Incubator temperature

[wendybowen131]

At day 18 "lockdown" I added an additional thermometer w/ a hygrometer. Looks like my temperature has been at 95 instead of 99.5 like the thermometer on my incubator was reading. Will my eggs hatch at 95 degrees? I'm on day 22 & haven't seen anything.

 

[Silo]

Is the incubator a still air or forced air?

 

[wendybowen131]

Still air

 

[junebuggena]

They may be a few days late, or they may not hatch at all.

 

[wendybowen131]

It's the Little Giant from Tractor Supply.

 

[Silo]

I have the same one. Most people will tell you to keep the temp around 101.5 for the still air.

 

[wendybowen131]

I bought 6 chicks at Tractor Supply yesterday thinking they aren't hatching. Very discouraging! Not sure I will try again.

 

[FarmerTony]

Extensive research by poultry professionals shows that the optimum conditions for hatching chickens are - 100 F 60% humidity, 12 cubic feet per hour of airflow, Oxygen minimum 20% and Carbon dioxide maximum 0.5% (5000 ppm). Lower the temperature to 95 and raise humidity to 70-75% during the last week.

Not trying to start a flame war with anyone, but any variation from these effects hatchout. You may still get eggs to hatch, but the hatch rate will be below the industry standard of 85%.