Restoration / Performance Evaluation Of Locally Manufactured Egg Incubator

ABSTRACT

The locally manufactured egg incubation was designed and fabricated using available construction materials to reduce cost. The equipment was test run, Considering the following conditions; Heat requirement that ranged from 37•50 C to 38.0°C provided by a heating element; Humidity requirement that ranges between 60% to 80% with specific surface area; ventilation requirement for providing the necessary oxygen and removal of carbon dioxide which is enabled by a fan and vent holes and the turning mechanism which ensures that the egg is slanted 450 from rest. This is initiated by an electric motor and it is done to prevent the embryo from sticking to the egg shell. The physical machine test run after restorationand the result of the modelling and (thermal)heat distribution simulation using matlab showed that efficiency of the machine is 80%. With the confirmation of the heat distribution simulation and operational modelling of the incubation we assure that the incubator will perform excellently well. This equipment when fine-tuned further will serve the purpose of small scale farmers who caimot afford the expensive imported model. Secondly, because of the indigenous technology involved, the maintenance will not be a problem