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BIOLOGY
PROJECT

ARTIFICIAL
HOME-MADE
INCUBATOR
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ACKNOWLEDGMENT
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to several
individuals who have played a pivotal role in the successful
completion of this biology project on the homemade artificial
incubator.

First and foremost, I am deeply grateful to Mr. Guruprasath,

my biology teacher, for his invaluable guidance, constant
support, and insightful suggestions throughout this project. His
expertise and encouragement have been instrumental in
shaping this project.

I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to

Ms. Chithrakala Ramachandran, our esteemed Principal, for
providing the necessary resources and a conducive
environment for conducting this research. Her unwavering
support and understanding have been greatly appreciated.
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CONTENTS
S.No TOPICS

01. INTRODUCTION

02. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

03. RESULT

04. CONCLUSION

05. BIBLIOGRAPHY
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INTRODUCTION
Incubation is a critical process in the development of avian and
reptilian embryos, requiring precise control of temperature,
humidity, and ventilation to ensure successful hatching.
Commercial incubators, while effective, can be costly and
inaccessible for small-scale or educational purposes. This
project, undertaken by Surendhar P., aims to address this gap
by designing and constructing a homemade artificial incubator
that is both affordable and efficient.

The motivation behind this project stems from a desire to

understand the intricate requirements of the incubation process
and to explore the feasibility of creating a functional incubator
using readily available materials. By constructing a homemade
incubator, we can provide a practical solution for hobbyists,
educators, and small-scale farmers who seek an economical
alternative to commercial incubators.

Through this project, we aim not only to create a viable

incubator but also to gain a deeper understanding of the
biological and technological principles that underpin the
incubation process. The knowledge and insights gained from
this endeavour will contribute to the broader field of biological
research and may inspire further innovations in affordable
incubation technology.
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USES OF ARTIFICIAL INCUBATION:

A homemade artificial incubator allows for hatching chicken

eggs outside of a natural setting. It maintains optimal
temperature and humidity levels critical for embryo
development. This setup enables small-scale poultry
enthusiasts to hatch chicks from fertilised eggs without needing
a hen. It's cost-effective and educational, teaching about the life
cycle of chickens. By controlling conditions like temperature
and humidity, it ensures higher hatch rates compared to natural
conditions. This DIY approach is popular among hobbyists and
small farmers aiming to raise their own poultry sustainably.

DISADVANTAGES OF ARTIFICIAL INCUBATION:

● Temperature Fluctuations: Homemade incubators may
struggle to maintain consistent temperatures.

● Humidity Control: Proper humidity levels can be hard to

regulate.

● Limited Capacity: Often, they can hold fewer eggs

compared to commercial incubators.

● Lack of Automation: Manual turning and monitoring are

needed.

● Reliability Issues: Homemade designs might be less

reliable, leading to lower hatch rates.

● Safety Concerns: Improperly built incubators can be fire

hazards.
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EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

OBJECTIVE:
The objective of this experiment is to assess the
effectiveness of a homemade incubator in maintaining optimal
conditions for the development of embryos.

MATERIALS REQUIRED:
● 10 fertilised chicken eggs
● Styrofoam box
● 60-watt incandescent light bulb
● Thermostat
● Sand
● Small container of water
● Marking pen
● Power supply
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METHOD:

1. PREPARATION OF INCUBATOR:

● Line the bottom of the styrofoam box with sand.

● Place the light bulb at one end of the box.

● Position the small container of water inside the box to

maintain humidity.

● Place a thermostat to help in regulating the temperature.

● Place a 12v DC fan in front of the bulb to spread the

temperature throughout the box.

You'll find the incubator image below.

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2. MARKING EGGS:-

● Use the marking pen to number and mark each egg for
identification and to track turning.

● Marking the egg process is important because the egg

should be turned equally, and the equal turning will help
in the development of the embryo.

3. PLACEMENT OF THE EGGS:-

● Place the eggs evenly on the sand, ensuring they are not
touching each other.

● Note the initial position of each egg in your notebook.

4. INCUBATION PROCESS:-

● Maintain a constant temperature of around 37.5°C.

● Monitor the humidity, aiming to keep it around 50-55% for the

first 18 days and increase to 65-70% during the last three
days.

● Turn the eggs three times a day to ensure even heat

distribution and prevent the embryo from sticking to the shell.
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● Keep the incubator clean and sterile to prevent any potential

contamination that could harm the developing embryos.

● Check the humidity and temperature regularly,especially

during the first few days to ensure stability.

● Ensure that there is adequate ventilation to prevent the build

up of carbon dioxide inside the incubator.

5. CANDLING:-

Candling is a process used to observe the development

of embryos inside eggs during incubation. It involves shining a
bright light through the eggshell to see the contents inside. This
technique is primarily used in poultry farming to monitor the
progress of embryos and to check for signs of fertility and
development.

CANDLING PROCEDURE:-

1. Light Source: A candling light, often a small, bright

flashlight or specialised candling device, is used to
illuminate the egg.
2. Dark Environment: Candling is typically done in a
darkened room or area to make it easier to see
through the eggshell.
3. Egg Positioning: Hold the egg gently but securely
against the light source. The light is directed
through the larger end of the egg where the air sac
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is located, providing a clear view of the contents

inside.
4. Observation: By looking through the eggshell, we
can observe:
● Air Cell: The size and shape of the air cell can indicate
the age of the egg and its incubation progress.

● Embryo: Depending on the stage of development,

you might see blood vessels forming, a dark spot (the
embryo), and later stages might reveal movement or
even a fully developed chick.

FUNCTIONS OF CANDLING:-

● Fertility Check: Candling can help determine if an egg

is fertile by showing early signs of embryo development.

