Domestic Poultry Husbandry

Production of Poultry Chicks and Ducklings 

Fertilized eggs are used for incubation. There are two systems of hatching eggs, such as: 1.     Natural Method 2.     Artificial method

The eggs capable of producing chicks are called fertilized eggs. Before hatching the eggs have to be selected. One cock in every 8-10 hens will have to be reared for getting fertilized eggs. 

Selection of Fertilized Eggs 

The following things will have to be considered in selecting eggs. 

1. The Size of the Egg : 

Medium sized eggs are best for hatching. Eggs having unnatural size and thin shell should be avoided. Only eggs having smooth, thick and hard shell should be selected.

2. Colour of the Shell :

 Depending on variety, the hen lays eggs of different colour. The colour of the shell may be white, brown, black or blackish. Eggs should be selected depending on the variety, which gives the particular coloured eggs. 

3. Cracked Eggs :

 Crackedd eggs should be avoided. This may be determined by the sound developed by hitting one egg with the other. 

4. The Characteristics of the Egg's Internal Composition :

 If the inside of the egg is transparent and the yolk is in the middle then the egg should be selected for hatching. 

5. Cleanliness of the Egg : 

During selection it is to be ascertained whether the eggs are clean. Dirty eggs will have been cleaned with piece of cloth. 

6. The Weight of the Egg :

 The weight of the egg of an improved variety should be 50-60 gm. The egg should never be washed in water. 

7. Age of the Egg :

 The age of the egg to be hatched should never be more than 3-4 days during summer and 7-10 days during winter. 

Preservation of Selected Eggs

 Hatching process depends on the preservation methods of the eggs. So during the preservation of selected eggs, the following things must be considered. 

1. Age of the Egg :

 Eggs can be preserved 7-10 days during winter and 3-4 days during summer. If preserved for more days, the eggs do not hatch. 

2. Temperature : 

The ideal temperature for egg preservation is between 10˚-15˚C. Eggs in big hatcheries should be preserved in air conditioned room. During preservation the broad portion of the egg should be placed in the upper side and the tapering portion should be in the lower side. 

3. Relative Humidity (RH) : 

The ideal humidity of egg preservation should be between 75-80%. Low humidity decreases hatching capacity. 

4. Cleanliness :

 Eggs should always be preserved in clean place. Because the pores of the shell may be closed with dirty materials and this might destort respiration of the embryo. 

Methods of Hatching Eggs

 Eggs are hatched in two different ways as described below- 

Artificial Method :

 Incubation of eggs in a specially manufactured instrument maintaining proper temperature is called artificial incubation. In this method a good number of eggs can be incubated. There are 2 methods of artificial incubation, such as 1. Incubation and 2. Husk method. These methods are described here under : 

Incubation Method :

 This method of incubation is the most modern and  improved system. This method is followed in big poultry farms. Incubators are of two types _

 1. Kerosene incubator

 2. Electric incubator

 The kerosene incubator is operated with kerosene oil. 50 to 500 eggs can be hatched in this incubator. This method of incubation is followed in areas where there is no electricity. It is less costly too. 

Temperature :

 In case of Kerosene incubator temperature should be maintained at 38.3˚C-39.5˚C- during first 2 weeks and at 38,6˚C during third week after placing the eggs. In case of electric incubator 37.5˚C temperature should be maintained during first 18 days and 37˚C for the next 3 days. 

Relative Humidity: 

In kerosene or electric incubator the relative humidity for the first 18 days should be 50%-60% and for the next 3 days 65%-75%. 

Turning of Eggs :

 Turning of eggs should be done 8 times daily e.g. after every three hours. In case of improved incubator turning of egg is done automatically with the help of a timer. In case of kerosene incubator turning of egg is done with the help of "U" shaped wire. 

Placing the Eggs : 

Eggs should be placed in incubation tray so that tapering side of the egg lies downward and the broader side lies at 45˚ angle 

Examination of Eggs :

 Eggs are examined in the seventh day in a dark room with the help of a torch light or an electric bulb. If enough blood vessels are found in the middle and the side then it is to be understood that the embryo is developing, the egg is fertilized and it will hatch. Re-examination is done in the 14th day. Intake of oxygen and outlet of carbon dioxide of the egg is necessary for the development of the embryo: For this reason proper ventilation system is maintained in the incubator. 

Transfer of Eggs from Setting Tray to Hatching Tray :

 Generally eggs are transferred from setting tray to hatching tray on. the 19th day. The newly born chicks came out of the egg in this tray. 

Cleanliness :

 After and before every incubation the incubator should be cleaned with clean water mixed with geimicide. After making germ-free the incubator should be fumigated. For, fumigation of eggs, rates measuring only third of the above mentioned doses of the incubation. 

Fumigation :

 For an incubator of 100 cft. 80 cc (40%), formalin with 40 gm. potassium permanganate should be kept in the incubator. By this all germs of the incubator will die. The process is called fumigation. 

Husk Method of Egg Incubation 

This is an ancient method. This method is followed in rural areas having no electricity. In husk method the eggs of both duck and hen can be incubated. But in our country this method is mainly followed for incubating duck eggs. 

Natural Method 

When a hen hatches the fertilized eggs with the help of its body temperature it is called natural method of incubation. This is very old method. Natural method of incubation is followed in almost every village of Bangladesh. Country breeds of hens are used in this method. Country hens, after giving eggs for some days, become broody and tends to sit on eggs, 8-10 eggs can be kept under such a healthy broody hen. In the first stage a small basket or a bowl can be filled with straws and dried leaves. By making hole in the basket with the help of hands soft littre is prepared for the hen. This basket is to be kept in a solitary place of the house so as to avoid noise. The nest should be 37 cm. diametre and 10 cm. depth. If the area of the nest is bigger than the eggs will move more problems may arise in hatching and the eggs may be broken even. 

Before the hen sits on the eggs, it should be fed with granular food and water. 

To start with some bad eggs may be kept under the hen so as to make it habituated for brooding. When it will be habituated for brooding then 8-10 fertilized eggs can be kept under the hen and the bad ones should be taken out. ' The nest of the hen may be covered with cloth, Hessian or straw. Granular food and water should be kept near the nest of the hen. Every day at a definite time the hen should be allowed to move about. 

After 8-10 days the eggs should be examined in sunlight The presence of embryo may be indicated by a black mark in the egg. After 21 to 23 days the chicks will be coming out of the eggs, The hen looks after the chicks for 2 months. Then they will be able to move independently. 

The Advantages of Natural Incubation 

1. This method is less costly and provides more security. 

2. Human care is not a necessity; the hen itself looks after the chicks. 

Precautions 

1. Hen under one year age can not be used for brooding. These hens may stop brooding after 10-15 days. 

2. Only when the hen tends to brood, only then the eggs should be kept under it. 

3. Hens can not be used for brooding at the time of molting. 

4. The hen and its nest should be treated with insecticides like gamaxone, sodium chloride dust. 

5. The house should be neat and clean. 

6. The hen should be allowed to sit on eggs during night. By this, there is every possibility of hatching the eggs at night after 21 days.