If you had to choose: 99F or 100F?

[Kafen]

I know the ideal setting for an incubator is 99.5F, but unfortunately the thermostat I have in my DIY coolerbater is only able to be set in whole numbers. So that leaves the question: 99F or 100F?

There is a 1 degree variance on either side and it cycles every couple minutes. But I’m not sure what I should set it at. What would you do?

 

[LynnaePB]

I actually prefer temps slightly higher than 99.5 myself. I've usually had good luck with temps around 100 when incubating my silkies eggs. I'd probably go with 100 first and then next time try 99 if the hatch doesn't go as well as hoped.

That being said I don't think you'd really be going wrong either way. Good luck with whichever you choose!

 

[Kafen]

I actually prefer temps slightly higher than 99.5 myself. I've usually had good luck with temps around 100 when incubating my silkies eggs. I'd probably go with 100 first and then next time try 99 if the hatch doesn't go as well as hoped.

That being said I don't think you'd really be going wrong either way. Good luck with whichever you choose!

Thank you, good to know!

 

[LilEdieBouvierBeale]

I saw an article about incubating eggs at a slightly lower temperature will hatch less males.

We have not tried this, but was wondering if anyone else has and noticed this to be true?

 

[MGG]

I've heard amd seen quite a few studies that slightly higher temps help brain development, producing more intelligent birds. I would go with slightly higher temps. I incubated a batch of eggs in my forced air incubator at 102, I only had one loss, all the rest hatched on day 17. So I've never had any issues with it.

 

[LilEdieBouvierBeale]

@MGG
That's an interesting point. I was wondering if lower temperature, while potentially reducing the amount of roosters hatching, might also have some other potentially negative side effects.

I'd like to see that study. Interested in how they measure their intelligence.

 

[MGG]

@MGG
That's an interesting point. I was wondering if lower temperature, while potentially reducing the amount of roosters hatching, might also have some other potentially negative side effects.

I'd like to see that study. Interested in how they measure their intelligence.

Its actually for wild ducks, but here it is. Came across it while researching buliding wood duck nest boxes.
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0047777

 

[Kafen]

I've heard amd seen quite a few studies that slightly higher temps help brain development, producing more intelligent birds. I would go with slightly higher temps. I incubated a batch of eggs in my forced air incubator at 102, I only had one loss, all the rest hatched on day 17. So I've never had any issues with it.

Interesting! I had a temperature spike to 108F with my last batch, so I think I’m a bit nervous about going too high. But that’s good to know. Lots of mine still hatched though! I figure there probably lots of broody hens hatching chicks in not so ideal circumstances.

 

[Kafen]

I saw an article about incubating eggs at a slightly lower temperature will hatch less males.

We have not tried this, but was wondering if anyone else has and noticed this to be true?

So weird! I found this article: https://www.google.ca/amp/s/www.ind...n-change-the-sex-of-chickens-1238516.html?amp

It does say that the resulting “female” chickens will only produce male offspring. No so good if I want any pullets from these eggs to be breeding stock!

But it’s still so cool, I’d love to learn more about the science behind it!

 

[LilEdieBouvierBeale]

So weird! I found this article: https://www.google.ca/amp/s/www.independent.co.uk/news/a-drop-in-temperature-can-change-the-sex-of-chickens-1238516.html?amp

It does say that the resulting “female” chickens will only produce male offspring. No so good if I want any pullets from these eggs to be breeding stock!

But it’s still so cool, I’d love to learn more about the science behind it!

Hard to know what to trust I guess.