Abstract: A method and apparatus for exposed eggs and hatchlings of precocial avian species incubated, hatched, and brooded under artificial conditions to sound recordings made under natural incubating, hatching and brooding conditions to reduce the spread of time over which the hatchlings emerge from the eggs, to reduce the stress experienced by both the unhatched embryo and the hatchling, and to increase the attraction of artificially incubated hatchlings to feed and water during the brooding stage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for exposed eggs and hatchlings of precocial avian species incubated, hatched, and brooded under artificial conditions to sound recordings made under natural incubating, hatching and brooding conditions to reduce the spread of time over which the hatchlings emerge from the eggs, to reduce the stress experienced by both the unhatched embryo and the hatchling, and to increase the attraction of artificially incubated hatchlings to feed and water during the brooding stage.

Abstract: An egg tray is provided which holds the eggs at an angle of approximately 35.degree. relative to the horizontal floor of the tray with the large or air-cell end of the egg being elevated. Air vents in the tray sides permit fresh air to flow directly over the eggs during incubation. A hatchery facility includes racks for holding a plurality of such trays loaded with eggs. The loaded racks and are rolled into an incubation and hatching chamber through a first set of doors which connect the chamber to a first hallway in which fresh air is circulated. After incubation and hatching, the racks and an air control unit in each chamber are removed through a second set of doors into a second hallway in which air from the chambers is vented during incubation and hatching. The air pressure in the first hallway is greater than that in the second hallway thereby minimizing the risk of contamination.

Abstract: An egg tray is provided which holds the eggs at an angle of approximately 35.degree. relative to the horizontal floor of the tray with the large or air-cell end of the egg being elevated. Air vents in the tray sides permit fresh air to flow directly over the eggs during incubation. A hatchery facility includes racks for holding a plurality of such trays loaded with eggs. The loaded racks are rolled into an incubation and hatching chamber through a first set of doors which connect the chamber to a first hallway in which fresh air is circulated. After incubation and hatching, the racks and an air control unit in each chamber are removed through a second set of doors into a second hallway in which air from the chambers is vented during incubation and hatching. The air pressure in the first hallway is greater than that in the second hallway thereby minimizing the risk of contamination.