The specific requirements and sensitivities of turkey egg incubation

Re-Store treatments on eggs stored for an extended period of time improve hatchability by restoring cell growth and survivability of eggs returning to storage. Not only does this procedure improve viability of the fertile eggs; it also lends itself – in combination with setter and hatcher technology – to achieving a more narrow hatch window. 

Distinctive setter technology

By automatically adapting the incubation environment to the needs of each specific batch of turkey eggs, Petersime’s Embryo-Response Incubation™ technology maximizes the number of top-quality poults, while also safeguarding animal welfare. 

A developing embryo sheds two waste products – CO₂ and water. By shedding water progressively, an egg reduces in weight. Weight loss in a fertile egg manifests itself in the size of the air cell on the blunt end of the egg. Turkey eggs need to lose the correct amount of water (weight) to allow the embryos to build a healthy air cell size needed for pulmonary respiration. When incubation commences, measuring and applying setpoints to CO₂, as well as making the CO₂ level guide the ventilation rates, can spare the embryo from any dramatic changes to its gaseous environment. In this way, the environment can be tailored to the specific and ever-changing gaseous exchange requirements of the embryo to stimulate strong vascular development and achieve target weight loss figures. 

An automated eggshell temperature measurement device can make it possible to control the environment of the developing and constantly changing embryo so that it can thrive in an ideal environment for all its needs specific to its stage of development. Trials with turkeys have shown that the critical transition from the endothermic to exothermic phases of incubation require a lower temperature than other species. Therefore, Petersime has developed a specific turkey eggshell temperature program that is unique compared to other species. 

The turkey industry is also unique in itself because of the varying market requirements: Some markets prefer small-framed turkeys, some medium-framed, and yet others want very large-framed birds. These differences are even present during the embryological stage and can require different temperature environments. To cater for this, the eggshell temperature program, which is gradually and progressively lowered from the beginning of the exothermic phase through to transfer, can be adjusted according to the size of the turkey breed being incubated. This principle should always be adhered to, irrespective of turkey breed. 

Correct hatcher management

The hatching of turkey poults is an art in itself. While other species might be forgiving of hatcher environment mismanagement, turkeys are not. Indeed, there are many species-specific considerations that make correct management of the hatcher most critical. 

To develop the ideal hatcher environment for turkeys, Petersime has conducted trials looking into different fan speeds and the impact this control factor has on key moments in the hatching process. By progressively lowering fan speeds during the period of hatching, a precise fan speed was found at which mortality significantly decreased. The conclusion drawn was that fan speeds directly impact the energy levels the poults must expend during hatching. Higher fan speeds caused energy depletion, i.e. poults were unable to complete the process of hatching. Reduced fan speeds were friendlier to the poults and enabled them to complete the hatching process without succumbing to exhaustion. This led to the development of a turkey hatcher with fan speeds that differ from the programs used for other species. 

Managing humidity in the turkey hatcher may not be unique in itself, but it is certainly defining to Petersime’s Embryo-Response Incubation™ technology. As the poults are particularly temperature-sensitive, the action of spraying causes the temperature to fluctuate. It is therefore better to avoid the use of humidity sprays. Humidity is, however, essential during hatching to keep the shell membranes moisturized. To enable a humidity-rich environment that is conducive to the hatching poults fully extracting themselves from their shells, Petersime’s technology lets the level of CO₂ control the level of ventilation, in the same way it was done in the setter. 

To stimulate late-hatching birds to complete their hatch, Petersime’s incubation program calls for an increase in CO₂. To accommodate for this, ventilation levels are reduced. As this coincides with the hatching of the eggs, naturally released humidity will be captured inside the machine. This humidity has no detrimental effect on the temperature. On the contrary, it helps moisturize shell membranes, thereby allowing poults to hatch without expending too much energy. Timing, here, is critical for success. If CO₂ is increased too early, the late hatching poults will grow accustomed to their environment and will no longer perceive it as a stimulus. Ideally, the process corresponds with the commencement of the hatch, tightening the hatch window and reducing the incidence of pipped alive poults. This completes the work kickstarted by the Re-Store heat treatment and maintained by the setter. 

Rely on Petersime’s turkey incubation equipment

In conclusion, turkeys imply many species-specific considerations when it comes to incubation management. Petersime’s suite of incubation equipment — with its unique Embryo-Response Incubation™ technology — gives turkey hatcheries the luxury of being able to identify the critical details, and the assurance of knowing that they can cater to them precisely. By understanding where the gains in turkey hatchability can be found and by correctly using the Petersime technology, there is an amazing scope for continuous improvement. Please don’t hesitate to contact us for more information.