Chapter 1: Introduction

Avian incubation requires strict environmental control. Incubation conditions (temperature, humidity, gas
levels, and egg handling) critically influence embryo development and chick quality 1 . For example,
maintaining moderate relative humidity (typically ~50–60% for the first 18 days, rising to ~65–70% at hatch)
and turning eggs every few hours is well known to maximize hatchability 1 . Despite this, many affordable
incubators lack integrated sensing and automated control of all relevant factors. In particular, gas
concentrations (CO₂ and NH₃) are seldom monitored, and real-time feedback is rare. Recent advances in
Internet-of-Things (IoT) technology offer new solutions: microprocessor-based systems can continuously
sense environmental parameters and actuate fans/heaters/motors, with data logging and remote alerts.
Indeed, a systematic review in the Philippines found that about 64% of precision-farming IoT studies focus
on poultry (including incubation management and environmental monitoring) 2 , indicating strong local
interest. For example, Dollente and Hanbal (2024) developed an IoT decision-support system for a
Philippine poultry facility, enabling real-time monitoring of temperature, humidity, and gas-toxicity with
automated alarms 3 . Similarly, Fuentes (2023) built an IoT-enabled incubator with remote monitoring and
control, reporting 100% efficiency in maintaining temperature, humidity, and ventilation (CO₂ control)
alongside a motorized egg-turning schedule 4 . These studies highlight how Raspberry Pi or similar
embedded computers can integrate sensors, actuators, and user interfaces to improve incubation
outcomes.

Building on this, the present study proposes a fully automated smart incubator using a Raspberry Pi
single-board computer at its core. The Raspberry Pi will interface with sensors for CO₂ (e.g. NDIR module),
NH₃ (e.g. metal‐oxide sensor), and temperature/humidity (e.g. digital DHT22/SHT31), as well as actuators
(fans/heaters for climate control and a motorized egg-turning mechanism). The system will continuously
monitor these parameters over a complete 21-day cycle and automatically ventilate, humidify, heat, or tilt
eggs to keep conditions within biologically acceptable limits. A local web server or dashboard on the
Raspberry Pi will log data and allow remote monitoring and control (replacing earlier plans for ESP32/Blynk)
5 . Rather than measuring hatch rate, the study focuses on engineering performance – sensor accuracy,

response time, reliability, and system uptime – to address gaps in consumer incubators.

General Objective: To design, build, and evaluate an IoT-based smart egg incubator using a Raspberry Pi
that automates and monitors CO₂, NH₃, temperature, humidity, and egg turning throughout a 21-day
incubation cycle.

Specific Objectives: - To monitor and control CO₂ concentration with a threshold-based ventilation system.
- To continuously monitor NH₃ levels and issue alerts for unsafe air quality.
- To regulate temperature and humidity via integrated sensors and automated heaters/fans to stay within
target ranges.
- To implement a timed egg-turning mechanism (e.g. motor-driven tilt) on a regular schedule.
- To develop a real-time monitoring interface on the Raspberry Pi for data logging, alerts, and remote
access.

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Significance of the Study: This smart incubator system will benefit poultry farmers by providing an
affordable, fully-automated incubator that maintains optimal hatching conditions with minimal manual
effort. It will help small hatcheries by ensuring consistent air quality and temperature profiles. It also serves
academic and interdisciplinary research in electronics and agriculture by demonstrating an IoT integration of
hardware and software. Future researchers can build on the platform for more advanced features.

Scope and Delimitations: The project will prototype a single-chamber incubator with the described sensors
and actuators. It does not include biological testing of hatch rates or chick health; instead, evaluation is
limited to engineering performance (e.g. sensor accuracy, control response). Oxygen levels and other gases
(H₂S, VOCs) are excluded. The control strategy will be simple threshold logic (not advanced PID or AI
control). Testing will be conducted in a laboratory setting with a 21-day simulated incubation cycle – we
assume ambient conditions that allow focusing on the controller’s performance.

