Can Chicks Still Hatch at 94 degrees?

[Eggwell]

I bought a new incubator with it's own digital thermostat. It seemed like a Cadillac compared to my others. I didn't think to check the thermostat until day 21 when I still do not hear any peeps. I put my own thermostat inside it and it is reading 94 degrees instead of 99.5 degrees which is what the unit itself says.

My question is: Will chicks still hatch at 94 degrees or should I throw the eggs away and start over again?

Thanks, All comments are welcomed.

 

[Bowslayer2]

Our inubator was about a degree low from what I could tell and only 10 of 40 chicks hatched and they hatched a couple days late. I would say if it was 94 degrees and then no.......they will not hatch. Sorry....but you willneed to try again. I found the thermometers were not accurate and had to be set to the correct temperature. I am also going to try another batch but I calibrated my thermometer so it was a degree warmer.

 

[Bradfordj]

You may have a poor hatch rate, and if any hatch they may be late. I would still give it time though to see. Try candeling them as well to see whats inside. Good luck! In all reality these temperatures are a good guideline. Do think a hen can keep and constant perfect temp and humidity with all the different environments, yet they can hatch eggs!

 

[AmyLynn2374]

My first hatch my brand new thermometer (that I didn't check) read a fairly consistant 99-100. I saw no action until day 24 when I had one hatach and another at day 25. The day 25 was too weak and died within the firs 24 hours. A check after the failed hatch revieled that my thermometer was 6 degrees off!! So when I thought it was 99/100 -it was actually 93/94 for the ENTIRE incubation. So- there is always hope. I ended up with one hatchling, which was in itself a miracle. I wouldn't count on much, but I wouldn't give up either.


(After that I started using 3 thermometers that were in agreement!)

 

[sonshine15]

I just had the same thing happen with a new incubator! Day 14 and 93 if that! I didnt have a way to check the temps till the other day. UHG! One would think the thermostat would be calibrated before it leaves with the incubator. I ordered a good one from Amazon so between 3 something should happen. Over half of them are still alive, I candled them this morning.

 

[sonshine15]

Wow, these little guys are tough! I've been candling, have two thermometers and watching closely ..........over half the eggs have live chicks in them. Day 16 and expecting to have some losses but also a bit longer hatch time since it was so cool in there. My other thermometer hasn't arrived yet.........excited!!!

 

[Eggwell]

I'm curious to know how the hatching went. When I first began this post, I had waited a complete 21 days before checking my thermostat, and I only had 2 hatches. It was very upsetting. Maybe where you caught it before the whole 3 weeks had passed you have better luck than I did. I have learned to use 2 thermostats.

 

[sonshine15]

Hi! I ended up with 3 out of them..........now another issue lol.

 

[FridayYet]

I bought a new incubator with it's own digital thermostat. It seemed like a Cadillac compared to my others. I didn't think to check the thermostat until day 21 when I still do not hear any peeps. I put my own thermostat inside it and it is reading 94 degrees instead of 99.5 degrees which is what the unit itself says.

My question is: Will chicks still hatch at 94 degrees or should I throw the eggs away and start over again?

Thanks, All comments are welcomed.

Just checking - did you calibrate your thermometer so you know it is accurate? There's a chance they both may be off a bit. Calibrating in ice water may be helpful if you haven't already checked it.

 

[sonshine15]

I finally got fed up with the stress and have 3, two digitals and one glass one. The two digital I didn't trust. Now the next batch is due tomorrow. Praying it goes easier! Wonder if this is something I'll get used to. LOL
The humidity level has been the greatest challenge lately. I have eggs in my LG and move them to a homemade bator when it's lockdown time. I can keep the humidity level until one little baby hatches and it skyrockets to over 90! On a journey here for sure.

Thank you for all your input, believe me it helps the ups and downs

That has been me the past week LOL