Monitoring setter conditions

Monitoring setter conditions

In the past, all the sensors were wired. Nowadays, wireless loggers are becoming more common. They are portable and can be used in different setters (to measure CO2, RH, and temperature). Here, IR thermometers are integrated into the setter trolleys. They transmit data through a wireless connection.

Sensors are available in a range of formats. They measure the actual eggshell temperature of the surrounding eggs in real time. This gives you a reliable average, but only at the particular location in the machine! Sensors provide signals about the climate in the incubator. This allows you to monitor the incubation process continuously. You can put the sensors in the setter, but you can also place them on the eggs. In this way, you can get a picture of a specific location, and also the differences in the incubator. Have the sensors calibrated regularly, to ensure the accuracy of the readings. Always put the sensors in the same location in the incubator. Think things through carefully (and measure yourself) whether a certain spot will give a good average eggshell temperature. If you position it on a relatively hot spot, too many eggs will be incubated at a too low temperature. On a cold spot, too many eggs will be incubated too hot. Make sure no obstacles are mounted on the walls (e.g., cable ducts, guides, reflectors). These can cause unexpected airflow patterns, and some eggs could overheat. You can also place calibrated loggers between the eggs. These are often wireless. Do not place them against the air cell because this will give a false reading. Make sure these loggers are between fertile eggs, so you do not get false eggshell readings from infertile eggs that produce no heat. You can determine this by occasionally taking manual eggshell temperature measurements of all the eggs around the sensor. To check the sensors, you can candle the eggs with sensors attached to check whether the readings correspond to the actual status of the egg.copyright protected