A hatchery is a machine that enables eggs to be hatched by artificial means. The eggs are put in these machines from the incubator for the hatching process. This is the time a chick develops from the initial embryo form. The embryo is formed during the process of incubation. A hatchery machine is, therefore, very important as well. At times, a hatcher is part of an egg incubator.
Several processes in a given sequence are done as part of the hatchery process. In this article, we will look at them.
Get hatching eggs
These eggs can be from different hatcheries or the same hatchery. They can also either be from different breeder flocks or their breeder flock.
They should be clean to avoid infection to the other eggs. The selection should be made well, as not all eggs are ready for hatching.
Tray the eggs
This transfer should be done immediately. Put eggs from breeder flocks in the trays of the egg setter. This should be done carefully to prevent breakage.
Fumigate
Put the tray-eggs in the fumigation chamber. This is done to fumigate the eggs. Formaldehyde is used in this process of fumigation.
This chemical kills the organisms on the shells. This is a very important step, as the eggs we want to hatch should give us quality chicks that are not diseased.
Cold storage
Cold storage is done when the eggs received need to be ready for setting. In the cold crook, the temperature is lowered. The humidity there is also controlled.
Warm the eggs
A few hours before transferring the eggs to the setter, remove them from the cold storage and put them under normal temperatures. Temperature rises.
Water droplets from condensed cool air form on the shells. The water droplets are termed ‘sweating.’ This step has a well-explained reason.
This is done to prevent interference with the temperature in the setting room. Despite the differences in the hatchery machine price in Kenya, they are great devices.
Load the eggs
Loading of eggs is a term used to refer to placing the eggs in the setter. A Batch system is usually employed in most commercial sectors.
This minimizes the time the setter takes to reach the required temperature. All the eggs in each setter have different embryonic development stages.
Candling
The eggs are placed in front of a light source to monitor defects in the shells. The two methods are either using an individual Candler or a mass Candler.
Eggs transfer
This means the eggs should be transferred from the setter to the hatcher. It is usually done when some percentage of the eggs are piped slightly.
Pulling the hatch
In this process, chicks are removed from the hatcher. This factor should be done when they are dry but not excessively dried. Excessive dryness should be avoided.
Chick hardening
At first, when the chicks are put in boxes, they seem fragile. They are therefore left in these boxes for some hours to harden.
Grading
Hardening makes it easier to grade the chicks. The chicks delivered to customers should be above the minimum standard. There are usually several grading levels.
Sexing
This is mostly done to layer-type and not meat-type chicks. It is done by vent sexing. Sometimes, auto-sexing is used.
Vaccination and delivery
Marek’s disease is what the chicks are vaccinated against. This process is done before delivery.
Cleaning the hatchery and disposing of waste
Cleaning is of fundamental importance. The setter room should be vacuumed. Waste should be disposed of properly to avoid contamination of the hatchery premises.
Conclusion
A hatchery machine is important and easy to use either commercially or in a domestic setup. This article will be of help to any poultry farmer.