Conceptual Framework: The system can be understood in three stages:

• Input: Environmental sensors measure incubator CO₂, NH₃, temperature, and humidity. An egg-
position sensor or timer tracks turning status.
• Process: The Raspberry Pi reads sensor data and compares against pre-set thresholds/schedules. It
activates ventilation fans (to control CO₂), heaters/coolers (for temperature), humidifier/dehumidifier,
and a motor for egg-turning as needed. All data are logged and a web-based dashboard provides
real-time monitoring.
• Output: The incubator maintains all parameters at optimal setpoints over 21 days. Performance
metrics (e.g. stability of temperature/humidity, responsiveness to threshold events) are recorded to
validate system effectiveness.

Definition of Terms: - Raspberry Pi: A small single-board computer running Linux, here used as the
controller to interface with sensors/actuators and host the user interface.
- Internet of Things (IoT): A network of connected devices (sensors, actuators, controllers) that
communicate data through the internet or local networks.
- CO₂ Sensor (MH-Z19C): A non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) module that measures carbon dioxide
concentration in the incubator.
- NH₃ Sensor (MQ-137): A tin-oxide semiconductor gas sensor sensitive to ammonia and other amine gases,
used to detect NH₃ from decomposing egg material.
- Temperature/Humidity Sensor (DHT22/SHT31): Digital sensor that measures air temperature and
relative humidity inside the incubator.
- Actuator: A device that converts controller signals into physical action (e.g. a fan or heater switched by a
MOSFET, or a motor that turns the egg tray).
- Automated Egg Turner: A motorized mechanism (often a rotating tray or tilting arm) that tilts or rotates
eggs at preset intervals to mimic natural brood turning and prevent embryo adhesion to the shell.
- Data Logging: The process of recording sensor readings and system actions over time, stored on the
Raspberry Pi for analysis and review.
- Threshold-based Control: A simple control strategy where actions (like turning on a fan) occur when a
sensor reading exceeds a fixed limit.

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Chapter 2: Review of Related Literature
IoT in Poultry and Philippine Agriculture
IoT technologies are rapidly being applied to poultry farming and agriculture in the Philippines. Dollente
and Hanbal (2024) describe an IoT “decision support” system for a local poultry facility, which monitors
temperature, humidity, and toxic gases in real time to give early warnings for poultry health 3 . More
broadly, Taer and Taer (2025) found that most Philippine IoT research focuses on poultry: about 64% of
studies address poultry-related applications, including incubation management and environmental control
2 . These reviews note innovations such as automated incubators and climate-control systems being

developed by Filipino researchers. For example, Maroma et al. (2023) implemented an automated incubator
with backup power to ensure continuous operation, and Paras (2020) and Mariani et al. (2021) explored
solar-assisted and low-cost incubator designs to aid small poultry farmers. Dollente and Hanbal conclude
that IoT systems can significantly improve poultry productivity by driving sustainable, data-driven
decision-making and early intervention 3 . Together, these works underscore a Philippine research trend
of integrating sensors and connectivity into poultry and incubation systems.

Environmental Control in Incubation

Effective incubation depends on strict control of environmental variables. Embryonic growth is sensitive to
temperature, humidity, ventilation, and turning; deviations can impair development or reduce chick quality
1 . The consensus is that maintaining constant optimal conditions improves hatchability. For example,

Oso et al. (2022) review multiple studies confirming that fluctuations outside the ideal range (e.g. >37.8°C or
improper humidity) can delay hatching or cause deformities 1 . In practice, incubators typically aim for
around 37.5–38.0°C and ~50–60% RH, increasing humidity at final hatch to prevent membranes drying out.
Turning eggs periodically (every 1–4 hours) is also crucial to prevent the embryo from sticking to the shell
1 . However, commercial small incubators often lack automatic management of all factors simultaneously.

This motivates research into integrated control: for example, in a camera-guided incubator, Tolentino et al.
(2022) used a Raspberry Pi and sensors to actively maintain optimal temperature and humidity 6 . In
summary, the literature strongly supports the need for real-time regulation of incubator conditions to
match biological requirements, which in turn justifies automated systems.

