Today, domestic expanses of both domestic and professional ostrich farming are expanding. Despite the fact that this bird is considered to be quite unpretentious to the living conditions, it’s not so easy to get healthy offspring in modern realities. Therefore, many farmers have resorted to artificial egg breeding using incubators. In this article we will examine in detail the main technical and structural features of ostrich incubators, as well as get acquainted with the most popular ones.
How to choose the right incubator
When choosing the right and high-quality incubator, it is important to fully take into account all the design features of these devices, but often quite serious criteria, unfortunately, are not taken into account. 
In this case, the effectiveness of the use of an incubator decreases, which can lead to serious losses.
Did you know? The first incubators appeared in ancient Egypt about 3 thousand years ago. Their role was played by small furnace structures in which the optimum temperature was maintained by burning straw.
To determine the correct choice of ostrich incubator, you need to look at the following features of the device:
- performance: This parameter is primarily determined by the number of eggs that will ripen in the device. Models of average power are considered the most common on the market. They allow you to simultaneously hold up to 10 trays, while growing at the same time several dozen eggs per cycle. But if ostrich breeding is carried out for amateur purposes, we advise you to pay attention to more rational low-power devices that can hold up to 10 eggs per cycle;
- heating device: This element of the design is the main one; therefore, its choice should be approached with the greatest scrupulousness. Today there are systems that provide heating elements, incandescent lamps, thermal cord, infrared emitters, etc., but the most economical option is a thermal film. Only she is able to evenly heat the contents of the incubator with a minimum expenditure of energy;
- thermostat: For the formation of healthy and viable strausut it is imperative to observe the correct temperature during incubation. In this case, the error of the sensors plays a key role in this process, since it is this that contributes to the correct assessment of the temperature regime inside the device. Therefore, the sensors should be selected with the smallest relative error. In addition, today there are sensors with electronic and manual mode. Manual adjusting incubators cost much less than automatic ones, but only a high-precision computer will be able to create conditions in the device that are as close to natural as possible;
- humidity controller: humidity plays an important role in the formation of a healthy brood, especially at the 2 and 3 stages of growth of a fertilized egg. The best choice would be a model equipped with a high-precision psychrometer with an automatic disk-type moisture regulator. These incubators provide the possibility of uniform air humidification and control of the value of this indicator. But if there is a limited budget for the purchase of a device, then you can stop your attention on models with mechanical moistening;
- egg turning mechanism: There are incubators on the market with mechanical or automatic turning of eggs. This feature seriously affects the price of the device and its overall energy consumption. Despite the high cost-effectiveness and relative simplicity of the mechanical, it is best to turn your attention to automatic models, since the correct egg maintenance regime provides for their turning at least 5 times a day, taking up a large amount of farmer time. In addition, automatic systems provide uniform heating, which is important for the successful production of offspring;
- case material: they can serve as plywood, plastic, metal, foam, etc. The most successful are models made of durable plastic or steel, additionally insulated with foam or mineral wool. In such incubators, it is possible to achieve uniform heat circulation between the layers of air with minimal energy expenditure. In addition, structures made of durable materials will extend the service life of the device several times, which is important for small farms;
- warranty service: Warranty obligations of the manufacturer are one of the main conditions for the sale of any technical device. Often this period is 1 year, but it is best to stay on models with a longer warranty service. In this case, you will be able to avoid low-quality goods, as long warranty obligations, like nothing else, indicate a high wear resistance of all electronic and mechanical parts. In addition, you should pay your attention to the possibility of post-warranty service, since it is often qualitatively carried out exclusively by official service centers;
- producing country: This choice is subject to your own preferences. However, imported models are often more expensive. Within the framework of a modest budget, it is best to turn your attention to models from large, time-tested domestic manufacturers. In most cases, they fully satisfy all the requirements of consumers: they are distinguished by an affordable price, technical excellence and durability.
It will be useful for you to learn how to collect and store ostrich eggs before incubation and how to incubate ostrich eggs at home, as well as find out how useful and how high-calorie an ostrich egg is.
Model overview
Today, the market for quality incubators is full of various models from a huge number of manufacturers. In just a few decades, ostrich farming has turned from a simple hobby into a profitable industry, so the most advanced manufacturers of electrical engineering annually introduce a lot of various innovations in the creation of technology.
Important! The thermofilm is characterized by low mechanical strength: its excessive bending can lead to deformation of the heating element and rapid breakage. Therefore, when buying devices with a heating film, it is imperative to check its integrity.
Next, consider the most successful models of incubators.
REMIL-36TsU
This model is an automatic semi-professional incubator, designed for up to 36 eggs in 12 trays. REMIL-36TSU is made of high-strength metal case with the size of 175x125x75 cm. 
To control the state of eggs during incubation, a special viewing window, made of durable transparent plastic, is provided in the device door. The weight of the device is 130 kg, therefore it is suitable only for a stationary location in specially equipped premises in conditions of an average or large poultry farm.
Find out what ostriches eat in the wild and at home.
The management of this incubator is performed using a high-precision computer system. Humidity is also controlled automatically, but the level of this parameter can be easily adjusted manually.
To ensure the complete safety of future offspring, the design of REMIL-36TSU provides for the presence of 2 thermostats, so in the event of a breakdown of one of them, the possible risk to the life of the embryo is completely excluded.
Did you know? Despite the fact that ostriches are unable to fly, today they are considered the largest birds on the planet.
INCA-10
Inca-10 is a high-quality and small incubation device designed for use on small farms or in a private farm. Incubator includes 2 trays, 5 eggs each. 
