Semi-Automatic Incubator for artificial hatching 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

Positive or neutral impact

Adults 18 and over: Positive high
The poor: Positive medium
Under 18: Positive medium
Women: Positive medium

Positive or neutral impact

Climate adaptability: It adapts really well
Adaptability for farmers: It helps a lot
Biodiversity: It doesn't hurt them
Carbon footprint: It reduces emissions a little
Environment: It makes a little difference
Soil quality: It doesn't harm the soil's health and fertility
Water usage: It uses the same amount of water

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 project

The Artificial Hatching in Semi-Automatic Incubators technology revolutionizes poultry farming, offering a solution to overcome the limitations of natural incubation. It not only accelerates the production of day-old chicks but also ensures reliable supply, contributing to the expansion of poultry farming. This aligns with Sustainable Development Goals, including Zero Hunger, Decent Work and Economic Growth, and Responsible Consumption and Production.

To integrate this technology into your project and outline the essential tasks and conditions, follow these steps:

Conduct awareness campaigns targeting poultry farmers and stakeholders to educate them about the benefits of artificial hatching in semi-automatic incubators.
Assist farmers in selecting suitable incubator models based on their production needs and capacity, considering factors like size and energy source.
Develop marketing strategies for promoting the availability of day-old chicks and their benefits to poultry farmers, thus encouraging adoption.

The main investment in artificial hatching technology is the purchase of incubators, with costs ranging from USD 100 to 200, depending on size and automation level.

-Evaluate the quantity needed for your project, considering the technology cost. For delivery, account for potential import clearance and duties.

-As the technology is available in various countries, including Zimbabwe, Zambia, Uganda, Tanzania, South Sudan, Somalia, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Rwanda, Nigeria, Niger, Mozambique, Malawi, Madagascar, Kenya, Ivory Coast, Guinea, Ghana, Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Central African Republic, Burundi, Botswana, Benin, explore collaboration with agricultural development institutes and agro-dealers for implementation.

Training is crucial for effective utilization. A team of trainers can provide comprehensive training and post-training support during the implementation of the technology. Include the associated costs in your project plan.

Communication support for the technology should be developed, including flyers, videos, and radio broadcasts, to raise awareness among farmers and stakeholders.

For a more comprehensive and sustainable poultry farming approach, consider associating this technology with Flock Improvement of Meat and Layer Breeds and Dual-Purpose Chicken for Small-Scale Producers technologies and all practices such as improved poultry breeds, quality poultry feed formulation, and disease management strategies.

Cost: $$$ 100—200 USD

Incubators

ROI: $$$ 20 %

per cycle

150 USD

64-egg manual solar unit

200 USD

fully automated 96 egg unit

IP

Open source / open access

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.