Available in other languages:
Content available at:
For many years, the commercial incubation industry has relied almost entirely on the multi-stage (many loads) incubation methods, and with good results. The concept of thermal interaction efficiency between endothermic and exothermic eggs, as well as its ease of use, has made this the ideal solution. 
However, as chicken consumption grew worldwide and the poultry industry became intensive, it became clear that the multi-stage method could not meet the level of biosecurity required by the modern market.
Furthermore, the academic world clearly demonstrated that multiple-stage incubation was unable to provide optimal conditions for the developing embryo.
For a time, many publications and articles theorized about the potential of a single-stage (1 loading) incubation as a solution to both biosecurity issues and providing optimal conditions required by the embryo.
However, the first single-stage methodologies posed difficulties in obtaining the same results as their multi-stage counterparts.
The challenge of single-stage, for both commercial incubator manufacturers and academics, was to identify the ideal conditions for the embryo and create an incubator that could generate such conditions on a large scale.
It was almost inevitable that during this period there would be a debate between supporters of multi-stage and single-stage, but today it cannot be doubted that a modern well-managed single-stage hatchery can produce results – both pre and post-hatch — superior to the best possible results in a multi-stage hatchery. 
The following chart shows the optimal ranges for the developing embryo through key parameters such as temperature, humidity, and CO 2.
TEMPERATURE
As the main parameter, it is more accurately described as the absorption and dissipation of energy produced through heat exchange. Many academic studies and commercial trials have shown how precise temperature control – which cannot be achieved in a multi-stage environment – positively and significantly affects both chick quality and all aspects of post-hatch performance. 
Graph 1. Variable requirements of the hatching egg depending on the incubation period
Subscribe now to the poultry technical magazine
AUTHORS
Setting the Global Standard for Soy
Isa Tan
Importance of Eggshell Temperature, Checking and Record Keeping in a Commercial Poultry Hatchery
Rasel Ahmed
The Reality of the South African Egg Industry
Abongile Balarane
Mycoplasmosis update: Antimicrobial Resistance, Vaccines, and Control Challenges
Edgar O. Oviedo Rondón
Future Flock: Antibiotic-Free Solutions for a Rising Population
Dr Ahmad Safi Dr. Faran Hameed
Interview Dr. Nivin Nasser
Dr. Nivin Nasser
Disinfection of Fertile Broiler Breeder Eggs
Edgar O. Oviedo Rondón
Precision Matters: Tackling Quality Issues in on‑Farm Vaccination
Jaime Sarabia Fragoso Kevin Gandon Pascal Paulet
Process Control: 30 Specific Aspects to Evaluate from Pre-Slaughter to Slaughter
Eduardo Cervantes López
Ishikawa Diagram Applied to Processing of Chickens
Eduardo Cervantes López
