isolation from
foot trafficOstrich Incubation & Hatching Principles
Manual Menu | Section: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
The objective with incubation is to allow the fertile egg to develop into an ostrich chick within a period of approximately 42 - 43 days, utilizing specially designed equipment for this purpose. In nature the parent birds instinctively provide the environmental conditions for successful hatching, but in artificial or commercial production operations, we have to create that same type of environment. As you prepare to enter this section of ostrich production, the following should be considered.
Incubation facilities will differ from farm to farm, depending a great deal upon budgets, size of the ostrich operation, and what existing buildings may be available for some renovations. Each producer should be prepared to plan a structure, whether it be permanent or temporary, according to the number of eggs he anticipates, and the number of equipment pieces required to accommodate the volume of anticipated eggs. Actual sizes of incubator and hatching equipment will vary, so be sure to know your equipment size before planning room size.
When planning your facilities keep in mind:
isolation from
foot traffic
environmental
control of room & building
sanitation of
room
back-up power
future
expansion
adequate
counter work spaces
adequate
storage space for supplies
space needed
for specific incubation equipment being purchased, including space for doors to swing.
(Plan for future equipment purchases as well)
Your incubator room should be designed to provide consistent temperature, humidity and air exchange.
There are several different types and models of incubating and hatching equipment available on the market today. There are four basic functions of an incubator.
(1) temperature control
(2) humidity control
(3) good air flow and circulation
(4) turning or rotating mechanism. (Hatchers do not have the turning/rotating mechanism.)
It is highly suggested that you shop around, and view different incubation and hatching equipment, before making your purchase, as it is a substantial investment in your operation. A good practice is to speak with producers that may have various models, and get feedback on performance of machines and company service features after purchase.
Incubation
period 42 - 43 days
Average
Temperature 97·F - 97.4·F
Average
Humidity 23% - 26%
Rotation 6 - 8
times per day.
Above
recommended ranges for settings are for Alberta climates. Within this range, slight
variations in settings may be necessary, depending on the actual relative humidity and
temperature of your local climate.
Candling of
eggs is performed weekly to monitor embryo development, and to determine if there are any
infertile eggs to remove from the machine.
Eggs weights
should be measured. Weighing of eggs is conducted weekly to determine weight loss of eggs,
and to help calculate if any adjustments need to be made to humidity and temperature
settings. Most producers aim for a 15-18% weight loss.
General
practice is to clean and disinfect the eggs prior to incubation. Several methods are being
used, ranging from dipping eggs in 110·F water, which has been sanitized with an
anti-bacterial agent such as Virkon , to wiping eggs clean with a dry paper towel
and misting with a disinfectant spray bottle. Consultation with your veterinarian is
advised, if you are in doubt. It is generally agreed, however, that some form of cleaning
and sanitizing is required. Hygiene is very important when handing eggs at all times.
Eggs can be
stored for up to 10 days at a cool 55-60·F temperature. Most producers generally
"set" new eggs once a week in the incubator, so that a batch of eggs will hatch
at the same time.
Differences in
egg size, shape, and porosity will exist. As a result, incubation humidity and temperature
will have to be adjusted. It is recommended that ostrich operations maintain smaller sized
incubation equipment to accommodate these variances.
During the
incubation process, the eggs are consuming oxygen (breathing) and producing carbon
dioxide. As an embryo progresses in development over the 6 week period, so does its
consumption of oxygen and production of carbon dioxide. Therefore, proper air intake and
circulation is CRITICAL in incubating and hatching facilities!
Most producers
transfer eggs to a hatcher sometime between day 39 and 40. Once the egg is in the hatcher
it should be candled more frequently (two or three times) per day.
With practice
and experience, the ostrich producer will be able to establish an "expected pipping
data" for each hen, based on patterns that emerge.
Once the
emerging chick has "internally pipped" into the interior air cell with
its beak, it will be approximately 24-48 hours before the chick actually breaks the shell
and completes its exit.
If there is no
sign of attempts by the chick to break the shell, then assistance may be required.
You can break open a small hole in the shell to allow the chick to breathe. At this
point, leave the chick alone, and allow him to work his own way out. This may even
take a couple of days. Patience is the key to successful hatching. Chicks hatch when they
are ready. Small eggs hatch faster than large eggs, and some hen's eggs will hatch sooner
than others. Too much intervention, too early, can result in hatch complications.
The best practice is "hands-off" whenever possible!
After the
chick is hatched, treat the navel area with iodine. After the chick is dried, move it to
the brooder area as soon as possible, so that it identifies its home as the new pen area,
rather than the hatcher environment.