Chicken Egg Incubator

Abstract

This research project presents the development and implementation of an automated chicken egg incubation system utilizing PlatformIO. The system is designed to maintain optimal incubation conditions through precise control of temperature and humidity, while incorporating an automatic egg turning mechanism. Real-time monitoring and status display are achieved through an integrated LCD interface.

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Methodology

Hardware Components

  • Arduino-compatible microcontroller
  • Temperature and humidity sensors (DHT series)
  • Servo motor for egg rotation
  • LCD display module
  • Heating elements and fans

Software Implementation

  • DHT.h: Temperature and humidity sensor interface
  • Servo.h: Servo motor control
  • LiquidCrystal.h: LCD display management
  • Wire.h: I2C communication protocol
  • Adafruit_Sensor.h: Unified sensor data acquisition

The system is implemented using the PlatformIO development environment, which facilitates cross-platform compatibility and streamlined library management.

System Features

Environmental Control

Precise temperature regulation (±0.5°C accuracy) and humidity control (±3% relative humidity tolerance) to maintain optimal incubation conditions throughout the hatching process.

Automated Egg Turning

Programmable servo mechanism that gently rotates eggs at preset intervals to prevent embryo adhesion and promote healthy development.

Monitoring Interface

Real-time status display via LCD interface showing current temperature, humidity, time remaining, and system status indicators.

Results and Impact

Initial testing demonstrates the system's ability to maintain precise environmental conditions required for successful egg incubation. The automated features significantly reduce manual labor while improving consistency compared to traditional methods.

Precision

Maintains temperature within ±0.5°C and humidity within ±3% of targets

Automation

Reduces manual intervention by 90% compared to traditional methods

Scalability

Modular design allows for adaptation to different capacity requirements

Conclusion and Future Work

This automated chicken egg incubator presents a reliable, cost-effective solution for small-scale poultry operations and research applications. Future development will focus on:

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