INCUBATION is a subject which many people find hard to understand, but it is a natural form of reproduction and development of a fertile egg, which after a certain length of time hatches and produces the next generation of whatever breed is being incubated.

The incubation process, which depends on firstly the fertility of the parent stock and then on heat and humidity, can seem to be a complicated process but, whether it is a natural incubation or an artificial system, there will be a certain amount of both failed hatches as well as some great successes.

Natural incubation is the use of a broody hen, who will sit the eggs for the full period of the process. There are both good and bad points regarding the use of natural incubation which are.

Good points - Natural rearing always seems to produce good healthy strong chicks; chicks build a natural immunity to disease; no work involved for the keeper (only regular checks for insects and clean nests etc); hen rears her own brood from hatch to adult (you may not fully appreciate this until you have the total responsibility for day-old chicks!).

Points against - Broody hens are not always ready to sit when you have fertile eggs ready to incubate; hens can and do walk away from clutches with no apparent reason; broody hens will collect all eggs laid in her area and try to sit them all; sitting birds can and do attract red mite which can and does kill both hen and chicks if not taken care of;.the actual hatch date can be a little hard to work out unless all the eggs are marked on the date laid.

Certain breeds of poultry are what is classed as a non-sitter. This means exactly what it says; they will lay eggs but will not hatch their own young. Check out the breed before buying especially if you would like to brood your own using the broody hen.

The breeds classed as the ideal broody are the Sussex, Rhode Island Red, Welsummer, but the most successful is the Silkie, which can also be crossed with a Light Sussex to create the ideal broody hen. This cross also is an ideal solution as it produces sex-linked chicks at day old.

Using the natural system is preferred by many breeders, but incubation using the artificial system of an incubator is increasingly more popular today. These units are more reliable and easy to operate and they give you a reasonable level of control. This control allows you to hatch as many eggs as you require and also set the eggs at certain times to give you very accurate hatching dates which cuts out the guess work and also takes away any problem such as mite. It puts you firmly in control.

The main question I get asked is which make of incubator is the best one to use? The answer is not quite that simple as there are many aspects to take into consideration when choosing a make. Possibly the first one is the price. What you pay is obviously up to the individual's financial situation but remember in most cases you get what you pay for. There are simple incubators on the market from as little as £35 but at the opposite end of the scale you can pay as much as you wish - the sky is the limit. If you want an incubator that is fully automatic, fan-assisted and with automatic humidity control then be prepared to pay a reasonable price for this type of machine.

There are three types of incubator.

1. Manual turn heater, still air or fan assisted. This type of incubator is the basic unit which tends to be the cheapest to purchase. They are, as the description implies, manual turn, which means you have to turn the eggs at least twice a day by hand. To do this successfully, mark the eggs on one side with a cross to ensure you are turning them properly. This takes time and can tend to be forgotten, which is why this type of incubator is not as popular today.

2. Semi-automatic still air or fan assisted. Again, the description gives a good idea as to how this operates. Semi-automatic means you still have to turn the eggs manually at least twice a day but the incubators normally come with a push-pull system, which allows you to pull a rod or lever and move all the eggs at once, the use of a floor based grid in which the eggs are laid on there sides provide the means for them to role. This system is a very good idea but again you have to remember to actually carry out this task on a regular basis.

Fan-assisted, which is now available on most modern incubators, is definitely an advantage. This gives you moving air throughout the incubator and also reduces the hot spots which you can tend to get in a still air incubator. The hot spots are the result of air being in one place inside the incubator allowing certain areas to have higher temperatures then the rest of the unit. In a fan assisted, the fans distribute this air and this prevents the problem from occurring. These are very practical and usable units which can also double as a hatcher if needed.

3. Fully-automatic fan assisted. This is the type of unit that everyone should try to purchase. The fully-automatic means that once the incubator is set and running there is very little maintenance needed as the unit literally does the job for you. Once the eggs are set in the incubator, the unit then turns the eggs every hour throughout the day and night for the full period of the incubation. Other than a mechanical failure or electricity cuts, there should be very little problems for the operator to have to deal with. Virtually all the automatic incubators are fan-assisted, which is as I have described earlier. This also makes these machines the ideal solution for all breeders at all levels.

Today there are so many different models on the market it is quite mind-blowing, especially to the newcomer, and although I am going to cover some incubator model variations during this series the final decision on what model you purchase needs to be considered very carefully.

One of the best ways to find a suitable incubator is through personal recommendation. I do not mean from the manufacturer but from another poultry keeper who can tell you the results he has achieved with whatever incubator he is using. This will help to give you a guide on what unit operates correctly with good results or one which proves to be both unreliable and unsuccessful.

Preparation for incubation: There is one basic requirement with any form of incubation and that is basic cleanliness, from the time from when you collect and store the fertile eggs, during the incubation period and right up until the chicks hatch and grow. The incubator is a perfect place for bacteria to flourish - inside the incubator unit there is a steady correct temperature and a nice humid environment for problem infections to grow.

When you begin to set (start putting eggs in) the incubator even from new it is a good idea just to clean and disinfect the surfaces, do not use any form of corrosive disinfectant. There are several special ones on the market which are very suitable and safe for incubator use. Always avoid water contact with any electrical fitting inside the incubator, not only can this destroy the incubator's working system but can also prove dangerous for the user.

Once you are clean and ready to start, switch on the incubator for at least 24 hours prior to putting in the eggs, both to check that everything is in good working order and that the temperature settings are correct. For chicken, you need the incubator to be running at 37.8 degrees without too much fluctuation. While you are carrying out these checks it is essential that the incubator is placed in an area were it will not be affected by outside fluctuating temperatures, centrally heated rooms and cold drafty garages are not suitable as the air round the incubator will alter frequently and this will cause the internal temperature to fluctuate. To help the incubator carry out its work in the correct manner it needs to be in a stable outside environment. Do not add water at this time as this is just to check that all is in perfect order to set the eggs.

Once all settings are stable then it is time to introduce the eggs into the incubator.

  • Next month: Collecting egg storage, setting the eggs, selecting and grading for hatching, setting the incubator. Time scales for hatching periods.