hautominen

Hautominen is the process of incubating eggs to trigger their development and hatch them. In Finnish agricultural and animal husbandry contexts, it refers to providing controlled warmth, humidity, and ventilation to eggs so that embryos grow and chicks, ducklings, goslings or other hatchlings emerge. The term is often used for poultry, but it can apply to eggs from birds and some reptiles under controlled conditions.

The process typically requires a suitable incubator or brooders, which maintain a stable temperature and regulate humidity. Eggs may be turned regularly to prevent the developing embryo from sticking to the shell and to ensure even warmth. Manual systems require hands-on turning, while automatic incubators perform turning and environmental control without constant human intervention. Proper ventilation is also important to supply oxygen and remove carbon dioxide.

Key factors in hautominen include species-specific temperature and humidity ranges, turning frequency, ventilation, and the duration of incubation. Maintaining stable conditions is essential for hatching success and the health of hatchlings. As incubation progresses, adjustments may be needed, such as increasing humidity toward the end of the incubation period and reducing or stopping turning just before hatch.

Incubation is widely used in commercial poultry production, hobbyist breeding, and conservation programs where captive rearing of eggs is necessary. Success depends on species-specific requirements, careful monitoring, and reliable equipment. Hautominen by its nature combines biology with precise environmental control to produce healthy, viable offspring.