Copyright © 2020 River Systems - All rights reserved
Copyright © 2020 River Systems - All rights reserved
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EN
EN
In this case, open the incubator and place the egg candler on each egg: the beam of light will allow you to see
the embryo distinctly.
Warning: DO NOT turn or shake the eggs violently. This would lead to the rupture of the chalazae and the
consequent death of the embryo.
6. HATCHING OF THE CHICK
The following operation is very delicate and should be executed quickly to prevent the eggs from cooling. We
suggest that two people perform it in order to reduce the time as much as possible.
Three days before the expected hatching date:
a) – Semiautomatic incubator: remove the metal handle from the front of the incubator
(photo L)
;
– Incubator with egg turning unit OVOMATIC: stop the egg turning unit by unplugging it when the eggs are
in a vertical position: this will facilitate the removal of the egg tray after the eggs have been taken out.
b) Remove the eggs from the swinging tray and place them gently on a blanket or on a specific egg tray.
c) Remove the egg tray
(photo M)
. For the incubator with egg turning unit, to remove the egg tray simply lift
it, pulling it out from the metal tongue of the egg turning unit.
d) Pour 2 or 3 glasses of water into the base of the incubator.
e) Put the supplied hatching floor (removed before the beginning of the incubation) into the base of the
incubator, ensuring that its two plastic tongues cover the internal side of the water openings
(photo N)
so
that the chicks will not fall into them and drown.
f) Distribute the eggs on the hatching floor
(photo O)
grouping them in the centre and close the lid.
g) Fill both basins with lukewarm demineralized water. Once the first egg hatches, the humidity level in the
incubator will rise to over 70%. This is normal.
h) Set the temperature to 37,2°C / 98,96°F (see instructions on 4C).
Attention: make sure to reinsert egg tray correctly for the next incubation cycle. Note for the incubator with
egg turning unit: if after several cycles you notice that the slot in which the unit metal tongue is inserted is too
wide, swap the row with another in the tray.
IMPORTANT
• During the last 3 days do not turn the eggs.
• During the last 3 days do not unnecessarily open the incubator as this would let out the humidity and heat
necessary for the hatching.
• During the hatching phase, keep the machine in a room as dark as possible. This will ensure that the
chicks fidget as little as possible, avoiding internal trauma.
• It is recommended to open the incubator only after having unplugged it,
maximum once a day
to extract
the dried off chicks.
• Keep the newborn chicks in the incubator for about 12 hours. They can stay inside the incubator for 1 or
2 days without drinking or eating without damage.
• Once the scheduled incubation days are over, let the incubator work for 2 or 3 days longer to allow any
late chick to hatch, keeping in mind that these animals will be potentially weak.
SPECIES
FIRST CHECK: START OF INCUBATION
SECOND CHECK: CONTROL OF EMBRYO
Hen
After 8 days
In this phase, the
network of blood ves-
sels in the tip of the
egg is normally visible,
and the embryo has the
appearance of a dark
spot. If the blood ves-
sels are not visible, it
means that the embryo
is dead.
On the 18th day
The embryo is now well
developed and you can
see its breathing which
consists in small move-
ments inside the shell.
If the embryo does not
move even by slightly ro-
tating the egg, it means
that it is dead and must
be removed.
Pheasant
After 8 days
On the 20th day
Guinea fowl
After 8 days
On the 23rd day
Turkey
After 8 days
On the 25th day
Grey partridge/
Partridge
After 8 days
On the 20th day
Peacock
After 9 days
On the 25th day
Goose
After 9 days
On the 27th day
Mallard
After 9 days
On the 24th day
Muscovy duck
After 10 days
On the 30th day
7. FIRST DAYS OF LIFE
Put the chicks in a draught-free room provided with the necessary heat and light where they can be fed and watered.
TIPS:
you can use a carton box big enough to contain a drinker and a feeder (min.50x50 cm / 1,64x1,64
ft). Cover its bottom with wood shavings or with newspaper sheets, to be changed often in order
to prevent the chicks from being in contact with their own excrements. For heating it is possible to use
a heating plate, or you can hang a reflector with an infrared bulb at about 20-25 cm (0,66-0,82 ft) from
the floor, taking care that it is firmly fixed in order to avoid accidents. Adjust the temperature by changing
the height of the reflector. Regarding the nutrition of the chicks, please note that sometimes they start
eating and drinking from the second / third day of life. When placing the chick in the breeding box, wet
its beak and then place it on top of the feeder: to dry its beak the chick will rub it on the feed and it
will start eating. Make sure that the drinker is no higher than 3-4 cm (0,10-0,13 ft), to avoid the risk of
drowning. Pebbles on the bottom of the tray will prevent risks and attract the chick to the water to drink.
8. PROBLEMS THAT MAY ARISE DURING INCUBATION
PROBLEM
POSSIBLE CAUSE
SUGGESTION
Eggs with thin shells
Vitamin D deficiency in parents
Correct the feeding of the parents
and allow them to go scratching
Lack of sunlight
Dirty eggs
Errors in the management of the
nests
Improve the breeding
management
Broken eggs
Errors in the management of the
nests
Improve the breeding
management
Clear eggs
Unsuitable parents
Check the parent stock, their
feeding and the conservation of
the eggs
Storage of eggs at too high an
ambient temperature
Frozen eggs
Old eggs
Lack of vitamin G (riboflavin) in the
daily ration of layers
Vitamin A deficiency in parents
Death of the embryo after 2-3
days of incubation
Vitamin E deficiency in parents
Correct the feeding of the
breeders
Dead embryos at first candling
(5-8 days)
Wrong temperature
Select more carefully the eggs to
incubate and if necessary check
and correct the operation of the
incubator
Insufficient oxygen
Eggs stored for too long
Poor ventilation
Blood rings are visible while
candling (5-8 days)
Bad egg storage
Check the conservation of the
eggs, if necessary check and
correct the operation of the
incubator
Too high temperature during
incubation
Non-developing embryo
Clear eggs
Check the parent stock.
Check the temperature during the
storage of eggs.
Change the temperature during
incubation
Prolonged storage at low
temperatures
Too high or too low temperature
during incubation
Blood rings at a later incubation
stage
Prolonged storage
Check the parent stock.
Check the temperature during the
storage of eggs.
Change the temperature during
incubation
Too high or too low temperature
during incubation
Eggs that explode at 8-14 days
Incubation of dirty eggs
Do not incubate dirty eggs
Embryo that does not develop at
8-14 days
Prolonged storage at low
temperature
Check the conservation of the
eggs, if necessary check and
correct the operation of the
incubator
Too high or too low temperature
during incubation
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