Gas Monitoring Technologies (CO₂ and NH₃)

Gas levels in poultry environments are important: elevated CO₂ and especially NH₃ (ammonia) can harm
embryos and chicks. While CO₂ is naturally produced by embryos and should be periodically vented,
excessive CO₂ can lead to hypoxia and developmental issues. More critically, ammonia from decomposing
organic matter is toxic: even moderate NH₃ exposure impairs respiratory health and immunity in birds 7 .
In poultry houses, sensing NH₃ is common for worker and animal safety 7 . For incubators, continuous gas
monitoring is less common but growing in interest. Recent IoT systems for poultry farms integrate NDIR
CO₂ sensors and metal-oxide NH₃ sensors to track air quality 8 . For instance, Anisha et al. (2024)
developed a smart poultry-house controller that continuously monitored CO₂ and NH₃ along with
temperature and humidity, allowing early warning of unsafe conditions 8 . The sensors used (e.g. MH-
Z19C for CO₂ and MQ-137 for NH₃) provide analog or digital outputs that microcontrollers can read. By
integrating these into an IoT platform, the system can activate ventilation fans or alerts as soon as

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thresholds are exceeded. Godinho and Vicente (2023) further emphasize that managing CO₂ and NH₃ is
essential for animal comfort and productivity, and that wireless monitoring removes wiring issues 9 10 .
In summary, literature on gas sensing shows that the technology exists to continuously monitor incubator
air, and that doing so can prevent embryo stress and improve air quality in hatcheries (Anisha et al., 2024;
Godinho & Vicente, 2023 8 9 ).

Temperature and Humidity Regulation

Temperature and humidity control is a well-studied problem in incubators. Sensors like digital thermistors
and capacitive humidity modules allow precise measurement of chamber conditions. Control algorithms
(usually simple thermostatic or PID loops) then drive heaters and humidifiers. Tolentino et al. (2022)
describe an incubator using DHT11 temperature/humidity sensors connected to a Raspberry Pi 4, which
“observe and maintain the optimal parameters inside the incubator” 6 . Similarly, many IoT designs
employ actuated vents, fans, or micro-fog humidifiers. In practice, maintaining ±0.5°C of target temperature
and ±5% of RH is considered adequate. Some studies have applied advanced control (e.g. fuzzy logic) for
animal incubators (Irwan et al., 2022), but most DIY incubators use threshold-based or PID regulation. The
reviewed systems consistently show that electronic sensing and feedback can stabilize temperature and
humidity over a long incubation period 6 . Thus, using a Raspberry Pi with high-quality temp/RH sensors
should ensure the incubator keeps conditions within specified ranges.

Automated Egg Turning

Egg turning is universally recognized as important for successful hatching 11 . In natural incubation, a hen
frequently moves eggs; mechanical incubators must replicate this motion. Typically, an automated
incubator uses either a rotating tray or a tilting arm. The literature reports various schedules: for example,
Tolentino et al. (2022) programmed rollers to tilt duck eggs every 8 hours for 5 minutes 11 . Fuentes (2023)
implemented a system that performed egg-tilting cycles on a timed basis and reported 100% reliability in
the turning mechanism over 21 days 4 . Automated turners often use a servo or geared motor, controlled
by the microcontroller. Proper turning prevents the embryo from sticking to the shell membrane; studies
have shown that lack of turning can reduce hatch rates significantly. Therefore, the incubator design must
include a reliable, motor-driven turning assembly, and the literature suggests verifying its timing accuracy
(for example, using a data sheet to log actual turns, as Fuentes did 12 ). Overall, automated turning is a
standard feature, and prior projects demonstrate that integrating a motor with scheduled control
successfully mimics natural brood behavior 11 .

Real-Time Monitoring and Interfaces

Modern incubators increasingly provide live monitoring and user interfaces. Fuentes (2023) used a
Raspberry Pi to host a mobile app interface, allowing users to remotely view incubator conditions and
receive alerts on a smartphone 13 . Tolentino et al. (2022) created a graphical display on a monitor
(connected to the Pi) to show temperature, humidity, and candling results in real time 11 . Web-based
dashboards are also common in IoT systems. Anisha et al. (2024) integrated a Wi-Fi module to push data to
a cloud dashboard, enabling centralized management of multiple sensors and visualizing trends 8 . These
works emphasize user-friendly, real-time access: showing that end-users can adjust setpoints or respond to
warnings immediately. In summary, the literature supports implementing a live interface (web or mobile)

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for smart incubators, as it greatly enhances oversight. This directly aligns with our Objective 5 to develop a
real-time control interface on the Raspberry Pi.

