FARMER'S NOTEBOOK
Cost effective, solar poultry egg incubator
M.J. PRABU
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The machine is ideal for rural women and unemployed persons
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— Photo: By special arrangement
POWER CONSERVATION: The entire unit is automatically heat controlled.
ENERGY CONSERVATION has always been an important issue among scientists and policy makers.
Seeking a viable alternative energy source has always been the centre of attention particularly in the agricultural sector.
Harnessing solar energy has been gaining significance as a new and continuous supply of alternative power source, which seems to have an answer to frequent power constraints faced by farmers. Continuous power supply is a boon to ryots, especially in regions affected with frequent electricity failure.
So far solar energy has been used for lighting lamps and for cooking food. Recently it has also been utilised in the poultry sector.
Cost factor
In India there is no small-scale electrical incubator and major poultry farmers use large electrical incubators for hatching their eggs. The cost of these incubators may vary between Rs.50,000 and Rs. 60,000.
The eggs before being placed inside the incubator have to be disinfected to prevent getting spoiled. A Kochi-based entrepreneur, Mr. K. George Kutty, has developed a solar poultry egg incubator.
Brood fowls
Usually small-scale poultry farmers use brood fowls to hatch their eggs. Large-scale farmers use electrical egg incubators.
Constant power supply is a must for these incubators especially when the eggs are to be hatched. If there is any breakdown in the power supply then the eggs lose there hatching value and have to be destroyed. The solar incubator on the other hand does not face this problem.
Hatching capacity
Three separate plastic plates are provided for hatching chicken, quail and goose eggs. It has the capacity to hatch about 50 chicken, 120 quail and 25 goose eggs.
Energy is stored in a battery and distributed inside a chamber. The temperature of the incubator, made of fibreglass, with insulation, is maintained at about 37 degrees Celsius.
The entire unit is automatically heat controlled and the fibreglass cabinet ensures that no damage is done to the eggs due to over heating.
An indicator shows whether the unit is warming up, stable or cool. The electronic proportional thermostat is well protected against power variations and also a battery is provided for power stability.
A solar panel connected to the battery with charge controller assures 24-hour power supply.
Egg turning can be done manually by turning each egg once in three days. There are no internal moving parts inside the device and there is little danger for the emerging chicks.
A computer grade fan provides fresh airflow throughout the incubator. Humidity is provided manually by placing a water bowl inside the incubator base.
Alternative uses
When not in use, the device can be used to provide power for lighting or for working a fan. The devise can work on alternative current (AC) in the absence of sunlight required for the working of solar panels.
The important feature in solar incubator is that unlike electrical incubators the eggs need not have to be disinfected before placing them inside and after every hatching the entire device can be washed and cleaned, according to Mr. Gorge Kutty.
Self-employment
Priced at about Rs.30,000, the solar incubator may be ideal for rural women and unemployed persons who seek self-employment opportunities.
They can earn about Rs.600 per month from the sale of these hatched eggs, Mr. George explained.
For more information Mr. George Kutty can be contacted at 1st floor, Central Arcade, Azad Road, Kaloor, Kochi- 682 017, Kerala, email: info@lifewaysolar.com, mobile: 98460-34493.
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