Day 22 and no pipping! Incubator been running at 98.8 and only just realised 😱

[CotswoldChucks]

Hello guys,
Just wanted to see if anyone has experience with running an incubator with too low a temperature - 98.78f.
I had my auto incubator set to 99.5 but I just placed a thermometer in there and it is reading lower
My humidity was 35-45 to day 18 and 65 onwards, though it has now dropped to 57.
Of 16 eggs I was sure at least 9 would hatch at day 18 when I candled them as they were alive and looking well.
I read that bantam eggs can hatch early but I haven't heard or seen a thing and I'm starting to worry!

 

[CotswoldChucks]

Also, should I increase the temperature now or would that have a detrimental effect? Any advice would be appreciated!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

If they were at 98.8 the entire time, they should hatch about a day late.
Have you candled at all?

There is also no way that chicken eggs could hatch on day 18 if the temperature was 99.5.
Other than a few other variables, eggs kept at 99.5 will almost always hatch in exactly 21 days. You should be able to set your watch by it.

The problem accurately answering that question is that there is no way for us (or you) to know that the added thermometer is accurate either. Way back I used as many as 7 thermometers and they were all wrong.

I would either keep it where it is or you could raise by about a half degree F.

 

[CotswoldChucks]

If they were at 98.8 the entire time, they should hatch about a day late.
Have you candled at all?

There is also no way that chicken eggs could hatch on day 18 if the temperature was 99.5.
Other than a few other variables, eggs kept at 99.5 will almost always hatch in exactly 21 days. You should be able to set your watch by it.

The problem accurately answering that question is that there is no way for us (or you) to know that the added thermometer is accurate either. Way back I used as many as 7 thermometers and they were all wrong.

I would either keep it where it is or you could raise by about a half degree F.

Thank you for your advice!

I haven't candled since lockdown. Do you think I should have a look at a few?

Sorry, I didn't explain very well. I didn't expect any to hatch at day 18, but they were alive when I candled on day 18.

I agree with temperature thermometer variation. I've been watching it and the new metre isn't always lower, they both fluctuate but there is a delay between them. I guess because the built-in metre is on the lid and my metre is at egg height.

 

[Ruby Rogue]

I wouldn't change anything this far along. If there are no external pips I would look at a few for movement and internal pips. You may have issues with positioning and some chicks may need help along if your temperature was low. Hopefully your new thermometer is accurate. Good luck.

 

[CotswoldChucks]

I've increased the temp by .2c. I'm going to wait until tonight and if no sign of pipping I'll candle a few.

The manufacturers setting in the incubator was 37.8c and after reading lots about forced air incubators I changed it to 37.5c I wonder if I delayed them by doing that.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Thank you for your advice!

I haven't candled since lockdown. Do you think I should have a look at a few?

Sorry, I didn't explain very well. I didn't expect any to hatch at day 18, but they were alive when I candled on day 18.

I agree with temperature thermometer variation. I've been watching it and the new metre isn't always lower, they both fluctuate but there is a delay between them. I guess because the built-in metre is on the lid and my metre is at egg height.

I wouldn't really bother candling now. The reason I asked if you had candled was to know if the eggs had quit early.

The best reasonably priced thermometers accurate out of the box I've used are:

https://www.thermoworks.com/RT301WA This one can be inserted into one of the air holes, is calibratable and is accurate to ±0.5°C

https://www.brinsea.com/p-394-spot-check-digital-incubator-thermometer.aspx
This one is accurate to ± 0.2ºF. The only issue I have with it is that it only displays if it is between 90F and 104F. Above and below that range it only displays an H or L. You know it is off, you just don't know by how much.

my new favorite and a combination thermometer/hygrometer is the Govee temperature humidity monitor model h5074. It is Bluetooth and as long as you're within range, you can monitor it on your smart phone. It constantly monitors to the minute and stores data for 30 days and has cloud storage for 2 years.
Calibratable and accurate to ±0.54℉, and humidity is ±3%RH
https://www.amazon.com/Govee-Thermo...t=&hvlocphy=9022820&hvtargid=pla-768559077094

 

[CotswoldChucks]

I wouldn't really bother candling now. The reason I asked if you had candled was to know if the eggs had quit early.

The best reasonably priced thermometers accurate out of the box I've used are:

https://www.thermoworks.com/RT301WA This one can be inserted into one of the air holes, is calibratable and is accurate to ±0.5°C

https://www.brinsea.com/p-394-spot-check-digital-incubator-thermometer.aspx
This one is accurate to ± 0.2ºF. The only issue I have with it is that it only displays if it is between 90F and 104F. Above and below that range it only displays an H or L. You know it is off, you just don't know by how much.

my new favorite and a combination thermometer/hygrometer is the Govee temperature humidity monitor model h5074. It is Bluetooth and as long as you're within range, you can monitor it on your smart phone. It constantly monitors to the minute and stores data for 30 days and has cloud storage for 2 years.
Calibratable and accurate to ±0.54℉, and humidity is ±3%RH
https://www.amazon.com/Govee-Thermo...t=&hvlocphy=9022820&hvtargid=pla-768559077094

This is very good information, thank you!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

...

I agree with temperature thermometer variation. I've been watching it and the new metre isn't always lower, they both fluctuate but there is a delay between them. I guess because the built-in metre is on the lid and my metre is at egg height.

The fluctuation isn't uncommon. Much of that fluctuation is both a function of how frequently the thermometer samples and the fact that most incubators heat elements are either on or off at any given moment.