Calibrating thermometers - the easy way

[dancingbear]

It won't burst at normal incubator temps, which are well withing the range of a mercury fever therm. But they don't go back down on their own, you have to shake them down, and put them back in every time you use them. Shake it down, prior to each use. That's why I only use it to check the accuracy of my other therm.

 

[offshorewife]

okay, i think my new alcohol thermometer is reading 1-2 degrees low. I need to calibrate some new digital ones.
Thanks,

 

[nnbreeder]

Another thing to remember is that an incubator will not be the same temp throughout. If you were to put 5 scientific thermometers in 5 different points in the 'bator they would all read differently. That's ok, it's more like a hen that way.

As a hen turns eggs each egg in turn will make it to the outside of the clutch and probably cool just a little as compared to the other eggs directly under her. When I use a tabletop 'bator I will take and reposition the eggs in the turner every night and rotate the center ones to the outside and vise-versa. It makes for a much more even hatch. On cabinet types I rotate the trays both end for end and top to bottom.

I started doing this when I noticed that the eggs closest to the turner motor and directly under the heating element hatched first.

 

[offshorewife]

Right I understand that but my ducks hatched 3-4 days late which has me believing my temps is lower than it's supposed to be. And to think this bator said add water & plug in. They fail to mention that their thermometers may be off! I'm a newbie to incubating.

 

[dancingbear]

You're probably right, a late hatch is usually from temp a little too low. I increased mine just a hair for the ground currently in, and I seem to be getting a much better development rate than before. They're due to hatch tomorrow, (the chickens anyway, guineas a week later, same 'bator!) so we'll see!

 

[Julbrod]

I have 4 thermometers in my incubator for my first hatch and they all have different readings. the 3 cheap ones are within a degree or so, the $25 one from the pet store is about 4 degrees different.
I did mess with the dial and it's driving me nuts. I don't care about the expense of the eggs. I just feel bad if I'm hurting the little guys! I will try a little of all the advise above.