INCUBATION

A. EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE

The following are a listing of available incubators and incubator distributors that specialize in equipment for ostrich.

American Incubator Corp.

Star Rt., Box 26-A

Bastrop, Texas. 512-321-9214.

Buckeye USA. Inc.

7850 Barton Street

Lenexa, Kansas, 66214

913-268-8480.

G.Q.F. Manufacturing Co.

P.O. Box 1552-NO

Savannah, Ga. 31498

912-236-0651

Humidaire Incubator Co.

P.O. Box 9

New Madison, Ohio 45346

513-996-3001

Kuhl Corporation

Dept. 0

Kuhl Road, P.O. Box 26

Flemington, New Jersey 08822

908-782-5696

Mechanical Ostrich Mother

913-544-7779

NatureForm Hatchery Systems

925 North Ocean Street

Jacksonville, Florida 32202

904-354-7400

N'Kobi Industries Inc.

16830 110 Av.

Edmonton, Alberta Can. T5P 1G9

Ph: (403) 444-2800 Fax: (403) 444-4900

Toll Free: 1 800-256-0488

Pureflow Incubators and Hatchers

119 North Cherokee

Catoosa, Oklahoma 74015

P.O. Box 838

Owasso, Oklahoma 74055

918-266-5052

B. INCUBATION FACILITIES

Often, the facilities in which the incubation equipment is kept is as critical as the equipment itself. Although there are no strict requirements that will insure successful incubation, there are several factors that should be considered.

Facilities should be capable of being maintained at 65 to 70F.
Outside fresh air exchange should be at least 20%.
Humidity should not exceed 45%
Traffic and personnel should be maintained at a minimum with as few people as possible entering the facility.
Floors and walls should be of such a construction to allow daily cleaning and washing.
Additional air movement within the room should be supplied by portable fans or some similar mechanism.

C. CANDLING AND HATCHING

The hatching process in ostrich, as in all birds, begins when the egg cell is expelled from the ovary of the hen. When the ovum passes into the oviduct of the female, it begins to mature and if spermatozoa are present, fertilization occurs. As the egg continues down the oviduct, the viscous albumin (egg white) , papery shell membrane and hard outer shell are progressively secreted by the lining of the duct. Even before the egg is laid, the formation of a visible embryo has begun and appears as a whitish disk on the surface of the yolk. Additional development does not occur until incubation at the proper temperature. The egg is fully formed and ready to be laid about 24 hours after it is discharged from the ovary.

Ostrich Book Index