'bator not hot enough,can I still save eggs?

[Rooster2410]

I put some eggs in my incubator yesterday at 6:30pm. I decided I'd better check the accuracy of the heat and put two thermometers in there towards the bottom where the eggs are. One is a bulb type thermos and the other is digital. Both were about 94/95. Since they're still so freshly put in, can I still save them if I get a heat pad underneath or something? Is there anything I can do? For now I just have some clothes over the incubator hoping that'll raise the heat. I have the temp thing on the 'bator turned all the way up.

 

[MGG]

I put some eggs in my incubator yesterday at 6:30pm. I decided I'd better check the accuracy of the heat and put two thermometers in there towards the bottom where the eggs are. One is a bulb type thermos and the other is digital. Both were about 94/95. Since they're still so freshly put in, can I still save them if I get a heat pad underneath or something? Is there anything I can do? For now I just have some clothes over the incubator hoping that'll raise the heat. I have the temp thing on the 'bator turned all the way up.

I'd cover the incubator with a blanket too. They might be ok.

 

[Rooster2410]

If I can actually find a spare blanket, I'll do that. Just after posting I figured I could put something inside the incubator to raise the eggs up closer to the top, but I literally have nothing except for books I don't want destroy, and bricks that'll make it a pain in the ass to have to manually turn. I noticed I still had the Styrofoam it came in so fit it back into that. Also taped up two seemingly large sized vent holes at the top as well as the watering hold on the side. Just gonna monitor everything closely for the next few hours to see what it does.

 

[Ted_Harrell]

What type of incubator is it? Can you post a picture?

 

[Rooster2410]

It is this one right here.

After two hours of putting it in the Styrofoam and taping up two vent holes on top and the water hole, my digital says 97 and my bulb one looks like it is at 100. Hopefully the bulb is more accurate. I'm still a bit pissed. But if I can keep it hot enough through the hatching I'll look into maybe seeing if I can get an extra heating element or figure something out with it.

But I now know why Brinsea, even smaller ones than this, are so much more expensive. Qaulity quality quality.

 

[HogWildAboutChix]

I have that exact incubator- but I bought mine from Ebay. I have hatched 2 batches pretty successfully in it so far. So don't be too discouraged yet. I left the styrofoam that it was packed in around it and on the top for hatching. I did cut a viewing hole in the styrofoam closer to hatch time.

The unit I bought has alarms for both temp and humidity. And then factory settings are "acceptable". It should have been alarming if temps were low!

Make sure to read the instructions and there is a video on youtube about them also. You have to hold the set button to actually set the temp, otherwise it goes back to the previous setting. Specific info is in the instructions booklet or online.

Best of luck to you! Hopefully the hatch will be successful despite this setback!

 

[Percheron chick]

Start by calibrating your thermometers first.
I incubate in a very cold house. I put the incubator on a towel. Cover it with a box then place a towel over the box.

 

[Rooster2410]

Thanks hogwild, it does have the alarm which I like and dislike at the same time. The problem seems to be that there is too much space. I don't get the temp alarm because I'm sure its that temp at the top where the hot air rises. But when I put my thermometers down with the eggs, it's much lower. I'll see how it goes. I've read that at 97 degrees IIRC, they can still hatch without having any physical deformities, and maybe even as low as 95? But with a smaller hatch rate? I want it at 99 or 100, but if I can at least keep it in a safe range I don't mind waiting a tad longer, I'll be happy even with a 40% hatch rate since I'd have to sell some chicks anyways.

I believe to set the temp, you just had to click the setting button once, change the temp and then click it again. I think the holding the button was for setting the alarm. But we'll see. I'm glad to read you have the exact same one and kept it in styrofoam and it still worked.

 

[Rooster2410]

Start by calibrating your thermometers first.
I incubate in a very cold house. I put the incubator on a towel. Cover it with a box then place a towel over the box.

I'll give it a shot. My instruction manual isn't very detailed at all.

 

[HogWildAboutChix]

I depise the humidity alarm because it cant be adjusted - at least not that I have found! So when Im trying let my bator "dry out" for a dryer hatch it beeps non stop. Its in the basement, so we shut the door and try to ignore it.

Is the fan running? If the fan is running the air in all parts of the incubator should be the same. In theory....

If you think the whole incubator is defective - notify the company or Amazon now so if problems persist and no chicks by the end of the hatch you can get your money or a replacement!

Give us updates!