Incubators are machines that create an ideal environment for the hatching of eggs through the management of precise parameters, such as temperature and humidity, for a sufficient period to allow them to hatch.
The most important incubator components are:
It is important to clean and sanitise the incubator machine after each incubation in order to remove dirt and shell residues, which combined with heat and humidity can create a favourable environment for the proliferation of bacteria.
First, the plug of the incubator must be pulled out in order to clean it from any residue. Thoroughly rub the machine components with a disinfectant solution and a paper towel, then rinse with lukewarm water.
Dry each surface thoroughly and, if desired, clean electrical areas with a blast of compressed air.
Ensuring constant movement of eggs is essential for proper hatching. It prevents the embryo from attaching to the shell membrane, allows the transfer of egg white proteins into the amniotic fluid and supports the growth of blood vessels, increasing oxygen absorption.
Egg rotation can be done manually or through a fully automated system. If the manual option is chosen, the eggs must be turned manually; after washing your hands, you will have to turn the eggs 3 to 5 times a day by rotating them at least 90°.
If the automated option is chosen, the machine uses a special egg-turning attachment, which clips onto the incubator and turns the eggs fully automatically.
Within three days of hatching, it is very important to take some basic steps:
At this point, it is essential to stop opening the lid of the incubator and not to carry out any further operations until the final hatching of the eggs.