Hatching Guineas for the first time! It's Day 26!

[TarheelBirdy]

Of course, I have no idea why my keets pipped late. I am only assuming. I did the best I could.

 

[PeepsCA]

I'm not going to argue with you. Look it up, seriously. The info provided in the LG instruction most likely applies to the 10200 model or the 9200 with the fan kit added.

 

[TarheelBirdy]

I certainly didn't want to start any discord here. Kbagwell, no need to be adverserial. I think honestly everyone here does the best they can with their hatches, and also with one another. Anyway.....for my own peace of mind, I did go find the instructions for the LG.....and it gives pretty vague info. It gives "hatching temperature" for Guineas as 99.5 using the incubator itself - no specification as to still air or forced air. I took this to mean it should be used the entire time, and that's what I did.

 

[whenchickensdream]

Yes, you did the best you could. I usually do pretty good with hatches (only chickens and turkeys). I have the same incubator as you and it does say 99.5. Mine has kept that temp pretty well. They do hatch early for me. This last time the turkeys didn't hatch as well, not sure what is going on. Where did you read to up the temp to 102*? I am going to set guinnea eggs and turkey eggs on Sunday. We all try the best we can with what we know. I hope the 2 little ones are doing okay. Glad you set some more!

I see where you read 102*! Sorry I didn't read all before starting to write. Just remember each hatch is different and we can only do the best that we know to do!

 

[kyle7630]

I've read several places that the temp needs to be slightly higher in still air incubators. I have an LG forced air, but on my first chicken hatch the fan could not turn and I my hatch at 99.5 didn't work well( 40%). I think they use the same general box and instructions for several models and combos, and it can be a little vague. Sorry to hear about your hatch. It's good that you have more eggs to try again.

 

[Kbagwell1]

I'm not trying to argue with anyone.....

BUT...I am confused as to where you all get this info?? Why would LG print this in their instructions if its not right? I have been incubating in LG still airs (I have 3) for over 3 months, staggered hatching, even use the third one as a hatcher!!!

I also have a strofoam Hovabator....also still air....the directions on it say to keep it at 100 degrees...is that wrong too?

Like I said, I'm not trying to argue...just want to know where you all get your information but apparently I missed the memo about not following directions!

 

[mrsfarmchick1]

I am using a LG with a fan I installed, but I see different temps thoughout - so I bought the Brinsea Spot Check thermometer and put it down a the level of the eggs to make sure it is 99.5 at the middle part of the eggs.

 

[PeepsCA]

http://msucares.com/poultry/reproductions/poultry_environment.html
There are articles of this stature all across the internet regarding still air incubation, and altho this article pertains to chicken eggs, it explains clearly about still air temps. If you google still air incubation temperature it pulls up hundreds of links to websites that say higher temps are needed in a still air incubator. I did a lot of research prior to starting my incubation endeavor. I've hatched over 600 keets and I plan to hatch at least another 200-300 more before this year's laying season is over (Guinea Fowl eggs only).

Your target temp for the center of the egg is 99.5 degrees, the temp at the top of the egg needs to be 101.5-102 degrees. Since heat rises, in a still air incubator the temp at the bottom of the egg will be the lowest and obviously the warmest at top of the eggs (101.5-102 degrees), which is where the thermometer provided with the eggs is usually laid so you can read it thru a viewing window.

When you circulate the air, the temp is more even all around the egg, (not cool at the bottom, warm at the top), that's why the recommended temp needs to be 99.5 degrees in a circulated air incubator. 99.5 degrees is the target temp for Guinea Fowl eggs.

I have 2 LGs, the internal temps varied quite a bit depending on where I placed my thermometers, (drastically warmer and cooler spots) which made me uncomfortable so I added fans to both of them because I wanted more even temps throughout the interior of the incubator.

BTW... the thermometers that come with the LG are very rarely accurate, I have 4 of them and they all read different readings. Only one of them was within a 1/2 of a degree when calibrated with an accurate thermometer. The rest were 2-3 degrees off from being accurate

I'm not a huge fan of LG incubators and thermometers, others may have great success with them but I prefer if possible to use my Hovabator Genesis 1588's for all of my incubating and my LGs for just hatching, which they work fine for.