How critical is temperature accuracy during lockdown?

[P-01]

I started lockdown today, where it took me a while to get the humidity levels up to where I wanted it to be.

For some reason, now that the humidity is in the 65%-75% range, I can NOT keep the temperature steady at where I've had it the previous 17/18 days. It keeps dropping 2-3 degrees below where I had it set the whole time.

I've read that some people drop the temp during lockdown, but not everyone. Will this temp drop for the last few days cause a problem, or are the chicks less affected by temperature at this stage?

 

[MysteryChicken]

What's your temperature reading?
Do you have separate hygrometer, & thermometers that are calibrated in your incubator?

 

[P-01]

What's your temperature reading?
Do you have separate hygrometer, & thermometers that are calibrated in your incubator?

That's the thing...I have one of those combined hygrometer/thermometers which can't be calibrated. I know it's not as accurate as it should be, but being that this is my first attempt (and using a homemade styrofoam incubator) I figured I'd use it.

Since it's a still-air, I've been trying to set the temp at 101, but the thermometer skips 101 and goes from 100 to 102...so it's been set and developing at 102 during the entire incubation.

Now, after I've raised the humidity, the temp keeps dropping to 99.

 

[getaclue]

99 should be fine for lockdown. I wouldn't go over 65 on humidity.

 

[MysteryChicken]

That's the thing...I have one of those combined hygrometer/thermometers which can't be calibrated. I know it's not as accurate as it should be, but being that this is my first attempt (and using a homemade styrofoam incubator) I figured I'd use it.

Since it's a still-air, I've been trying to set the temp at 101, but the thermometer skips 101 and goes from 100 to 102...so it's been set and developing at 102 during the entire incubation.

Now, after I've raised the humidity, the temp keeps dropping to 99.

During lockdown I usually drop the temperature from 99.5°F to 98-97°F since they can produce some of their own body heat around that time.

Does your Thermometer/Hygrometer look like this one?

If so they can be calibrated.

 

[P-01]

During lockdown I usually drop the temperature from 99.5°F to 98-97°F since they can produce some of their own body heat around that time.

Does your Thermometer/Hygrometer look like this one?View attachment 2245753If so they can be calibrated.

negative...it's one of those basic AcuRite ones..I attached a screen shot from a hardware store's page. I looked into the specific model, and unfortunately, I can't calibrate it.

 

[P-01]

99 should be fine for lockdown. I wouldn't go over 65 on humidity.

Thanks for the reply and the tip on humidity. I keep seeing that people's goal is 75% in case they need to open the bater for one reason or another, so it's been holding steady at around 71/72%. Worst case, if I have to open the bater to fill the water bowl, will it be safe if the humidity dips below 65% for a few minutes?

 

[getaclue]

As long as you are really fast.

 

[MysteryChicken]

negative...it's one of those basic AcuRite ones..I attached a screen shot from a hardware store's page. I looked into the specific model, and unfortunately, I can't calibrate it.

View attachment 2245762

Maybe you should get the model I have. It's inexpensive, & is very accurate. Mines humidity is only off by 1%, & temperature is spot on.

 

[MysteryChicken]

I keep my humidity at 55%-65% during lockdown.