The main difference between incubation and hatching is that incubation is the process by which birds keep eggs warm until hatching, whereas hatching is the production process of baby chicks.
Incubation and hatching are two processes required for the production of baby chicks. They can be done artificially or by hens.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is Incubation
– Definition, Features, Importance
2. What is Hatching
– Definition, Features, Importance
3. Similarities – Incubation and Hatching
– Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Incubation and Hatching
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Hatching, Incubation
What is Incubation
Incubation is the process by which oviparous or egg-laying animals develop their embryo. It occurs under favorable conditions provided artificially by an incubator or naturally by hens. Incubation is important for the determination of sex in animals. Genetics determine the sex of birds. However, many species of birds require a constant and a particular temperature for successful incubation. The act of sitting on eggs for incubation is called brooding. Birds exhibit a wide range of incubation habits. In birds, body heat provides a constant temperature in warm-blooded animals. Megapods use the heat generated from rotting vegetable material.
Figure 1: Incubation
Furthermore, crab plovers partially use the heat of the sun. Namaqua sandgrouse allows the egg to cool during the day. They stand over the eggs, drooping wings to shade the eggs. Other than the temperature, humidity is also an important factor for eggs. In too-dry air, eggs lose much of their water content. It may make hatching difficult. When the incubation proceeds, the eggs become lighter. Also, the air space inside the egg becomes larger.
What is Hatching
Hatching is the production of chicks from eggs. The hatching period is the time required for the production of new chicks. In chickens, the hatching period is 21 days. There are two methods of incubation: natural incubation by brooding hens and artificial incubation by incubators. Brooding by hens is unsatisfactory for the large-scale production of baby chicks. Therefore, incubators are used for this purpose. Incubators are apparatus that maintain the temperature and the humidity of eggs. There are two types of incubators: still-air incubators and forced-air incubators.
Figure 2: Hatching
Moreover, the still-air incubator is a box with no fan. In forced air incubators, air flows to give a more even temperature. After the incubation, eggs are placed in a hatcher for three days.
Similarities Between Incubation and Hatching
- Incubation and hatching are two processes in baby chick production.
- They can be done artificially and by hens.
- They occur in oviparous organisms.
Difference Between Incubation and Hatching
Definition
Incubation refers to the process in which an egg develops until the stage at which the young come out, while hatching refers to the production of baby chicks from eggs.
Instrument
Incubation occurs inside the incubator, while hatching occurs inside the hatcher.
Egg Turning
Moreover, egg turning occurs in the incubator, while no egg turning occurs in the hatcher.
Egg Container
The egg container contains an egg tray with hole seats for incubation, while the egg containers used for hatching are baskets.
Temperature
The incubation temperature for eggs is approximately 38 degrees Celsius, while the hatching temperature for eggs is approximately 37 degrees Celsius.
Cleanness
Incubation occurs in a clean place, while hatching occurs in a dirty place.
Conclusion
In brief, incubation and hatching are two processes of baby chick production. They can be done artificially and by hens. Incubation is the process of developing eggs until the young come out. It can occur inside an incubator. Inside the incubator, egg turning occurs. Eggs occur in the egg tray with hole seats in the incubator. It is a clean place. The incubation temperature is approximately 38 degrees of Celsius. In comparison, hatching occurs inside the hatcher. Egg turning does not occur inside the hatcher. Hatching baskets also occurs inside the hatcher. The optimum temperature for hatching is 37 degrees of Celsius. Additionally, hatching occurs in a dirty place. The main difference between incubation and hatching is their process.
References:
- “Incubation, hatching and brooding.” SlideShare.
Image Courtesy:
- “Female wild Mallard goes broody” By Steve Brace from Herefordshire, UK – Own work (CC-BY 2.0) via Commons Wikimedia
- “Brown egg hatching” By Linsenhejhej – Own Work (CC-BY SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
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