Design and Development of a Microcontroller Based Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Incubator for Use in Power Constrained Environments

Abstract

The availability of reliable and affordable energy remains a significant challenge in the poultry sector across developing economies. This study presents the design, construction, and performance evaluation of a microcontroller-based egg incubator powered by Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). The incubator was developed to address the limitations of electrically powered, solar-powered, and kerosene-based incubation systems, which are either cost-prohibitive or ineffective in regions with unreliable power supply. A programmable microcontroller (PIC16F876A) was employed to automate key incubation functions, including temperature and humidity regulation, gas ignition control, and egg turning. Fabricated using locally sourced materials, the prototype underwent a full incubation cycle using 120 fertile chicken eggs. The results demonstrated a hatchability rate of 65%, with consistent maintenance of optimal incubation conditions (temperature: 37.5°C; humidity: 45–55%). The LPG consumption for the 21-day incubation period was 15 kg, translating to a cost of ₦51.65 per chick. This study validates the feasibility of a low-cost, off-grid, automated incubation system suitable for rural and peri-urban poultry operations.