● Development Monitoring: It allows farmers or breeders

to monitor the growth and health of the embryo
throughout the incubation period.

● Early Detection: It helps detect and remove any

non-developing or dead embryos, preventing them from
contaminating the incubator environment.
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DAILY REFLECTION:-

DAY-1:

● On day-1 I don’t see any difference or any

development in the egg, it appears normal.

DAY-2:

● On day-2, the egg appears slightly developed. And

I can see the formation of a neural tube in the yolk
of the egg.
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You can see the neural tubes formed in the yolk in the above picture.

DAY-3 & 4:-

● On day-3 & 4, I observed that the neural tubes

becoming broader and it spread all over the yolk.

DAY-5:-

● On day-5, I Observed that the eye of the embryo

and the blood vessels were formed around the
yolk.

In the above image you can see the eye of the embryo, and the
blood vessels formed and surrounded the embryo.
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DAY6,7 & 8:-

● On day6, 7 & 8, I Observed that the embryo starts

developing its body and the air cell grows initially in
the shell.
● It indicates that the embryo is forming.The
embryo’s body is developing and the tissues were
been developed as the body of the embryo during
these days.

In the above picture, you can see that the body of the embryo
forming from the tissues.

NOTE: You should be careful during these days, because there are
the possibilities where the embryo cannot be formed. So , you
should turn the eggs properly during these days
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DAY-9 & 10:-

● On day-9 & 10, I Observed that the embryo starts

developing as a chick.
● The air cell starts growing big , and the embryo
starts revolving around the egg.
● I also observed that the embryo turns to the side
where the heat of the light is given to them.

In the above picture you can see that the embryo is revolving
around the egg and it starts developing as a chick. And we can also
see the air cell which is at the larger bottom of the egg.
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DAY-11 & 12:-

● On day-11 & 12, I Observed that the embryo’s body

is halfway formed.
● The heart was formed and the air cell grew much
bigger than before.
● I also observed that the limbs are in the stage of
forming.

In the above picture you can see that the embryo’s body is forming
and the limbs are in the initial stage of forming.
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DAY-13 & 14:-

On day-13 & 14 ,there is no difference between day-11 &

12. The embryo is normal and the humidity level is increased to
60-70%. The air cell has grown bigger, this means the chick is
developing to hatch.

NOTE: The embryo is similar from day-14 until day-16. The

embryo breathes and the water container dries up once a day.
This shows us that the embryo has developed its body.
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DAY-17,18 & 19:-

● On day-17,18 & 19 ,the embryo shows
enormous development.
● The embryo’s body has developed and the
wings were formed and the air cell covers most
part of the egg.

In the above picture you can see the chick’s head and whole
body which is developed. At this time we should be more
careful in handling them and the humidity level should be
increased during this period.
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DAY-20:-

● On day-20, the chick was completely developed

and it was ready to hatch.

● On this day the embryo stays at one side of the

egg and is ready for hatch.

In the above picture you can see that the chick is ready to
hatch.

HATCHING:
DAY-21(HATCHING DAY):-

● On this day the chicks had peck holes in their

eggs and the “pipping” was heard.
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● This shows that the egg is going to be hatched

by themselves .

In the above picture, you can see a hole or the broken shell
which has been pecked by the chick.
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HATCH RATE:

FORMULA:

Hatch Rate=(Total Number of Eggs Hatched) ×100

(Total Number of Eggs)

=(3/10​)×100=30%

;Hence, the hatch rate is 30%.

CAUSES OF DEATH:
1. HEMORRHAGE: It is the condition where the chick
has weaker blood vessels and the blood gets leaked
out of its body, the chick die with insufficient of blood
supply.

2. Temperature Fluctuations: Too high or too low

temperatures can prevent proper development.

3. Infections: Poor sanitation can lead to bacterial,

viral, or fungal infections.

4. Dehydration: Chicks need access to water as soon

as they hatch; dehydration can quickly lead to death.
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The picture shows a healthy chick which is tired of coming out

and taking rest.
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CONCLUSION
The homemade incubator successfully hatched 3 out of 10
eggs, resulting in a hatch rate of 30%. While this demonstrates
that the incubator can support the hatching process, the low
hatch rate indicates there is room for improvement to increase
its efficiency and reliability.

ADVANTAGE AND DISADVANTAGES OF INCUBATION:

Advantages:

● Cost-Effective: Building a homemade incubator is

significantly cheaper than purchasing a commercial one.

● Customizable: The design can be adjusted based on

available materials and specific needs.

● Educational Value: Constructing and monitoring a

homemade incubator provides hands-on learning
experience about incubation processes.

Disadvantages:

● Temperature Fluctuations: The homemade incubator

struggles to maintain a consistent temperature, which is
critical for successful hatching.
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● Humidity Control: Maintaining proper humidity levels is

challenging, affecting the development and hatching of the
chicks.
● Manual Monitoring: The need for constant supervision to
adjust temperature and humidity increases the risk of
human error.
● Limited Capacity: The homemade design may hold fewer
eggs compared to commercial incubators.
● Lower Hatch Rate: The observed 30% hatch rate is lower
than what is typically achieved with commercial
incubators, which can reach up to 80-90%.
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BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. The Chicken Encyclopedia

2. “Incubation and Embryology" by Dr. Jacquie Jacob,

University of Kentucky, Extension Publication.

3. Backyard Poultry Magazine -

https://backyardpoultry.iamcountryside.com

4. The Poultry Site - https://www.thepoultrysite.com

5. University of Minnesota Extension - Incubating and

Hatching Eggs - https://extension.umn.edu