I did a stupid...please advise

[marcuscarr]

I put my eggs in the incubator last night at 9pm and it didn't seem to be getting up to temp, so I turned it up. Then I realized that I was supposed to let it sit for a day or so to get acclimated....so, I turned it down a little.

This morning the temp was 95.8 in the wiggler. I barely touched it to bring it up again and will check it at noon.

My question is this...Is it ok to take a couple days to warm up to 99.5? or did I just screw everything up.

at least I didn't cook them =]

 

[DrakeMaiden]

You might be ok. Best not to cook them is right. If they are slightly cool, I would think they are just getting a slow start.

I had temp fluctuations when I first started my eggs last year too, but I stuck around until it worked itself out, so I only had about half a day of fluctuation before I got it together.

Never give up until you know for sure that they're dead.

 

[jab91864]

Well all in all I think you will be ok. Sometimes lower temps will cause a late hatch, so if in the end they are lagging behind that could be why. I don't believe you should pitch eggs til day 24 just in case.

As you now know the hardest part in the beginning is NOT touching to tweek. I think we have all been guilty of this at one time or another. And remember hens don't sit tight from the get go.

I think you stand as much of a chance at a successful hatch as the rest of us.

Good luck, and keep us updated!!

Julie

 

[Katy]

That's why I like electronic thermostats......They aren't as easy to adjust too much one way or the other like the dial ones are.

 

[kartking22]

I believe that you will be fine. A hen in a natural state will get on and off of her nest many times before deciding to set. Warming the older eggs and laying more in the process, getting off of the nest to eat and drink, etc. The warming /cooling process is natural throughout the incubation cycle of the hens need to eat and drink daily. Although the hen knows exactly how much heat loss and how long to stay off of the nest is her secret, she hasn't told me yet. Just have to give her credit for being a good mother to her babies. I'll let you know if she tells me her secret.

 

[marcuscarr]

I called home...the temp in the wiggler is 98.8, the ambient temp was 99.4 and humidity is 46%. I asked my wife to just barely touch the dial toward the hot side. I will check again in a few hours.

All said and done, the eggs will have warmed from room temp to 99.5 in about 17 hours. The warming would have been gradual, nothing spikey.

I feel pretty good about that.

Marcus

 

[marcuscarr]

Temp update

ambient 100.1
wiggler 99.5
humidity 45%

This has been holding for about an hour so far.

 

[tazcat70]

Woohoo!!! Sounds good, now only 20 more days of worry to go. Good luck!

 

[marcuscarr]

23 hours into the process and all is well!

ambient 100.4
wiggler 99.5
humidity 44%

 

[WriterofWords]

I know I'm new, but I can't help but think that if they weren't overheated and baked they should be ok. Considering how often a hen does leave her nest and I've never seen one check a thermometer either! Do you think the hens worry as much as we do or is it an inherited "worry gene" that humans are born with?
K