Hatching eggs has always been a challenge for parents. There are different methods to hatch eggs, but some require expensive equipment or even electricity. Nowadays, there are also tools that allow you to hatch eggs without spending much time or effort. An incubator is a very useful tool in hatching eggs. It can be used as a standalone device or it can be connected to your computer and controlled by software. In the previous article we discussed about hatching process on peacock egg without an incubator. But, in this article, we will discuss how to hatch peacock egg with an incubator.
What do you need to hatch a peacock egg?
1. An egg incubator
The first thing you need to hatch peacock eggs with an incubator. You can use an old incubator lying around the house whose parameters are correct. If you don’t have any, then you should buy one from a store. The best type of incubator for hatching peacock eggs is digital. Digital incubators provide accurate temperature control and they are easy to operate. Before keeping the eggs in incubators make sure that it gives proper humidity.
2. Fertile egg
After buying an incubator, you must need fertile eggs. Without fertile eggs, the peacock eggs won’t hatch. You can check before putting the egg incubator whether it is fertile or not. To check whether the egg is fertile or not, flash a torch light on the egg body in a dark room. If the egg is fertile, you will see a dark spot around the middle of the egg. If it’s not you will just see a yellow yolk shape inside the egg.
3. Hatchery box
A hatchery box is another important piece of equipment which helps you to hatch peacock eggs. A hatchery box is like a small container where you can keep the eggs. This box needs to be placed in a suitable place because it requires a lot of space. After placing the hatchery box, you need to put the eggs inside it. Make sure that the eggs are clean and dry. Then cover them with a thin layer of paper towel.
How to hatch peacock egg with an incubator
1. Place the eggs in the hatchery box
Place all the eggs in the hatchery box. Put the eggs in such a way that they fit perfectly inside the box. Don’t worry about the position of the eggs; just try to arrange them so that they fit well inside the box.
2. Close the lid
After placing the eggs in the hatchery box, close the lid of the hatchery box tightly. You can close it using tape or glue. Make sure that the lid is closed properly otherwise the heat may escape from the box.
3. Set up the incubation temperature
This is the most important part before hatching a peacock egg. Set up the incubation temperature according to the instructions given by the manufacturer. Usually, the temperature should be set at 37 degrees Celsius (98.6 degrees Fahrenheit). However, if you want to hatch more than one egg, you can increase the temperature to 38 degrees Celsius (100.4 degrees Fahrenheit) or 39 degrees Celsius (102.2 degrees Fahrenheit).
4. Check the humidity level
Check the humidity level of the hatchery box every day. If the humidity is too low, then add some water to the box. But if the humidity is too high, then remove some water from the box. Usually, try to maintain a humidity level between 55% – 60%.
5. Place the eggs in an incubator
Place the fertile egg in an incubator. The temperature may go down normally for the first few hours. If the temperature goes down don’t try to adjust the temperature for the first 2 days( 48 hours). The incubation period of a peacock egg is around 30 days. Set the eggs so that the smaller ends point down and the larger end faces up. This helps prevent the developing embryo inside the eggs from suffocating and prevents the yolk inside the eggs from sticking to the shells.
6. Turn off the lights
Turn off the lights in the room where you are going to hatch the eggs. Otherwise, the heat produced by the incubator may affect the development of the eggs.
7. Keep checking and turning the eggs daily
Keep checking the eggs every day. It is very important to check the eggs regularly. Once the eggs start to develop, you will notice changes in their color. Also, you will hear a soft tapping sound coming out of the eggs. This means that the shell has started to harden. So, make sure to turn the peacock eggs 180 degrees at least three times a day. Make sure that they’re always lined up vertically or horizontally. Also, make sure that they sleep on their backs every night so they don’t always end up sleeping on one side. Wash your hands before handling the eggs and be careful not to touch them too roughly.
8. Remove the dead egg
Check the egg after one week by using the flashlight test. If the egg doesn’t show any signs of life after 7 days, then remove it from the incubator and clean it thoroughly.
9. Take preparation for the hatch day
You need to take preparation for the hatch day. After 25 days you need to increase the humidity level from 60% to 70%. Make a hatchery box with a small hole in the lid and prepare a place to keep the hatches peacock chicks.
Precaution during hatching peacock egg an incubator
- Don’t handle the eggs roughly.
- Don’t use sharp objects like scissors or knives near the eggs.
- Set the accurate temperature and humidity levels. Otherwise, the egg may damage.
- Clean the incubator frequently. Otherwise, bacteria may grow and cause infection.
- Do not open the incubator when it is hot.
- Be careful while opening the incubator.
- Always wash your hands before touching the eggs.
- Never put the eggs back into the incubator once they have been removed.
If the incubator is old can I hatch the peacock egg?
Yes, but you have to make sure that the all parameter of an incubator is correct. Otherwise, the embryo inside the egg may die. We recommended not to use an old incubator.
What will happen if the humidity level is not correct during hatching?
Maintaining humidity is very important during hatching. If the humidity level is low, the embryo inside the eggs may die. On the other hand, if the humidity level is high, the embryos may get dehydrated. So, you must maintain the humidity levels.
Why did eggs explode in the incubator?
The eggs may explode because of several reasons. First, there might be a problem with the water supply. Second, the airflow may be blocked. Third, the temperature may be too high. Fourth, the humidity may be too low. If any egg explodes in the incubator check all these parameters.
How do I know whether my peacock eggs are ready to hatch?
Eggs should change colour from white to yellowish-white after about 20 days. The yolk sac should also disappear. You can also feel the tap on the eggs.
What happens if the eggs are hatched prematurely?
When the eggs are hatched early, the chick may die due to a lack of oxygen. In this case, you should immediately transfer the chick to a hatchery tray.
Is it safe to hatch peacock eggs in an incubator?
Yes, it’s perfectly fine to hatch peacock eggs. However, we recommend that you follow some precautions. For example, you should only hatch one egg at a time. Also, you should never leave the incubator unattended.
Final thought
Peacocks are beautiful birds. They are known as symbols of love and beauty. Hatching of peacock eggs is very interesting and children are fascinated by them. It is fun to watch the baby peafowl grow up. In this article, we have discussed how to hatch peacock eggs using an incubator. Hope you liked our post.
