Methods for Shell-Less Incubation of Poultry

Abstract

Broken or cracked shells can mean the loss of valuable hatching eggs for individuals who work with poultry or other birds. If a method can be devised for shell-less incubation, these eggs could potentially be saved. Based upon my knowledge of incubation and research on the subject I predicted that the eggs placed in the artificial environment could reach maturity after a 21-day incubation period but at a lower rate than normally incubated eggs. I also predicted that the addition of calcium would improve the hatch rate. For this research, an artificial vessel was created using PVC pipe or glass jars, and eggs were incubated in three groups with three subgroups, each incubated using different protocols. Each artificial vessel was covered with cling wrap to act as a barrier for gas exchange. All eggs were incubated in Little Giant Styrofoam incubators set at 99.5°F with the humidity between 50-55%. During incubation, data was collected on the number of embryos alive at three-day intervals and charted to determine the best conditions for optimal survival rates. Data compiled during the incubation process showed that eggs supplemented with calcium did have better survival rates than non-supplemented eggs. The eggs incubated in the PVC environments showed better embryo growth than those in the glass jars which showed no embryo growth at day three. I was able to grow one embryo to day nine of incubation with the addition of calcium and antiseptic in the PVC environment.