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Incubation 57

humidities at different dry temperatures. If the wick is not rinsed daily and changed at frequent
intervals, increasingly inaccurate readings will result and it may become a source of contamination
in the incubator. Dial hygrometers give direct relative humidity readings but must be calibrated for
the humidity range in which they are used. Digital hygrometers are the most accurate and reliable,
but it is important to buy a high‐quality model and to calibrate them at least annually.
Precise scales are essential for effective egg weight‐loss management. Digital scales are more
affordable than in the past. Scales should be laboratory quality, if possible. The range of egg sizes
seen in the hatchery will determine the capacity and weighing increments needed for effective egg
weight‐loss management. For eggs weighing less than 30 g at lay, the scale should weigh in incre-
ments of and have an accuracy of 0.01 g. For eggs greater than 30 g but less than 500 g, increments
and accuracy of at least 0.1 g are needed. If the only eggs incubated are from large ratites and weigh
over 500 g, whole gram increments and accuracy are sufficient.
In most hatcheries, it is important to have an egg candler with the greatest light intensity
available. The original Lyon High‐Intensity Zoo Model Candler (Lyon Electric), which used a
halogen bulb, is still in use in many facilities. Lyon later replaced this with an LED model. An
old‐fashioned slide projector, adapted to focus the beam and prevent light leaks, works nearly
as well as the original halogen candler. The technology for tactical LED flashlights (Fenix,
Surefire, and others) has advanced, and models providing 1000 lumens or more can be an
excellent option for candling, with a home‐made cone‐shaped aperture. For facilities incubat -
ing only small, white eggs, such as parrots, less powerful candlers are fine. LED flashlights
available in hardware stores work well for this and those with a flexible neck are ideal for
checking small eggs in the nestbox. Prototype models of infrared and ultraviolet light candlers
have been used for imaging with eggs that are difficult to candle with white light, but are not
commercially available.
A room dehumidifier is necessary in humid climates and with species whose eggs have difficulty
losing sufficient weight such as condors and ostrich. An emergency back‐up generator is indispen-
sable, even if it produces only enough power to run one machine. A portable incubator/brooder
can be quite useful, especially if eggs must be transported long distances between facilities or from
the field, or in freezing weather. A small portable brooder (Avey Incubators) may be used on an
airplane (contact the airline well in advance for security assistance) and can be run on 110 V house-
hold current, a car cigarette lighter outlet, or portable batteries.

Hatchery Sanitation

A rigorous sanitation protocol will minimize egg and chick mortality due to infection. Access to
the hatchery should be restricted to essential personnel and only the equipment and supplies in
immediate use should be stored in the rooms.
Before the onset of the breeding season each year, the hatchery and all its equipment should be
thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. A strong disinfectant such as Rescue (formerly Accel; Virox
Technologies) or Virkon-S (Virkon), is recommended. The interiors of incubators and hatchers are
now most often disinfected with such a product between uses but great care must be taken to rinse
and air all parts and ensure that sensitive electronics are not damaged, as the solution is somewhat
corrosive. In the past, formaldehyde fumigation was the preferred method, but due to serious
human health hazards this is now strictly regulated or prohibited by state laws. All machines
should have any needed annual maintenance done, and then be run to test and stabilize them
before eggs are likely to arrive.