Duck Eggs Hatching Procedure with A Low Cost User Convenient Integrated Device for Developing Countries

Abstract

Poultry agriculture is a form of livestock farming that involves raising chickens, turkeys, ducks, etc, and raises them to provide eggs or meat. However, this work sheds light on the method of hatching duck eggs which maintains a suitable environment around the eggs through an automated and low cost device by controlling temperature (T) and relative humidity (RH). This paper presents a control strategy for automatic temperature and relative humidity control systems for the egg/s hatching procedure for rural areas people or unprivileged communities in the developing countries. One of the best outcomes of this work is the proper hatching procedure steps shown from the beginning to the end. Moreover, for a better understanding and outcomes, the research work has been done under a poultry farm in Charsita village, Lakshmipur, Bangladesh for 6 consecutive months of 2020. The experiment (egg/s hatching) has been conducted under an ice-box. Furthermore, a microcontroller (ATmega328p) is used to monitor the temperature and relative humidity by receiving data from the sensor DHT22 and manipulating the appropriate temperature and humidity using a logic algorithm code. Egg/s need a constant temperature and relative humidity of 35.6 °C to 37.8 °C and 60% to 80%, respectively. Nonetheless, an LCD (16*2) with a matrix keypad (4*4) has been integrated into the unit, allowing farmers to easily set, run, and monitor the appropriate temperature and relative humidity levels within the ice-box. Finally, the results of sensor testing, system device management, and performance rates are recorded to ensure the research's success.