Egg Incubation Novogen

1. NOVOgen Incubation
Stéphane Hémon
03/2018

2. Key Points for Hatchery Management
Rules

3. Incubation
Keys points for Optimum chicks Quality
 Hatching Eggs Management: Eggs Quality
 Eggs storage Optimum conditions
 Eggs disinfection - Eggs Pre heating
 Incubation Parameters: Setters Management
 Egg weight loss Management
 Hatching Parameters
 Hatching windows: Main target
 Chicks quality Assessement
 Chicks Dehydration
 Hydrop Early feeding technology

4. Hatching Eggs
Management
Eggs Quality

5. Keep in Mind
 No air cell when laid
 As the egg cools it sucks in
everything on the shell
 Mostly bacteria and fungus
will enter from the top of the
egg.
 Any substance on dirty hands
will be sucked into the egg.
Eggs Quality Main factor for chicks quality
Characteristics of eggs

6. Embryo development start at
ovulation
Laid egg represents 1 days
embryonic growth grade 10
(20,000 - 40,000 cells)

7.  Quality of the hatching egg depends on:
 The sanitary status of the flock
 Nesting material (Automatic vs manual nests)
 Cleaning and disinfection (automatic nests)
 Hygiene status of hatching eggs is determined in the first 3
minutes after lay.
Quality of the hatching Egg

8. An Egg = A potential chick
 Eggs must be collected as soon as possible after lay.
 Clean nests are essential to prevent contamination of hatching
eggs.
 Eggs collection at least 4 times daily.Ideally 5 times (3 times
morning and twice in the afternoon)
 Eggs disinfection as soon as possible.
 Wash and disinfect your hands regularly
 Good Egg management is essential to avoid eggshell contamination
and lost latter on during incubation.

9. Cuticle = Natural defences
The shell is covered in bacteria, which enters very easily
when the shell is still warm.
Hygiene status of hatching
eggs is determined in the
first 3 minutes after lay.

10. Hatching egg management
 Good Hatching Egg
- 50g (depending of the hatchery)
- Laid in a dry nest
- Protected from dust
- Free from feces and organic matter
- Good shell = Solid shell

11. Egg abnormality non suitable for
Incubation
Broken shellCracks
Shape Shell less Thin Shell
Fragile Shell

12. Egg Quality Issues

13. Egg Storage Optimum
conditions

14. Farms storage conditions
Chick quality start at the farm
As soon as possible after lay eggs are store in proper
conditions. Clean place free of dust.
Handling hatching eggs with care is crucial to keep optimum
results.
Proper storage condition is primordial: Temperature < 20°C
and HR > 80%
Fitting
Not Fitting
Room well ventilated with humidifier
Poor ventilation no humidifier
Egg directly on the floor

15. Constant environment conditions prior incubation is mandatory to
achieve optimum hatchability.
Excessive temperature fluctuation can lead to hatchability depletion of up
to 3,5 % (variation of 2 F)
Monitoring egg storage and transportation is necessary to ensure
optimum hatching egg quality
Egg storage temperature variation Impact
Avoid temperature fluctuation = Main key for proper conditions.

16. Egg storage prior to
Incubation

17. Minimum Requirements for optimum
storage
Conditions for Short storage:< 8 days HR 85% Temp 18 °C
Conditions for Long storage > 9 days HR 90% Temp 12 °C
If storage longer than a week turning eggs is necessary to reduce
embryo mortality , minimum four times daily.
Hatchability and Chicks vitality will be improved if eggs are turned
during storage.
Keep in Mind that Embryo develops at a temperature ranging
from 21-to 23°C. Store eggs below < 20°C
Storage temperature will depend on storage length, It can be
useful to have two storage rooms.(one for short storage /one for
long storage)

