Avian Incubation and Hand-Rearing courses overview

The Avian Incubation course is a two-day, intensive practical course aimed at those involved in artificial incubation of avian eggs. Whether new to egg incubation or experienced with managing eggs, participants will learn a broad range of skills necessary to successfully incubate bird eggs and deal with the problems that could arise. No embryonated eggs will be used in this course.

The Avian Hand-Rearing course is a one-day, intensive lecture-based course aimed at those involved in hand-rearing of birds. Whether new to hand-rearing or experienced rearing birds, participants will learn a broad range of skills necessary to successfully hand-rear birds and deal with the problems that could arise.

The Avian Incubation and Hand-Rearing courses will all be held at Auckland Zoo.

Click here to register your interest

If you have any queries, please contact us: info@aucklandzoo.co.nz

Deadline for registration: 15 August 2025

These courses have limited space and priority will be given to applicants working at zoos and conservation organizations.

The incubation course is based on the current best practices for artificial incubation of eggs for all species of birds. Lectures and practical sessions will cover the following topics:

  • Egg formation and structure
  • Embryo development and extraembryonic membranes
  • Factors affecting hatchability before and during incubation
  • Hatchery design and management
  • Sanitation – best practices
  • Candling – methods for observing the developing embryo using a light source
  • Egg weight loss management for optimal hatching success
  • Egg repair
  • In-ovo embryo sexing
  • Hatching assistance – when and how to intervene
  • Assessment of not developed eggs – infertile vs early embryonic death
  • Egg necropsy and hatchability analysis
  • Record keeping – collecting, analysing, and applying data collected
  • Artificial incubation and its role in field conservation programmes
Avian Incubation Course Content
https://cdn.aucklandunlimited.com/zoo/assets/media/san-diego-zoo-wildlife-alliances-avian-propagation-centre-incubation-room.jpg

The egg incubation unit at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s Avian Propagation Centre

Instructor:

Jessica Theule is a senior Wildlife Care Specialist at the Avian Propagation Center at the San Diego Zoo. Since joining San Diego Zoo’s team in late 2007, she has artificially incubated, and hand-raised over 200 species of birds. She has been an instructor at the Avian Incubation Workshop since 2008 and has taught the course materials to attendees all over the world.