An incubator is an equipment used for brooding, meaning that it is mainly used for artificial hatching. With a very high accuracy of hatch-ability, the farmer has an advantage because there is less loss compared to natural brooding.
This article focuses on the price of this incubator in Kenya, what one should consider before purchasing one, and how one can manage and maintain it.
Agriculture in Kenya has taken a new step moving from traditional practices to adapting to the new technological advancement. Kenyan farmers have adapted the modern modes of farming, including the use of incubators for brooding.
The brooding machines that came into the market in the late ’90s have taken various advancements, starting from a 26 eggs incubator to now 1000 egg incubator available for small and large-scale poultry farmers. The 1000 egg incubator price in Kenya coming into the market has come with a lot of advantages to the farmers. The primary aspect is an increase in production and, in turn, their income.
This article focuses on helping farmers get information on what to consider before purchase, the functioning of the incubator, maintenance, why they need to get this incubator, and how it will impact their business, which is discussed in detail below.
Pros
- Regular features
- Provide perfect environmental conditions
- High accuracy of hatch-ability
- Directly correlated
- Limited breakage of eggs during turning
- Eggs are turned correctly
- Saves money and time
Cons
- Expensive to buy and maintain
- Needs professionals to work on them and also maintain
- It needs more time commitment and also time accuracy
Parts of an Incubator
- Container
- Candler
- Thermometer and hygrometer
- Egg turner
- Thermostat
- Heater
- Humidity control
Materials
- Plywood
- Masking tap.
- Heating unit
- ¼ inch mesh welded hardware cloth
- Plexiglas
- Cake tin 13×9×1.1/2 inches
How it works
Since it is an enclosed structure, it allows some precise temperature to enter the incubator for the eggs. It also allows the ease of turning eggs. The temperature that is required is LED for better development of the embryo. It also has fun which at some point is used to maintain the humidity required in the incubator.
The eggs should be in the incubator for 21 days. If the eggs are kept in AM, it is counted as the first day, but if they are kept in PM, then it is counted as 0 days. The incubator has an accuracy of 70-90% of hatch-ability.
Price
This equipment is very economical and can be used by both large and small-scale farmers. This has helped and also increased the businesses of many small farmers.
Management and maintenance
The machine should be washed with a 10% bleach solution, and the water should be warm and soapy; one should use clean water to rinse. One should always sanitize the environment where this incubator is kept with the most appropriate disinfectants.
When one is done cleaning, one should turn it on so it can dry and maintain the appropriate humidity and temperature required. One should do it lightly and be steady and slow when using hand-turning work to avoid malfunction.
One should always pay attention to the change in temperature and humidity change.
Conclusion
Farmers should move to this type of equipment to improve the production in their farms and reduce the cost of production due to the reduced losses and more profits. It is one of the latest technologies we may need to move to.
