Bad incubator!

[Dixon Farm]

So I recently bought a new incubator and had it running for several days, of which it stayed at a constant temp. After putting the eggs in I noticed the temp. would drop then spike to hot. So I took it back and got another one. So my question is, did this unstable temp. possibly hurt my eggs? I moved them into my older incubator that does great but they were in the new one for 3 days.

 

[smchickfarm]

well, I don't think it hurt them, but I am in no way an expert!


hopefully someone will jump on here that has had more experience.

Good luck!

 

[SED]

What temp did it spike to? How long was it at that temp? The eggs can take a cooler temp better than a hotter temp. Also, a slight spike for a short period should not hurt the eggs because it is the interior temp of the egg that really matters. If the temp soike was for a prolonged period of time and was over 102-103 then it may have hurt them.

 

[Dixon Farm]

Not sure how long it stayed. Sometimes I'd wake up to that temp and I adjusted it. It was on and off again. Hoping it wasn't too bad. I try to think that it wouldn't have hurt too bad because I live in Florida which can get pretty hot so our hens that do sit probably reach those temps. when sitting on their eggs.

 

[f8thnjc]

Only time will tell. Wait til day 8 at least, then candle.

 

[Dixon Farm]

I was thinking abour candleing them today. I put them originally March 21st. What is the best way of candling? I've never really done it.

 

[snazzyboots]

i have a hovabator still air and had the same problems you are having. i'm on day 12 now and most of my eggs are doing well. i bought a brinsea candler and it works really well for me. the marans eggs are still tough to see though. good luck to you

 

[f8thnjc]

Quote:
I just make a very loose fist with my hand (so that you have about a 3/4" opening you can look through), set the egg on the thumb side of your fist, and shine a really bright flashlight up through the bottom. If you are on day 8, you should be able to see something, unless they are really dark eggs . If you don't see anything, I would still wait a few more days, especially if they are dark. Hope this helps.

 

[Dixon Farm]

So I candled them this afternoon and they are all alive and were moving!!