Trouble getting temp right

[chickgarden]

This is my first time incubating chicken (Silkie) eggs. We just hatched some quail eggs bought at local Asian market (HMart) and had 10 out of 20 hatch. From seeing what other people got (around 20-40% hatch rate) I thought we did pretty well, especially since they were in the refrigerated section.

We have a Hova Bator - still air. With the quail I was able to keep it right around 100 degrees. But, after much reading I'm seeing that most people recommend the still air temperature be higher. The problem I'm having is that I'm not able to get it to 101, it's either 100 or a little over 102. Is it better to stick with the lower temp for the chicken eggs?

We also are hand turning the eggs, marked each side with an X and O like we did with the quail eggs.

Thanks!

 

[vpeterson]

I would say to leave it at 100 degrees. It might delay development a little but 102 is too high.