Having trouble stabilizing incubator temp

[tumnus]

Hiya. I use a Janoel12 incubator. I'm currently incubating ducks, which need a temperature of around 99.5 degrees F. I got the incubator to the right temperature for a couple days before setting, but after I put the eggs in, it's been kind of a mess.

I have a mercury thermometer resting atop the eggs as well as another digital thermometer/hygrometer inside to double check the temperature. The mercury thermometer reads about 98/99, the digital thermometer reads 97, and the incubator is set to 100. The room temperature has been stable at around 66 degrees.

I'm kind of at a loss about the best way to address this. I'm reluctant to increase the temperature further but I'm also worried it's too cold. What would you do in this situation?

 

[WVduckchick]

Did you test the thermometers first for accuracy? They could be off. Does the incubator have a fan?

Also, they should not be touching the eggs, if you can help it. The surface temp of the eggs can be slightly higher than inside the egg.

Also, it's better to err low than high until you get it figured out.

Good luck with your hatch! Ducklings are the cutest!!

 

[Altfrizzle]

The Janoel has a hard time keeping temp in a cooler room, in my experience. I'd believe it's lower than the set temp, for that reason. (i.e. trust the other thermos)

I'd try to insulate it somehow. I had mine placed on top of a few folded towels, and had a few big fluffy scarves wrapped around it. I wouldn't adjust the JN12 thermo up higher, though.

 

[Percheron chick]

I ran my incubator this spring in a very cold back bedroom. Set it on some towels then set an apple box over it to help trap the heat.

because your incubator is so small, it just doesn't have the mass to maintain temperature. You need to insulate it somehow.

 

[WVduckchick]

Insulate, but don't block the ventilation. The oxygen exchange is vital.