Hatchery Tour

Summary

This video takes viewers inside an Ontario hatchery, explaining the process from fertilized eggs arriving at the facility to newly hatched chicks being sorted. Fertilized eggs are carefully incubated in a controlled environment for 18-19 days, then scanned for viable embryos and vaccinated. After hatching, chicks are sexed based on wing feather length and undergo a quality control check. The healthy chicks are then packed safely and sent to farms for raising. The video offers a detailed look at the careful and automated processes that ensure the chicks' health and well-being from start to finish.

Takeaways

• 😀 Fertilized eggs are transported to the hatchery daily from local farms.
• 😀 Eggs are stored in a cool and humidity-controlled holding room for quality control and tracking.
• 😀 The eggs are incubated for 18 to 19 days in automated rooms with controlled temperature, airflow, humidity, and CO2 levels.
• 😀 During incubation, the eggs are gently tilted to maintain optimal conditions for the embryos and prevent membrane sticking.
• 😀 The embryos receive their necessary nutrients from the yolk sac inside the egg.
• 😀 After incubation, eggs are scanned to confirm the presence of viable embryos.
• 😀 Viable embryos are vaccinated to protect them from diseases before hatching.
• 😀 After vaccination, eggs are moved to hatching trays and placed in hatching rooms, where chicks hatch within 2-3 days.
• 😀 Newly hatched chicks have absorbed their nutritional yolk sac, which sustains them for up to 72 hours.
• 😀 Chicks are sexed and sorted based on the length of their primary wing feathers, distinguishing males from females.
• 😀 Chicks are inspected for health, ensuring only strong and healthy chicks leave the hatchery for farms.

Q & A

What is the first step when fertilized eggs arrive at the hatchery?

The fertilized eggs are moved into a holding room that is both cool and humidity-controlled to ensure proper storage before incubation.

Why are the egg trays clearly marked at the hatchery?

The egg trays are marked for quality control and tracking purposes, allowing the hatchery to monitor the eggs and ensure proper handling throughout the process.

How long do the eggs remain in the incubators?

The eggs stay in the incubators for between 18 and 19 days, where they undergo controlled conditions necessary for embryo development.

What role do the large fans inside the incubation rooms play?

The fans help maintain steady temperature, air flow, humidity, and CO2 levels, ensuring that the embryos inside the eggs develop in a stable environment.

What is the purpose of gently tilting the egg trays during incubation?

Tilting the trays ensures proper temperature distribution, prevents the shell membranes from sticking to the egg, and helps maintain optimal conditions for the embryos.

How are the eggs checked for viability after the incubation period?

The eggs are scanned by a special device that checks each egg for the presence of a viable embryo. Only eggs with viable embryos proceed to the next step.

Why are the eggs vaccinated after being confirmed viable?

The eggs are vaccinated to protect the newly hatched chicks from diseases, ensuring they have a healthy start after hatching.

How long does the hatching process take?

The hatching process can take between two and three days, during which the chicks break free from their eggs and begin their development.

What is the purpose of the yolk sac that the chicks absorb after hatching?

The yolk sac provides essential nutrition to the chicks and sustains them for up to 72 hours after hatching, until they are able to eat on their own.

How are the chicks sorted after hatching?

The chicks are sexed and sorted based on the length of their primary wing feathers. This helps differentiate between male and female chicks.