Incubator temps and variations.

[cscigu]

OK, I know that somewhere on here is a whole section on incubating, I've seen it, but cannot find it now.

I bought a little Hovabater 1602 with an egg turner. It came with a little mercury thermometer, plus I bought a digital therm/hygrometer. I started about 30 eggs on 5-24. I keep both thermometers in the incubator, and watch them closely. I also have a digital "laser" thermometer that I'll check the egg temps with occasionally. When the mercury therm reads 100, the Therm/Hygro will read 98. If I zap the eggs with the laser it will then read usually 100-101 or so.

Just how important is the constant temp, and how do you decide who to believe?

Thanks much.

 

[guru]

I have read several articles and forum posts. Some say keep to the 99.5*, some say drop 3-5 degrees for night time change. But from my experience, roughly 4 years, and 7+ incubations not counting the reptiles i used to incubate. I keep 101-102* and I have awesome %s. Only bird i found 99-100* works better is my Leghorns. I have had a 27 out of 29 quail incubation, also 33 out of 35 chickens. I do not change temps, and i do not fool with it as much as most people i just check it daily anything from 99-102 is perfect. I have also had it spike to 120 once and still good turn out, only stayed there 2-3 hours though.