From SetGate to Three-Phase Incubation

Driven by biology. Proven by results. 

For over 30 years, HatchTech has focused on staying as close as possible to the natural biological process — always putting biology first. By combining insights from the past with the latest technology, we have continuously developed innovations that improve hatchery performance. 

Three-Phase incubation builds on that foundation. While the concept has been explored internally for years, SetGate now makes it possible to put it into practice. Making this the right moment to introduce Three-Phase Incubation to the industry. 

 

Creating a Cleaner Incubation Environment

SetGate shifts candling from day 18 to as early as day 9, enabling the early identification and removal of infertile eggs and non-viable embryos. These are exactly the eggs where bacteria can develop and multiply. By removing them before bacterial pressure builds up, hatcheries can protect viable embryos from contamination and support optimal chick development. 

Key advantages: 

• Removal of infertile eggs and early/mid-dead embryos with close to 100% accuracy 
• Reduced bacterial pressure throughout incubation, resulting in a cleaner environment for viable embryos 
• Prevention of bangers, limiting extreme contamination events 
• More efficient use of incubation capacity through the Review-Reject-Refill concept 

These improvements form the foundation for a new approach to incubation. 

Learn more about SelEggt’s SetGate solution in the brochure below ↓

 

Three-Phase Incubation 

A new standard in incubation 

By enabling early candling, SetGate allows the incubation process to be divided into three distinct, biologically aligned phases: 

• Phase 1 (Day 0–9)
  Eggs are incubated until the moment of early candling with SetGate, where non-viable and infertile eggs are removed. 

• Phase 2 (Day 9–18)
  Eggs continue in the setters. Due to the extremely high accuracy of the early candling by SetGate, candling on day 18 is no longer required. 

• Phase 3 (from Day 18 onwards)
  Eggs are transferred directly into the hatchers, without additional candling. 

This three-phase approach challenges the long-standing two-phase standard in the industry. 

Discover the full concept and visual overviews in the Three-Phase Incubation brochure below ↓

 

Further Performance Improvements 

While not essential to the Three-Phase Incubation concept, additional technologies can further enhance results across each phase of the process. 

Using SetCare in phase 1 has been shown to reduce mortality and results in 3.3% more first-grade chicks. In the final phase, HatchCare improves chick quality by providing immediate access to feed, water and light after hatching. 

 

World Poultry Article 

In a World Poultry interview, our CEO Tjitze Meter and Senior Scientist Dr Jan Wijnen share insights into the development of Three-Phase incubation and its impact on the industry. 

Read the full article below ↓