The incubation of Ratite eggs is the first step to the beginning of the growing period. Care must be exercised throughout the incubation process to insure the best possible hatch, considering the environment that the developing embryo is placed in.
Many teachers apply the adage, "Tell me and I'll forget; show me and I'll remember; involve me and I'll understand." Teachers include the life sciences in their curricula, but available science projects that involve and excite students are scarce. Hatching chicken eggs, examining embryos, and observing a beating heart offer the involvement and excitement necessary for a good classroom project.
Eggs of exotic birds and common chickens require a standard measure of care in storage and incubation to ensure a successful hatch. Environmental conditions, handling, sanitation and record keeping can impact the success of incubating and hatching eggs.
Observing a developing embryo can be a very fascinating and educational experience for all ages. Since most embryos develop internally and therefore are difficult to observe, the chick embryo provides an excellent tool for many types of learning situations.
Artificial incubation of poultry eggs is an ancient practice. Aristotle writing in the year 400 B.C. told of Egyptians incubating eggs spontaneously in dung heaps. The Chinese developed artificial incubation at least as early as 246 B.C. These early incubation methods were often practiced on a large scale, a single location perhaps having capacity of 36,000 eggs.
Poultry and game bird producers realize that chicks must be kept warm or brooded during the first weeks of life. Surprisingly, improper brooding is one of the most common causes of stress in poultry flocks.
This publication is designed to introduce the beginning hatchery man to the types of incubators and their operation for the hatching of chicken, turkey, waterfowl, game bird, and peafowl eggs. The text of this publication is directed at the incubation of