The case of the model is made of high-quality and durable steel, but its main highlight is the dense glass door, which provides the possibility of full visual control of the eggs during the development of the embryo. With quite modest dimensions - 64.9 x64.4x139 cm, the device is rather weighty: about 55 kg.
Despite the fact that INCA-10 incubators are designed exclusively for amateur ostrich farming, the system is equipped with a high-precision computer. It allows offline monitoring of temperature, humidity, etc., and also almost completely avoid sudden changes in microclimate indicators.
The humidity in the device is set manually, ranging from 20% to 55%. The autonomy of the system contributes to almost 100% hatchability of the young from each batch of fertilized eggs.
For incubation of ostrich eggs you can also use the Stimulus IP-16 incubator.
AI-1400
The main advantages of the model AI-1400, released in 2014, is reliability, efficiency, and high production performance. This incubator is used both on small ostrich farms and as additional equipment in large poultry farms and can accommodate up to 60 ostrich eggs. 
The case of this device is made of high quality stainless steel with a special antibacterial coating. This makes it possible to create an almost perfect sterile environment inside the unit, which has a positive effect on the overall success of the incubation and the health of the future brood.
The dimensions of the unit are quite impressive: with a size of 97x77x170 cm, the weight is about 100 kg, therefore it should be used exclusively in stationary conditions. To do this, you need to take care of a room specially designated for the device.
Climate control in the AI-1400 is carried out thanks to a complex microprocessor - this makes it possible to create the most optimal microclimate for eggs with a difference of average temperatures of not more than 0.1 ° C from the natural rate.
In this case, in the event of any discrepancies with the pre-installed mode, the computer must emit an alarm signal, which protects the progeny from possible death. Adjustment of humidity and air circulation is also automatic, but if necessary, the user can make their own adjustments to the factory modes.
In addition, the AI-1400 is also distinguished by its low energy intensity: a high-quality insulation layer with a thickness of about 5 cm is provided in its case.
Did you know? The world famous myth that ostriches hide their heads in the sand during the danger arose about 2 thousand years ago thanks to the ancient Roman writer and erudite Pliny the Elder.
BION-1200M
The model of incubators BION-1200M can be functionally attributed to AI-1400 analogues. The unit is often used in conditions of large poultry enterprises, but if necessary it can be used on private farms. 
Its capacity is no more than 48 eggs, while it differs in average size, 100x99x87 cm in size and weighing about 80 kg. The case of the model is made of high-quality stainless steel and is additionally insulated with a 3 cm foam layer.
Climate control, turning of eggs, as well as airflow are controlled using a high-precision computer with a relative error of no more than 0.2%. Control of the modes is due to the touch panel, but despite this general control looks quite simple.
All this allows the use of BION-1200M in almost any conditions, since its use does not require a high level of technical knowledge.
Multilife
Multilife's professional incubator line for ostrich eggs is high-quality and reliable equipment designed for use on large ostrich farms. 
There are just two models of such incubators, for 36 and 70 eggs - that is why Multilife units are able to satisfy almost all existing requirements of modern poultry farming.
The device case is made of durable steel and additionally insulated with high-quality foam. One of their main features is a large transparent door made of high-strength glass.
It allows you to visually monitor all the processes inside the structure without disturbing the climate regime of the camera.
Climate control is fully implemented using high-precision computer with modern Russified software. With it, you can create special conditions as close as possible to natural humidity, temperature and ventilation.
As a result, almost 100% hatchability of fertilized eggs is achieved on an industrial scale over a fairly short period of time.
Important! Before laying in the incubator, the eggs are necessarily disinfected: for this, they are immersed for 15-20 minutes in 0.5% formalin solution or 1% solution of potassium permanganate.
How to do it yourself
Professional and multifunctional systems for artificially breeding young ostriches today are a fairly serious expense item, regardless of the extent of the breeding of poultry.
DIY Incubator: video
Therefore, many private farmers decide to create an incubator with their own hands, using available means, which seriously reduces this item of expenditure. For these purposes, there are many approaches, but constructions made from bee hives are considered the highest quality and professional ones.
Next, we consider the main subtleties of creating a homemade hive incubator.
In order to create the entire structure, you will need:
- double hive - 1 pc .;
- galvanized mesh with a cell 16x24 mm - 2 square meters. m;
- 1-2 liter metal vessel - 1 pc .;
- bulbs with a cartridge for 25-40 W - 4 pcs .;
- ready tray for eggs - 1 pc .;
- 50 mm thick foam plates - 5 square meters. m;
- adhesive for foam plastic - 1 pc.
The main stages of the preparation of the incubator:
- Remove the partition separating it from the upper part in the lower body of the hive, and then close the resulting hole with a galvanized wire mesh.
- Remove the partition above the ceiling at the top of the hive, and then close the hole with a galvanized wire mesh.
- Mount bulbs with bullets at the height of about 10-15 cm from the ceiling at the top of the hive.
- Fix foam plates on the outside of the hive with a special glue - this will help improve the temperature and microclimate inside the device.
- Once the insulation is firmly glued to the structure, you can begin to operate the incubator. To do this, put a metal container with clean tap water (as a natural moisture regulator) at the bottom, then install a tray with eggs and turn on the light.
A high-quality incubator for eggs is one of the main conditions for successful ostrich farming, in particular, obtaining healthy offspring regardless of the weather and the climate of the area.Important! As a heater for a homemade incubator, use of polystyrene foam plates is prohibited. This material is not capable of passing steam, which will cause excessive moisture while keeping eggs.
Today there are many such devices, but the most profitable are domestic models: they provide consumers with the most modern technical solutions at low cost. But with a lack of extra funds, a good incubator can be created with your own hands - with the help of scrap materials from an old beehive.