Connecting the Dots: The above literature confirms that each component of our system has precedent and
benefit. IoT solutions have improved poultry incubation by automating environment control and remote
monitoring 3 13 . Automated turning mechanisms and precise climate regulation are proven effective in
enhancing hatch success 14 4 . Continuous gas monitoring is less common in incubators but is
recognized as valuable for overall air quality 8 7 . By combining these elements on a Raspberry Pi
platform (citing successes like Tolentino et al. and Fuentes), the proposed incubator design is well-grounded
in recent research and directly addresses gaps in existing systems.

Chapter 3: Methodology and System Design

Research Design
This study follows a developmental (engineering design) approach. The project entails iterative design,
construction, and performance evaluation of a physical prototype incubator. The goal is not exploratory
science but the creation and testing of a working system. Based on the literature and project objectives, we
will build the incubator hardware, program the Raspberry Pi control software, and then evaluate
engineering performance metrics (sensor accuracy, response time, reliability). This aligns with the intent
to focus on system performance rather than biological outcomes 4 . Performance data and observations
from each test cycle will inform minor refinements until objectives are met.

System Architecture
The revised system architecture centers on a Raspberry Pi 4 as the master controller. Connected
peripherals include:

• CO₂ Sensor (MH-Z19C): Mounted inside the incubator to measure CO₂ ppm. Communicates via
UART/serial to the Pi.
• NH₃ Sensor (MQ-137): A resistive gas sensor (with calibration) measuring ammonia levels. Provides
analog output read through an ADC module.
• Temp/Humidity Sensor (DHT22 or SHT31): Digital sensor for precise measurement of air
temperature and relative humidity. Connected to Pi via GPIO.
• Heater (Ceramic Heater or Resistor) and Ventilation Fan: Power devices controlled by the Pi
through MOSFET switches. The Pi toggles them on/off to adjust the incubator’s climate.
• Humidifier / Water Trickle (or Bi-directional Fan): For humidity control, either a small misting
pump or steam-humidifier under Pi control.
• Egg Turning Motor: A geared DC motor or stepper driving the egg tray. The Pi rotates or tilts the
tray on a set schedule.
• Power Supply: A regulated DC supply (12–24V) powering all actuators and sensors, with proper
isolation from the Pi’s 5V logic.
• User Interface: The Pi runs a program (e.g. Python/Node-RED or a webserver) that logs sensor data
and serves a local web dashboard. Users can connect via Wi-Fi or Ethernet to view conditions and
adjust settings.

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Figure-wise (conceptual): sensors feed data into the Pi (input), the Pi runs control algorithms (process), and
actuators maintain conditions (output), while the data logger/interface runs continuously.

Data Collection Tools and Procedures

Data will be collected via the incubator’s own sensors and supplemental instruments during testing. Key
tools and datasheets include:

• Embedded Sensor Logs: The Raspberry Pi will record all readings (CO₂ ppm, NH₃ level, temperature,
humidity, timestamp) to files. Actuator states (on/off times, motor run durations) are also logged.
• External Reference Instruments: For calibration and verification, a handheld CO₂ meter and an
NH₃ detector may be used periodically to validate sensor accuracy. A calibrated digital thermometer/
hygrometer will check temperature/humidity sensors.
• Performance Datasheets: As in Fuentes (2023), we will use evaluation datasheets for temperature,
humidity, CO₂, and egg turning to record observed values versus setpoints 12 . These enable
systematic capture of deviations and response times.
• Observation Logs: Notes on system behavior (e.g. errors, stalls) will be kept. The egg-turning
mechanism’s actual movement will be visually confirmed (and timed).

