Performance Evaluation of a 344-Egg Automatic Incubator with Temperature-Humidity Regulation and Periodic Rack Turning

Abstract

This study evaluates an automatic poultry egg incubator designed for 344 chicken eggs. The prototype combines temperature regulation, humidity monitoring, and periodic rack turning to reduce manual handling during a 21-day incubation cycle. The operating temperature is maintained within 38-39°C, while the humidity setting is 55-70%. A digital temperature sensor, hygrometer, Arduino Uno controller, relay module, heating lamp, ventilation fan, and DC rack-turning motor form the sensing-control-actuation chain. Hatching performance was assessed by classifying the 344 incubated eggs into normal hatch, defective hatch, dead embryo, and no-embryo outcomes. The test produced 327 normal chicks, 10 defective chicks, 5 dead embryos, and 2 eggs without embryos. The proportion of normal hatches was 95.06%, indicating that the incubator can sustain the environmental and mechanical conditions required for high-capacity chicken egg incubation. The study emphasises integrated operation and outcome-based performance rather than only controller implementation.