Incubation method and process

• US 4,378,758 A
• Filed: 06/29/1979
• Issued: 04/05/1983
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gerald L. Smith, Jerry K. Mueller Jr
• Original Assignee: Gerald L. Smith, Jerry K. Mueller Jr
• Inventors: Coleman, Marilyn A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chamblee, Hugh R.
• Application Number:
  US06/053,407
• Time in Patent Office: 1,376 Days
• Field of Search: 119/35, 119/37, 119/38, 119/43, 119/44
• US Class Current: 119/300
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 41/00 Incubators for poultry

Abstract

Process and apparatus for photoaccelerating the development of eggs such as chicken eggs. The eggs are arranged in an incubator such that the air cells thereof are disposed upwardly. During incubation the eggs are exposed to radiation in the visible spectra through the air cell during the period of buoyancy of the embryo. Preferred regions of the spectrum are the blue region, red region and yellow region. The apparatus of the invention provides for the transmission of light by fiber optics to the air cell region of each egg from light sources disposed adjacent egg carrying racks within the incubator.

Claims

1. The method for improving the hatchability, feed efficiency and grow-out of fowl comprising the steps of:

positioning fowl eggs in an incubator having a controlled humidity and temperature environment, said eggs being positioned with the air cell upwardly disposed; and

exposing each said egg at the shell portion adjacent said air cell thereof to radiation selected from the group of regions of the visible spectrum consisting of the yellow region, the red region, the blue region and combinations thereof, said exposure being substantially over the period of buoyancy of the embryo, said radiation having an intensity at each said egg of a level wherein the internal temperature of said egg is not substantially affected thereby.

2. The method for improving the production of fowl of claim 1 wherein said eggs are exposed to said radiation substantially throughout the period of incubation thereof.

3. The method for improving the hatchability, feed efficiency and grow-out of avian eggs comprising the steps of

positioning said eggs within an incubator having a controlled humidity and temperature in a manner wherein the air cell of each said egg is upwardly disposed;

and

exposing each said egg at the shell portion adjacent the said air cell to radiation selected from the group of regions of the visible spectrum consisting of the yellow and the red region and the blue region and combinations thereof, said exposure being substantially over the period of buoyancy of the embryo.

4. The method of claim 3 in which said radiation exposure is continuous and is commenced at least within the first three days of incubation of said eggs.

5. In an incubator for carrying out the incubation of fowl eggs where a support structure is provided for receiving trays in substantially vertically stacked and mutually aligned form, each said tray having a plurality of cavities for positioning said eggs in an orientation wherein the air cell of each thereof is uppermost, the improvement comprising:

means for mounting a source of radiation adjacent said support structure, said source having select spectral distribution and intensity;

a said tray including means to support eggs and means to receive, transmit and discharge radiation from said source, said discharging means discharging light in a pattern to encounter the upper surface of each egg which could be supported below said tray by an identical and vertically aligned tray;

with said tray in operative position, the means to receive light being near the sides of the tray and the means to discharge light discharging a portion downward.

6. A tray for the incubation of eggs comprising:

means to support eggs and means to receive, transmit and discharge light, said discharging means discharging light in a pattern to encounter the upper surface of each egg which could be supported below said tray by an identical and vertically aligned tray;

with said tray in operative position, the means to receive light being near the sides of the tray and the means to discharge light discharging a portion downward.

7. The tray of claim 6 including means to discharge light downward in a plurality of locations.

8. The tray of claim 6 including means to discharge light horizontally.