Data collection will occur during a continuous 21-day incubation simulation. We will place (non-fertilized)
eggs in the incubator or suitable thermal loads to mimic egg heat output. The system will run unattended
for 21 days. Periodically (every few days), we will check and record sensor outputs. On completion, we will
analyze logs to compute metrics.

Evaluation Metrics
The system will be evaluated against the following criteria:

• Sensor Accuracy: Compare the incubator sensors against reference meters. Error should be within
acceptable range (e.g. ±0.5°C for temperature, ±5% RH, ±50 ppm CO₂).
• Control Response Time: Measure how quickly the system reacts to disturbances. For example, if
temperature drops by 1°C, how long until the heater brings it back? Similarly, note time from CO₂
threshold breach to fan activation.
• Stability and Uptime: Over 21 days, the system should maintain temperature and humidity near
setpoints with minimal fluctuation. Uptime (percentage of time system remained operational
without resets) should be >99%.
• Gas Detection Performance: Verify that the CO₂ ventilation and NH₃ alert functions trigger at the
correct concentrations. For instance, if the incubator air is spiked with CO₂ or NH₃, the system should
respond appropriately.
• Egg-Turning Reliability: The turning motor should execute every scheduled tilt (e.g. 4–8 min every
4–6 hours). We will check logs to ensure no missed or incomplete turns. (Fuentes (2023) reported no
turning errors over 21 days 15 .)
• System Throughput: Confirm that all 5 objectives operate concurrently without interference. For
instance, turning should not adversely affect temperature stability.

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If available, ISO 25010 (product quality) or similar criteria may guide overall assessment of usability and
reliability, following Fuentes (2023) 4 . However, the primary focus is quantitative engineering
performance.

Testing Environment
Testing will occur in a controlled lab or workshop with moderate ambient conditions (~20–25°C). We will
simulate incubation by loading the chamber with 10–20 eggs (or thermal simulators). The Raspberry Pi’s
network interface will be monitored, and the incubator’s power draw logged. The system will run
continuously for 21 days to represent a full chicken incubation cycle. Throughout this period, external
checks (e.g. stable AC power, reference meter readings) will ensure the environment is known. At the end of
21 days, all logged data and field notes will be analyzed.

By aligning test setup and metrics with the objectives and literature, we will demonstrate how well the
Raspberry Pi–based incubator meets its design goals. For example, Fuentes (2023) achieved “100%
efficiency” in controlling temperature, humidity, CO₂ ventilation, and egg-turning 4 ; our evaluation will
similarly quantify each aspect to validate performance.

References
Anisha, L., Bala Devika, B., Sabitha, S., & Beby, M. L. A. (2024). Smart IoT System for Gas Monitoring and
Environmental Control in Poultry Farms. International Journal of Innovative Science and Research, 8(2), 102–
112 8 .

Dollente, E., & Hanbal, I. (2024). IoT-based Decision Support System for Poultry Care for Ilocos Sur
Polytechnic State College. Nanotechnology Perceptions, 20(Suppl. 2), 149–161 3 .

Fuentes, J. S. (2023). Development of prototype automated egg incubator with IoT application. International
Advanced Research Journal in Science, Engineering and Technology, 10(7). 4 13

Taer, A. N., & Taer, E. C. (2025). Harnessing precision and innovation: A systematic review of precision
livestock farming and IoT technologies in the Philippines. Ceylon Journal of Science, 54(1), 53–64 2 .

Tolentino, L. K. S., Alpay, R. A. C., Grutas, A. J. N., Salamanes, S. J. B., Sapiandante, R. J. C., & Vares, M. B. (2022).
An automated egg incubator with Raspberry Pi-based camera assisted candling and R-CNN-based maturity
detection. International Journal of Computing and Digital Systems, 11(1), 1–11 14 11 .

Yalçin, S., Özkan, S., & Shah, T. (2022). Incubation temperature and lighting: Effect on embryonic
development, post-hatch growth, and adaptive response. Frontiers in Physiology, 13, 899977. (See also Oso et
al. 2022 on incubation factors, cited within 1 .)

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7 9 10 Wireless Environmental Monitoring and Control in Poultry Houses: A Conceptual Study

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