18. Storage conditions for optimal results
Optimum conditions
Period of storage
1-2 days 3-4 days 5-6 days 7-8 days 9-12 days 13-16 days 17-20 days
Temperature
19.0°C
(66.2°F)
17.0°C
(62.6°F)
15.5°C
(59.9°F)
14.0°C
(57.2°F)
12.5°C
(54.5°F)
12.0°C
(53.6°F)
11.5°C
(52.7°F)
Relative
Humidity
(%)
70.0 80.0 85.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0
Turning No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes

19. Effects of storage on Hatchability/PH and
albumen

20. Turning eggs for longer term storage

21. Eggs Disinfection

22. Eggs sanitizing: Disinfection
 Egg disinfection
As soon as possible after collection
Before the air cell is formed.
On selected egg ie good shell quality.
Egg disinfection has a Major role in the prevention from
contamination.
It’s essential to do everything in order to assure the
disinfection program.

23. Egg disinfection method
 Fumigation => formalin
 Spraying => quaternary ammonium, glutaraldehyde, hydrogen peroxide etc…
 Egg washing: bath > 40°C, solution need to be change frequently.

24. Eggs sanitizing: Disinfection
Formalin
The most commonly used method. The Most efficient till now.
Effective in reducing contamination over the surface of the shell.
Fully effective in specific environmental conditions:
Temperature > 24°C.
Relative humidity >70%.
Dosage: 21 grams of KMnO4 and 43 ml of formalin at 37.5% per m3.
More effective if plastic or setter trays are used.

25. Egg Sanitizing: Disinfection
Be aware over fumigation can be detrimental for embryo.
Formalin dosage should be calculated according to room volume.
Initial Disinfection: 1 m3 = 21g KMNO4+ 43 ML Formalin
Ensuring a weekly setter disinfection in order to reduce bacteria level and
to avoid setter contamination is recommended.
Avoid freshly incubated eggs < 4 days.
Dosage: 2L Formalin + 8L water evaporation in a plate. 10 ML/M3
Keep in mind: Conditions in Setters are perfect for bacteria
development.(humidity and temperature).

26. Eggs Pre Heating

27. Hatchery - Incubation
Pre heating
Main Goal is to co-ordinate embryo development
To reduce the hatch window and improve chick quality
Pre heating at 88 F (31°C) for 5 hours is Common.
Pre heating at 77 F (25 °C) for 8 to 12 hours between setters

28. Incubation Parameters
Setters Management

29. Hatchery - Incubation
 Parameters
 To be adapted at each hatchery single stage or Multi stage
parameters
 Optimum Incubation Room Environment
 Temperature : 25°C
 Humidity : 50-55%
 Air volume 1-1,5 m3 / hour / 100 eggs

30. Single Stage link with Optimum
hatchability and chick quality
Target from 1 to 10 days 100-100,5F
Target from 11 to transfer 99,5-100F
Setters design is crucial to obtain uniform
eggshell temperatures.
Air velocity has to be the same throughout
the setter to reduce variation in eggshell
temperatures.
Data loggers can be used to record
incubation conditions temperature and
humidity.
Thermoscan can be used to record
temperature at the equator of the egg
and to change the profile if necessary.
In order to ensure good air velocity, air
fan speed need to be check regulary
Egg shell temperature Risk Areas

31. Setter Profile single stage
Setter Cumberland
Pre Heat time 5 hours at 88F (31°C) with 50% of humidity
Dampers 65% open during pre-heat.
Dampers closed 10 days for optimum vascularisation
Turning frequency 1 time per hour.

32. Incubation Parameters Single Stage Petersime
336 FR
Internal egg Temp 99,5 to 100F till transfer
Internal egg Temp 100
to 100,5 F till 9 days
Gradual increase of C02 and humidity at the
beginning of incubation has a positive effect
on relative growth.
1 2
1= Endothermic Period 2= Exothermic Period

33. Egg Weight loss Management

34. Egg weight loss management (EWLM)
A good Egg weight loss management
=
Good chick quality
A good monitoring is necessary to ensure a correct
embryo development.
Factors affecting WL: Ambient humidity/Egg
weight/Eggshell quality
Target to achieve at transfer (18 d) : 11 to 12% to
optimize embryo development and chick quality.
Optimum weight loss can only be achieved by
managing humidity level during incubation.
HR range from 80 to 86F according to egg weight loss.

