolutionizes poultry farming, offering a solution to the limitations of natural incubation. It accelerates day-old chick production, ensuring a reliable supply and supporting the expansion of poultry farming.

To integrate this technology into your business:

The primary investment is the purchase of incubators, ranging from USD 100 to 200, depending on size and automation level.
Evaluate the quantity needed for your business, considering the delivery, import clearance, and duties.

Collaborate with agro dealers

Associating this technology with Flock Improvement of Meat and Layer Breeds and Dual-Purpose Chicken for Small-Scale Producers can provide a more comprehensive and sustainable approach to poultry farming.

Adults 18 and over: Positive high

The poor: Positive medium

Under 18: Positive medium

Women: Positive medium

Climate adaptability: Highly adaptable

Farmer climate change readiness: Significant improvement

Biodiversity: No impact on biodiversity

Carbon footprint: A bit less carbon released

Environmental health: Moderately improves environmental health

Soil quality: Does not affect soil health and fertility

Water use: Same amount of water used

Countries with a green colour: Tested & adopted
Countries with a bright green colour: Adopted
Countries with a yellow colour: Tested

Countries where the technology has been tested and adopted
Country	Tested	Adopted
Benin	Tested	Adopted
Botswana	Tested	Adopted
Burundi	Tested	Adopted
Central African Republic	Tested	Adopted
Côte d’Ivoire	Tested	Adopted
Democratic Republic of the Congo	Tested	Adopted
Ethiopia	Tested	Adopted
Ghana	Tested	Adopted
Guinea	Tested	Adopted
Kenya	Tested	Adopted
Madagascar	Tested	Adopted
Malawi	Tested	Adopted
Mozambique	Tested	Adopted
Niger	Tested	Adopted
Nigeria	Tested	Adopted
Rwanda	Tested	Adopted
Senegal	Tested	Adopted
Sierra Leone	Tested	Adopted
Somalia	Tested	Adopted
South Sudan	Tested	Adopted
Tanzania	Tested	Adopted
Uganda	Tested	Adopted
Zambia	Tested	Adopted
Zimbabwe	Tested	Adopted

This technology can be used in the colored agro-ecological zones. Any zones shown in white are not suitable for this technology.

Agro-ecological zones where this technology can be used
AEZ	Subtropic - warm	Subtropic - cool	Tropic - warm	Tropic - cool
Arid
Semiarid
Subhumid
Humid

Source: HarvestChoice/IFPRI 2009

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that are applicable to this technology.

Goal 2: zero hunger

Goal 3: good health and well-being

Goal 8: decent work and economic growth

To achieve successful incubation, the following steps are necessary:

Collect and store fertile eggs carefully.
Maintain the incubator at 38°C for initial incubation.
Adjust temperature as the embryo grows.
Monitor and control moisture levels (60-80%).
Turn eggs three times daily for 18 days.
Handle eggs with care to prevent damage.
Ensure a clean, secure incubator environment.
Mark eggs for systematic turning.
Use candling to assess egg development.
Vaccinate young chicks and prepare for the next cycle by cleaning and disinfecting.