Incubator Temperature Spike!

[MabelTheMuscovy]

Hi,

I have just had a look at my incubator and in the 3 hours since I last checked it it has, at some point, increased to 39.4C. I am unsure how long it stayed there, though the extra thermometer can vary a fair bit in a short time. It was back to 38.2 when I checked which should be okay, but will my baby chicks have died???
Also if anybody could just clarify exactly what the humidity should be during incubation I'd be super grateful.... I have heard lots of varying advice! Ive been trying to keep it between 40-55% but it has occasionally slipped up to 65% for a wee while but it wasn't a long time so should not have affected it much.

Thanks for any help!,

N

 

[Sarah B.]

The temperature is supposed to be 37.5. I think your chicks should be fine, just make sure you try to lower it once you see it be too high. My temp went once up to 41 and my chicks are still hatching. Got one healthy little darling already hatched. Just don't fret, I'm sure they're fine. And 65% is way too high. It's supposed to be 45%. Well, unless you're on lockdown.

What day are you on? You forgot to say. If you're on day 7/12/14/17 I recommend candling. Keep us posted how it goes.

 

[MabelTheMuscovy]

I think I've sorted the temp now. I'm not too worried about the humidity... for the most part it has been between 40 and 50%. Its much more stable now, as most of the variation was in the first couple of days just while I was trying to get the incubator settled. Im on day 11. Candled on day 7 and 12/12 fertile and wiggling around in there a wee bit!!!!! Did one yesterday evening just to check the high temp hadn't killed them... it definitely hadn't I could see him moving around quite the thing and looking good. Phew! I'll do a full candling of them all in a couple of days.