35. 35
Air chamber size and humidity level
in incubation
Air chamber size is
fluctuating according to
humidity in setter.
Adjustment of humidity level
according to weight loss is
crucial to reach optimum
hatchability and chick quality.
According to age flock shell
conductance will change.

36. Water loss effects on hatchability and
chick quality
36
 Water loss too low: < 11%
small air chamber
Hatching difficulties
Head oedema
Red hocks
Thick belly
Unhealed navel
High percentage of
DIS

37. Eggs Weight loss Recommendations
> 13% risk of dehydration, chicks more
sensitive to bacteria infection
< 11% inactif chicks more prone
to omphalitis

38. Moisture Loss
Correct Range (11.0 to 12.5%)
9,5
10
10,5
11
11,5
12
12,5
13
13,5
14
Young "35 week & below" Prime "36-42 weeks" Old "43 weeks & above"
Flock Age Moisture Loss Jan-2015 --YTD
Young Average= 11.35
Prime Average= 11.62
Old Average= 12.30

39. Weight loss 10.81%
Yolk Sac Attached to Navel (Temp too Cool)
Weight Loss 12.06%
Yolk Sac Un-Attached-(Temp is in the Proper Range)
Moisture Loss
Impact on chicks

40. Hatching Parameters
Hatchers Management

41. Hatching Parameters: Hatchers
Management
 Parameters
 To be adapted at each hatchery
 Hatch window target < 30h
 Disinfection prior hatching by evaporation
 Plate in each hatcher at 19-20 days
 500 ml of 18-20% formalin
 After 5% chicks hatched
 Room environment
 Temperature : 25°C
 Humidity : 55-60%
 Air volume supply-3,5 to 4 m3 / hour / 100 eggs

42. Hatcher Profile
Hatcher capacity 19200 eggs
Total incubation Hours for optimum result 510 H
Decrease temperature in hatcher as soon as possible after
hatching.
it’s possible to decrease to 96F (36°C) to avoid panting and
dehydration.

43. Hatching Windows

44. What is the Hatch window:
Time span between the hatching of the first chick and the last
chick after the eggs transferred into the hatcher.
What do we want to reach: Target
20h before chick pulling: 20% of chicks hatched maximum
12h before chick pulling: 80% of chicks hatched maximum
Improvement and management of the
hatching windows: the key points

45. Target to achieve
20
80
100
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
20H 12H 0H
%Hatched
Hours before Pull
Hatch window target
%Hatched

46. The Hatch Window
influence of the air flow
Uniform air flow = optimum condition
all egg at 100 F (range 99,5-100,5F)
Narrow hatch window
Good hatchability and optimum chick
quality
Air flow fluctuations = EST
fluctuations
 Wide hatch window
Hatchability and chick quality
affected

47. Key factors affecting the hatch window
Similar egg Characteristics and embryo development at
setting is crucial
Uniformity of conditions in setter/hatcher
Equipment design, incubation profile
Monitoring the hatching window is a way to ensure that all
the processes are optimum to achieve delivery of good chick
quality.
The hatching window is the real indicator of all the processes
from the time of oviposition.

48. Impact of the hatch window on Chick
quality
The hatch window is affecting chick uniformity:
If wide > 30h : uniformity of chicks will be affected
If Narrow: Optimum chick uniformity
If the hatch window is too wide:
part of the chick will be dehydrated and
flock uniformity will be affected.

