Help! Temp too high.

[Mcranton]

I found my incubator temp at 105f this morning! Usually at 102. I cooled the eggs and got it back to 102. Will they make it! We are day 8. Silkie eggs.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

This write-up will explain about temperature fluctuations.

http://www.brinsea.com/Articles/Advice/PowerOff.aspx

Does it have a fan? Where are you measuring temperature? Top or bottom of eggs or elsewhere?

102 is too high for a forced air or measuring any where near the eggs.

99.5 at the middle egg height. or 101.5 at the top of the eggs.

 

[Mcranton]

Still air Styrofoam older one. I am really new to chickens and brand new to hatching. I am heartbroken! Temp is measuring close to height of eggs because it is sitting in the same rack.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Do you mean on the floor that the eggs sit on or on top of the eggs?

If the thermometer is on the wire that the eggs are sitting on and it's reading 102, that's approximately 102.5 at the middle of the egg. Way too high. Not all thermometers are extremely accurate so if it's off a degree or two (on the low side) then that would be a fatal temperature.
Place an oral thermometer (more reliable) next to your incubator thermometer and compare them.

Did you read the brinsea write-up on temperature?

 

[Mcranton]

I mean on the wire mesh floor that the eggs sit on. It now reads 100.4 and I placed an oral one at the level of the eggs. Will check asap. The floor one read 105 this morning. I cooled the eggs in cool water dipping them in slowly for very few seconds. But it may be too late.

 

[Mcranton]

Not sure about the article. I have been reading lots and it scares me!

 

[Mcranton]

Oral thermometer reads 101 with floor one at 100.4.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Therefor it is reading a half degree low so it means the incubator is even hotter.

I wouldn't dip the eggs in water cold water on a hot egg will draw bacteria into the egg.
If you need to cool eggs, just leave the lid off for a half hour or so.

The brinsea article I posted in post #2 will answer all your questions about high and low temperatures during incubation and how long they can be at that temperature before damage is done.

 

[Mcranton]

Your link takes me to an error page. I tried searching for it with no luck.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

search for the Brinsea incubator site.
www.brinsea.com
click on the customer service tab
then click on incubation advice
then click on the 10th item "What If the Power Goes Off?"