i don't trust my incubator

[Juliemarso]

This is going to be my first time hatching. i thought i did all the research but i missed the part about not using the thermometer that comes with the incubator. (sigh) well i did and the temp keep rising and dropping after it held a consistent 99.5 for 24 hours. is this normal? i only put 13 eggs setting from our flock just to see if i could hatch them. im using a Little Giant 9200 still air incubator (junk, lol) with egg turner... any suggestions? should i wait it out, or move them to another incubator? my dad has a good old-fashioned metal one that i will try next.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I don't trust any thermometer till proven correct even if it is the one from the incubator mfg..
The 2 best thermometers I've discovered that don't cost an arm and a leg are the Brinsea spot check and the Thermoworks superfast calibratable pocket type.
http://www.brinsea.com/p-394-spot-check-digital-incubator-thermometer.aspx
http://www.thermoworks.com/RT301WA
Both are extremely accurate and accurate enough for incubation.

If you do everything else right and you have poor hatches, late or early hatches, suspect the thermometer.

 

[venymae]

FIRST: STILL AIR incubators need to be set at 101-102 F. I suggest 101.5 to give you some wiggle room.
SECOND: What's really important is that you calibrate your thermometer. If you can't with the built in one, you will need to get a secondary one (I use aquarium thermometer's in a pinch since they are cheap, calibratable and available at walmart/petstores). Measure the temperature from the top of the eggs.
THIRD: The issue with temps going up and down in your 'bator is because of the junky THERMOSTAT. As long as the internal temp of the eggs stay consistent you should be ok though! They take longer to change so if the temps even out with the highs/lows the eggs will be ok. If you don't have many eggs in right now, I suggest getting some egg shaped rocks and putting them in the empty turning slots. They will add thermal mass to incubator, so that the temps don't fluctuate as much.

 

[Juliemarso]

FIRST: STILL AIR incubators need to be set at 101-102 F. I suggest 101.5 to give you some wiggle room.
SECOND: What's really important is that you calibrate your thermometer. If you can't with the built in one, you will need to get a secondary one (I use aquarium thermometer's in a pinch since they are cheap, calibratable and available at walmart/petstores). Measure the temperature from the top of the eggs.
THIRD: The issue with temps going up and down in your 'bator is because of the junky THERMOSTAT. As long as the internal temp of the eggs stay consistent you should be ok though! They take longer to change so if the temps even out with the highs/lows the eggs will be ok. If you don't have many eggs in right now, I suggest getting some egg shaped rocks and putting them in the empty turning slots. They will add thermal mass to incubator, so that the temps don't fluctuate as much.

Thank you for the info!

 

[Juliemarso]

I don't trust any thermometer till proven correct even if it is the one from the incubator mfg..
The 2 best thermometers I've discovered that don't cost an arm and a leg are the Brinsea spot check and the Thermoworks superfast calibratable pocket type.
http://www.brinsea.com/p-394-spot-check-digital-incubator-thermometer.aspx
http://www.thermoworks.com/RT301WA
Both are extremely accurate and accurate enough for incubation.

If you do everything else right and you have poor hatches, late or early hatches, suspect the thermometer.

thank you!

 

[Harmony Fowl]

I’m using an egg turner for the second time and . . . plug up that hole where the wire goes out. A cotton ball or tissue with some masking tape. Refasten it as often as you open it. That hole made a huge difference in the temperature consistency of my incubator. It’s not perfect but a lot better with that hole plugged.