49. Hatch window and Pulling time
Chick in a thermo neutral
state or not?
Conditions?
471H
19J15H
484H
20J04H
504H
Temperatures Conditions in
hatcher after the peak of
hatching need to be
manage

50. Monitor the Hatch Window
Humidity Hatch Curve (30 Hrs)
35,0
40,0
45,0
50,0
55,0
60,0
65,0
Humidity
Start to End of Hatch
Setter 37 – Hatcher 29 – 6/1/2015
Post-Transfer
Holding
Post-Hatch Holding
98.5-97.8
96.9-96.0 or lower
as needed
97.8-96.9
30H

51. Chick quality Assessment

52. What factors affect chick quality?
Breeder flock source
Age, disease status
Egg handling ,On the farm, in transit,
and in the hatchery
Hatchery Management, sanitation and equipment maintenance
Chick processing and delivery
Brooding management

53. Quality control

54. First grade chicks
Weight: average of 40 g, 67-68 % of the initial egg weight
Activity must be good (will come back on its legs quickly if on his back)
Down must be clean and dry
Abdomen must be soft and normal size
Eyes open.
Legs normal balance
Umbilicus: well closed and dry
No residual membrane
No residual egg yolk

55. Monitoring chick yield
Average chick weight/ Average egg weight
 Counting/weighing first grade chicks to calculate
average chick weight
 Average eggs weight from a tray.
Target for best chick quality is 67-68 %
Egg weight lost 11 to 12%
Adjustment of the setting hours can be done
If 66% Eggs setting must be set 3h later
< 67% 67-68% >68%
Hatched In advance Good activity Just hatched
Temperature too high Optimum chicks quality Temperature too low
HR too low HR too high
Risk of Dehydratation
Noisy Chicks
Actif Less actif

56. Chick Quality Issues = Improper conditions
Navel issues are related to setter/Hatcher management
HH-CT = high humidity cold temperature
LH-HT = low humidity hot temperature
HH-CT issues LH-HT issues LH-HT issues
HH-CT issues LH-HT issuesLH-HT issues

57. Navel Examination
Navel Examination should be performed after hatched to detect any failure in
the incubation or Hatching Process
High percentage of Second grade chicks is mainly due to setters/hatchers
failure.
Setters and hatchers Maintenance is primordial to reach good performance.

58. What causes dehydration? Hatchery Issues
Incorrect pull times from the hatchers.
Chicks are in the hatchers too long.
Young breeder flocks are more prone to
dehydration.
Hot spots – machine maintenance issues
and ventilation issues
Overheating chicks in the hatcher,
hallways or chick room.
Improper chicks holding area conditions
Chicks dehydration

59. Panting Chicks (heat stress) Must be avoid
Panting Chicks: must be avoid, will affect mortality rate and
body weight at 7 and 10 days
Keep in mind that keeping chicks too long at high
temperatures is affecting the growth.
Narrow hatching windows Necessary to avoid chicks
dehydration and to keep a good uniformity
Chick pulling Management Remove chicks as soon as
possible from the Hatcher
Chick in optimum conditions (Rectal temp 104/105F) are
losing 1 to 2 g/24h.Should be maintained until delivery (40 to
40,6°C)
Chick in non optimum conditions (Rectal temp >106F) are
losing 5 to 10g/24h (more than 15 % of its body weight)

60. Hydrop Early feeding technology

61. Hydro Drop Application and Early Feeding

62. Hydration & Dietary Supplements
for Transportation
• Hydration and
nutritional supplement
in a cut gel format for
commercial hatchling
transport.
• HydroGel 95: < 36 hr.
transport.
• DietGel: Higher
nutritional content; >
36 hr. transport.

