Incubator died overnight!

[sashacat]

The heat in the incubator quit overnight. We are 5 days from hatch with 5 duck eggs and 9 chicken. (chickens were added after a week so they would all hatch at about the same time.). The temp was down to 70 when I got up this morning. I have my infrared heater on them about the right temp now, Husband ran for a cheap incubator to get us thru 5 days. Do they have a chance? Haven't candled to see if there is movement yet, will do so when we move them to the new incubator! AARRGG!! 5 days!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

They may be OK. Never assume the worst outcome till it happens. Near hatching they can handle temp swings better. Too cool is better than too hot.
Be very careful with infrared as it heats what it is aimed at and could overheat the eggs.
You'd probably be better off with just a regular incandescent or halogen bulb.

 

[sashacat]

Thanks ChickenCanoe! Got the new incubator running, waiting for the temp to stabilize. Took the infrared away, it was about 102 at top of eggs. Don't know how warm they got on the inside. They were under it for about an hour. Just covered them with towels now till the new one is ready. Don't have the luxury of running it for 8 hours first, but will try to have it stable! My poor eggs. Gonna wait for a broody momma next time!