DEVELOPMENT AND PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF A HYBRID EGG INCUBATOR

Abstract

Frequent power outages and lack of precision control mechanisms hinder optimal hatchability and productivity in poultry farming, especially in rural areas. This research aimed to develop, construct, and evaluate a hybrid egg incubator that addresses energy instability and enhances environmental control for efficient incubation. The incubator was designed with a dual-mode power system enabling automatic switching between solar (DC) and grid (AC) power, smart Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) controllers for precise regulation of temperature (±0.3°C) and humidity (±2.5% RH), and an Internet of Things (IoT)-based monitoring system using GSM modules for real-time mobile alerts. The system was tested with a 600-egg capacity setup under controlled conditions. Results showed a high hatchability rate of 88.3%, consistent temperature maintenance at 37.5 ± 0.3°C, and stable humidity at 55 ± 5% RH. The incubator proved to be reliable, energy-efficient, and user-friendly, particularly suitable for off-grid or energy-challenged locations. It is recommended for rural poultry farmers and hatchery operators as a cost-effective and sustainable solution to improve productivity and enhance monitoring capabilities in egg incubation operations.