Incubator Temperture

[Ringtailtwister]

This is going to be my first time hatching in my incubator, and I need to know if my temperature is ok. I let it run all night and it is kicking on at 98.3 and off at 100.1. Is this ok for chicken eggs and how much water do I need to start out with in the bottom?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I think it should go up a bit. If it is kicking on at 98.3, that's likely the internal egg temp and it should be one degree higher.

 

[silkiecuddles]

Are you planning on doing low-humidity hatching, or the "normal" humidity? For low humidity, AKA dry hatching, it should be around %30. For the "normal", it's 45%. Dey hatch you don't need to add any water till day 18, lockdown. For both ways, lockdown needs to be 65% humidity.

 

[LindaPaquette]

Hello.. I run my incubator at 99.5 degrees. The humidity is the hardest part to control for me.. mine runs between 40-60% most of the time.. but we have had some really sticky humid days making it hard. I'm using a small incubator purchased at Tractor Supply.

 

[Ringtailtwister]

Thanks to everyone for the info. I'll keep tinkering with it and try to get right. I don't want to loose my first hatch. I'm going to do a wet hatch from what I've read it seems to work best. If any one has any more suggestions please post them.
Mark N.

Dynamite Hollow Farms

 

[Ringtailtwister]

I've got it coming on at 99.7 and going off at 100.4 is that close?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

That should be good. Does it have a fan? If not, where is the thermometer in relation to the eggs - top, bottom or middle?

 

[Ringtailtwister]

I'll try this again the last time I tried to post it disappeared.

I have adjusted it a little more now the thermostat turns on at 100.3. If it is warming it will continue to rise to 100.8 then start to fall at 100.3 it quits heating and will drop to 99.9 before it kicks back on. My incubator is a Roll-X1 with a fan and automatic egg turner. I have a digital Radio Shack indoor / outdoor thermometer which I have the sensor taped to a plastic dish just off center of the incubator. I'm testing and getting ready to start some Buff Orpington eggs next week.

 

[GAQuail]

I'll try this again the last time I tried to post it disappeared.  I have adjusted it a little more now the thermostat turns on at 100.3. If it is warming it will continue to rise to 100.8 then start to fall at 100.3  it quits heating and will drop to 99.9 before it kicks back on. My incubator is a Roll-X1 with a fan and automatic egg turner. I have a digital Radio Shack indoor / outdoor thermometer which  I have the sensor taped to a plastic dish just off center of the incubator. I'm testing and getting ready to start some Buff Orpington eggs next week.  

The Roll-X1 is a pretty old incubator. I have one as well as a newer Rx2. A properly functioning roll X1 should have a more consistent temperature than what your seeing. I'm guessing it has a wafer thermostat. If the wafer is old it may be causing the temperature swing. Wafers should be changed every 3-5 years. It could also be your thermometer is overly sensitive. I have no idea how accurate that radio shack thermometer is. Your temperature should be between 99.5 and 100 degrees in that incubator. 100.8 is too warm but as I stated I have no idea if that reading is accurate.

 

[Ringtailtwister]

How often should it cycle on and off? Mine is cycling ever minute to ever minute and a half. I just bought this from a guy and he said his wife used it more than he did, but see got good hatches out of it. I think he said it had been 3 or 5 years since he used it. Some one had put a hole in the corner of the dome where I think a water bottle suppose to go in. I put some duct tape over the hole since I read your post to see if it helps. I should have a new wafer in the mail box I didn't check today. I'll put the new one in if it came and see what that does.
Every one please send me your post you think can help this newbee.

Mark

Dynamite Hollow Farms