Cold incubator for lockdown?

[Susan Skylark]

I have a retired incubator that can’t get above 98.5 degrees, could i safely use it for lockdown? I know some people lower the incubation temp as hatching approaches assuming the physical work of hatching generates enough heat to make a lower temp more comfortable for the chicks. I’d assume at worst it would delay hatching by half a day as lower temps slow development but is there any other possible down side?

 

[Debbie292d]

It's said a degree high or low is still safe, although the vast majority of us stick to 99.5F. I have two incubating incubators and one for lockdown and keep them all the same temp.

Another thing you could do is a day shorter lockdown, so even if there were any adverse effects as in slight slowdown, it'd be for one day less.

 

[Susan Skylark]

I don’t dare do shorter lockdowns, quail are supposed to hatch day 17, most of mine hatch day 16, occasionally some are hatching day 15, I usually go into lockdown day 14 so it would only be 3 days at half a degree lower, probably not significant as the unhatched chick is also likely producing its own body heat too.