63. GelDrop® Technology Development
Ingredient Availability
Opportunity for Preening
Consumption
Inoculation
Topical Delivery
+
Gel Physical
Properties

64. GelDrop® Technology – Droplet Size & Adhesion

66. Spray bar;
height
adjustable
Electric eye
reflector -
adjustable
Spray
manifold w/
70 nozzles
Control
box w/
relay
switch and
circuitry
5 gal.
Pressure
Tank

67. Chick Body Temp Change-Thermal Camera—
Cocci-Vac vs. Hydro-Drop (Dietary Aid)
Testing Completed Pikeville, TN. (6-18-15)
Water/Coccivac Dietary Aid
Sample Change
1 -9.1°F
2 -6.8°F
3 -7.5°F
Average -7.8°F
Sample Change
1 -2.1°F
2 -1.8°F
3 -2.9°F
Average -2.3°F

68. Conclusion
Many factors are involved in incubation
Uniformity of egg temperature is the most important factor.
Some related to the setter/hatcher design and profile (single stage/Multi
stage) others related to egg characteristics.
Post hatched uniformity cannot be optimum without a proper
management of the hatch window and chick pulling.
Running a step down program according to chicks conditions in Hatcher is
necessary to ensure optimum chick quality.
Such program will ensure less stress for the chick and improvement at
rearing farm in term of 7 days mortalities.
Early feeding at the hatchery is a way to ensure a good body weight at 7
days.

69. Thank-you

70. Different Breeds According to Countries
NOVOgen BROWN
NOVOgen BROWN
Light
NOVOgen
WHITE Light
NOVOgen WHITE
NOVOgen TINTED

71. NOVOgen BROWN =
Optimization of the technical and
economical results
 Excellent behaviour : easy to manage
in the rearing and production farms
=> Good liveability
 High egg production (Peak +
Persistancy)
 High egg quality (Shell coloration,
Shell strenght)
 Excellent FCR
NOVOgen BROWN CS field performances

72. NOVOgen TINTED
NOVOgen TINTED =
Optimization of the technical and
economical results
 Excellent behavior : easy to manage in
the rearing and production farms => Good
liveability
 High egg production (Peak +
Persistency)
 High egg quality (Shell strenght) and
tinted color eggs.
 Excellent FCR

73. NOVOgen WHITE =
Optimization of the technical and
economical results
 Excellent behavior : easy to manage
in the rearing and production farms
=> Good liveability
 High egg production (Peak +
Persistency)
 High egg quality (Shell strength)
 Excellent FCR
NOVOgen WHITE CS field performances

74. Rearing and Production Performances

75. Performances Per Hen 18-90 Weeks

76. Example of integration
French Market Evolution 2015-2017
Pullet Placement
36,3
28,9
27,9
4,2
2
24,5
27,7
30,5
13,2
1,8
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
Hyline Lohmann Hendrix Novogen Tetra
Evolution 2015 - 2017 Pullet Placement
2015 2017
Strongest Positive Evolution for NOVOGEN +9% in two years time.

77. Evolution 2015-2017 FR
-11,8
-1,2
2,6
9
-0,2
-15
-10
-5
0
5
10
15
Hyline Lohmann Hendrix Novogen Tetra
Pullet Placement Tendancy 2015 - 2017
Very good evolution for
NOVOGEN +9% in two years time.
Mains reasons are egg quality
and customers satisfaction !

78. Why Such Evolution for Novogen??
 More Positif points versus competitors:
 Rearing:
 Birds Behavior Novo easy to manage Excellent behavior
 Very good liveability
 Production:
 Good liveability
 Laying Peak > 93% (50% at 20 weeks)
 Very Good persistency
 Performance per hen very good (Egg Number/Mass/Egg weight)
 Low cost “Breed Efficiency”

79. Internal Comparison
All genetics in same conditions

80. Thank you for
your attention!

81. Disclaimer
The performance data contained in this document was obtained
from results and experience from our own research flocks and flocks
of our customers. In no way does the data contained in this
document constitute a warranty or guarantee of the same
performance under different conditions of nutrition, density or
physical or biological environment. In particular (but without
limitation of the foregoing) we do not grant any warranties regarding
the fitness for purpose, performance, use, nature or quality of the
flocks. NOVOGEN makes no representation as to the accuracy or
completeness of the information contained in this document.