PERFORMANCE EVALUATION AND MODIFICATION OF A KEROSENE FUELED TABLE INCUBATOR

Abstract

A laboratory scale kerosene fueled incubator made of locally available materials was evaluated and modified in order to improve its performance. It has capacity for 30 egg. The defects identified with the incubator during the initial tests were rectified and the incubator was modified. The original design operated within a temperature and relative humidity range of 36.8 – 38.8^o C and 56.5 – 66.5% respectively and had an average percentage hatchability of 75% for domestic fowl eggs. The modified incubator had an average percentage hatchability of 88.4% had operates within a temperature and relative humidity range of 37.0^o – 38.0^oC and 58.0 – 70.0% respectively. The percentage hatchability of the original design compares favourably with the various types of commercial incubators found in literature while the modified incubator performed better. The incubator id recommended for small scale chick production in the tropical region and could be enlarged for medium/large scale chick production.