HomeMSEUF Research Studiesvol. 12 no. 1 (2010)

Development and Evaluation of a Programmable Temperature Control System for Chicken Incubator

Ronaldo C. Maaño | Roselyn B. Felizco

 

Abstract:

This research aimed to develop a programmable temperature control system of an incubator for poultry products. Specifically, the study intended to (1) design a prototype that automatically calibrates monitors and controls the temperature inside the incubator; (2) fabricate the prototype; and (3) evaluate its performance.

 

The study is an applied type of research which made use of quantitative-descriptive research design. Furthermore, evolutionary prototyping was used in fabricating the prototype of the project undertaken.

 

In order to measure if the prototype is operating and to test its effectiveness, two processes were done: the actual observation of the temperature gathering and controlling operations of the prototype versus that of the conventional temperature controller, and the evaluation process with two sets of respondents which were the incubator users and the incubator experts composed of engineers, computer scientist, and electronic experts.

 

After statistically treating the data, the researchers concluded that the there is no significant difference in the results of temperature reliability; however it provides a huge advantage on the ease of use and minimized errors due to human intervention. Also, it was concluded that the respondents’ observations showed no significant difference in all the design criteria considered for the project, hence proving positive perception of both groups in all the criteria evaluated. Among others, this study recommends the use of the programmable temperature control system for chicken incubators that this study has developed.