First timer hatching.

[milkman]

My children pooled their report card money and bought an incubator and egg turner from Tractor Supply Company.
The kids saved a few eggs from our RIR hens to start the process.

My question is, after thinking I had the temp set right after letting it set all night, after placing eggs and replacing the thermometer on top of the eggs like directed I realized I was off on the temp and it was 102* for an hour before I stated trying to get the temp to the recomended 99.5*.
I had the temp a little low for an half hour also before getting it right.

What are my chances I will not hatch any eggs?
Or am I going to be alright?

Rookie mistake I know.

 

[happyhensny]

Wait and see and good luck!

 

[kelseygirl707]

I think they will be OK, I've gone up to 106, and still had hatches, but if I am correct, the Tractor Supply incubator is a Little Giant, which does not have a fan, so being still air it would need to be around 102 anyway.

 

[chickenlittle32]

They will surprise you...one time our incubator went unplugged for a couple hours and went down to 85* within a week left of hatching...they all hatched!! Good luck!

 

[kennedyscochins]

I am a first timer at hatching with an incubator too. I always just let my older hens do their own thing. I had a spike in temp one night. When I woke up, it was 106!!! I have also woke up and it said 94!!!! I have had a terrible time keeping mine regulated because we have been using the wood stove instead of the central heat. So, the temp. fluctuations in the house have affected the incubator. Now, having said that, I candled part of my eggs and all of the ones I candled seem to be fine. Here's hoping! Good luck!

 

[kathyinmo]

What kind of incubator do you have?
Still air should be at 102
Circulated air (with a fan) at 99.5

You should be fine, as it gets regulated.

 

[milkman]

Yes it is a still air incubator.

So, should it be at 102* instead of the 99.5*?

Thanks for all the replies!!!

 

[kelseygirl707]

Yes, if I remember right it should be between 101.5 and 102. If you have issues keeping a steady temp, consider putting an old computer fan in it, that's what I did with my first little giant incubator, and it helped A LOT!

 

[milkman]

I took one of the red "plugs" out of the top of the Little Giant per instructions... I bet that was iif I had a fan in it too?

I am very green at this.

Temp has regulated between 101* and 102* now.

Thanks!!

 

[Apprentice_egger]

I'm also a first time setter, and I have 7 in my LG incubator. I have had ups and downs in temperature and kept mine on the cooler side. To get the humidity I need in my dry winter climate I have had to keep both big plugs in. It's a good thing there are small ventilation holes to keep air flow through the incubator. I have candled twice and the chicks are developing well. I have kept an eye on this incubator and not let it go for long without a tweek here and there for temp and humidity. My advice is to stay between 99.5* and 102* and not sweat the little aboves and belows for a short time.