Laminar Airflow: the crucial basis of good incubator design

Dr. Inge van Roovert-Reijrink and Dr. Donna Hill

To optimize hatchability and chick quality, embryo temperature control is crucial. Research has shown that an embryo temperature of 37.8°C throughout incubation results in optimal hatchability and chick quality.

In the last decade, incubator manufacturers have increased the size of their incubators to decrease the cost price. As incubator size increases, it is more difficult to maintain the optimal 37.8°C embryo temperatures uniformly throughout the egg mass. The environment must be uniform to ensure uniform embryo temperatures. This article discusses the factors that create the incubation environment and why uniform airflow, i.e. laminar airflow, is the crucial basis of a good incubator design. Download the entire article via the button below.