Low-Cost Egg Incubator-cum-Hatchery Technology for Small Farmers: Design, Evaluation and Impact on Rural Backyard Poultry Production

Abstract

Artificial incubation is an essential requirement for improved backyard poultry breeds due to their lack of broody behaviour. However, commercially available incubators are costly and inaccessible to small farmers. This study developed and evaluated a low-cost egg incubator-cum-hatchery constructed from a discarded Thermocol fish box integrated with a digital thermostat, exhaust fan, and filament bulbs. The total fabrication cost was ₹1,740 excluding inverter and battery (₹15,240 with full backup system). The incubator has a capacity of 50–80 eggs depending on egg size. Artificial incubation was carried out following the principles of temperature, humidity, ventilation, and turning (THVT). Hatchability trials using eggs from four poultry breeds—Local, Sonali, Srinidhi and Kamrupa—yielded hatchability percentages of 72%, 78%, 70%, and 76%, respectively. Economic analysis showed that although standalone operation with a single incubator is less profitable, profitability significantly increases when one battery–inverter system supports five incubators simultaneously. At full-capacity cluster use, the system generated an annual net income of ₹1,14,022.56. This innovation provides an affordable, farmer-operated hatchery technology capable of ensuring continuous chick supply in remote rural areas, thus strengthening backyard poultry production and rural livelihoods.