Development of a Solar Powered Egg Incubator

Poultry farming plays a vital role in food security and income generation, yet many small-scale farmers in rural areas face challenges with egg incubation due to unreliable electricity supply and the high cost of commercial incubators. Traditional methods, such as using broody hens, are inconsistent and inefficient, while electric incubators depend heavily on stable grid power. This project presents the design and development of a solar-powered smart egg incubator that provides a sustainable and reliable alternative. The system integrates a solar photovoltaic module, a charge controller, and a battery storage unit to ensure uninterrupted power supply. An Arduino microcontroller was employed to regulate temperature and humidity using DHT22 sensors, while an automatic egg-turning mechanism prevents embryo adhesion and improves hatchability. The incubator was tested for two hours, during which the temperature successfully stabilized between 36.9 °C and 38.2 °C, and humidity levels fluctuated between 40% and 51%. Results indicate that the system can maintain the critical incubation conditions of 37.5 °C and 45–55% humidity without reliance on grid power. Beyond energy efficiency, the incorporation of smart monitoring enables automation, reducing human error and labor. This project demonstrates the potential of renewable energy and embedded systems in enhancing poultry production, particularly in remote communities, and provides a foundation for future improvements such as IoT-based remote control and more precise humidity regulation