Hatchery Ventilation

➢ Good ventilation cannot be taken for granted in the hatchery without adverse effects.
➢ Good ventilation is the foundation for good chicks’ performance.
➢ Right ventilation in the hatchery will help achieve a timely hatch, prevent bacterial contamination,
ensure high chicks quality, help avoid ascites and contribute to the overall hatchery performance.
But why is Ventilation Important?
➢ Successful embryonic development process requires 19.6% O2 by volume of air in the machine
➢ Supply of fresh air (O2) and evacuation of stale air (CO2) is controlled by the ventilation.
➢ Fresh air is also required to cool down developing embryos as they become exothermic during
the incubation period, to avoid rapid development and dehydration.
➢ Poor ventilation subjects chicks to stress, leading to impaired growth, and slow development of
the circulatory system and reduce the efficiency of the yolk.
➢ Ascites may occur due to decreased capillary flow.
How to Achieve a Good Ventilation System
➢ Pressure controls must work properly. The fresh air intake side of the machine must maintain a
positive pressure while the exhaust must maintain a neutral pressure.
➢ Systems must be properly designed, installed, monitored and controlled to address the
following:
• Air volume to meet oxygen demand, evening in high altitudes.
• Pressure control throughout the hatchery
• Humidity control for good air quality
• Temperature requirements
➢ Understand, measure and monitor pressure inside the fresh air area

N/B: pressure controls the air movement and manages air volume supply.

• Positive pressure in the room indicates that available air supply is more than demand
• Neutral pressure indicates that the fresh air supply is equal to the fresh air demand
• Negative pressure calls for concern as the supply of fresh air is less than the required volume
RECOMMENDED PRESSURE SCALES AND AIR

VOLUME REQUIRED BY HATCHERY AREA

Room/plenum Air Exchange Pressures

Egg Holding 2.00 CFMS/1000 eggs .000-.005 (+)

Incubator 8-12 CFMS/1000 eggs .015-.020 (+)

Hatcher 17-25 CFMS/1000 eggs .005-.010 (+)

Hallway 5/minute/ air exchange .000

Pull out 40-60 CFMS/1000 chicks .010-.020 (-)

Clean holding 1/minute/room vol. .020-.025 (+)

Chick holding 40-60 CFMS/1000 chicks .000-.005 (-)

All wash area 1/ minute air exchange .020-.025 (-)

Exhaust Equal to machine demand .000 even

However, a complete ventilation program should prevent eggs from excessive moisture loss. Use of
humidifier and heater work in antagony. The best way to provide humidity is through steam humidity.
An equilibrium among temperature, humidity and fresh air supply is very important in incubation.

TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY REQUIREMENTS BY HATCHERY AREA

Room/Plenum Temperature Range R/H (%)

Egg Holding 65-68⁰F (18-20⁰C) 65

Incubator Room 75-80⁰F (24-27⁰C) 55

Hatcher 75-80⁰F (24-47⁰C) 55

Chick Holding 75-78⁰F (24-26⁰C) 70

WHAT HATCHERY MANAGERS SHOULD DO?

➢ Keep all doors closed at all times.

➢ Fresh air supply, air volume demand and exhaust be balanced always.
➢ Have a reliable HVAC system running always to maintain this ideal environment in the hatchery
➢ Use mechanically controlled exhaust as opposed to chimney exhaust
➢ Any variable speed fan that controls pressure in a room or plenum must have a good back draft
shutter.