DEVELOPMENT OF A PROTOTYPE INCUBATOR FOR POULTRY BIRDS

Abstract

The design and fabrication of prototype incubator has been carried out. Basically, it was made to comprise two chambers VIZ, the egg chamber and the heat pump. The other part is the control panel which regulates the activities of the heat pump and that of the egg chamber. Temperature range between 3SoC and 39°C with favourable Relative Humidity needed for viable development of eggs during incubation periods were achieved. The egg trays were designed to tilt at a regular interval so as to prevent the egg embryo from getting stuck to the egg shell during incubation period. The results of the test conducted show that the best temperature for most effective hatchability of the eggs range from 36. SOC to 3r'c: However, the problem of unhealed navel as well as that of wet down feather of the chicks which were prevalent in most industrial incubator were curtailed by this newly developed prototype incubator.