Incubator temps.

[Briandavis1652]

I have a hova-bator with a fan and automatic thermometer and a older hava-bator without a fan and regular disk heater. I have read (well not read, had the computer read, I'm blind) that the temp for a fan incubator needs to be 99.5 degrees.right? and the non fan model needs to be 103 degrees? Is this true and why is there a difference in temperature? And thank you for the eggs..... not sure you want me to say who, but Carson loves them and can not wait to see his little babies when they hatch.

 

[Intheswamp]

Howdy Brian. Here is the basic answers to your questions.

I would feel more comfortable with a still air incubator at 102 degrees. The temperature inside the still air incubator will stratify into different temperature layers. At the very top of the eggs the temperature should be 102 degrees. Being as heat rises, a thermometer would read a bit cooler temperature if at a lower level in the incubator. With the temperature at 102 degrees at the top of the egg, the temperature in the middle of the egg should be around 99.5 degrees.

As for the forced air incubator, since the air temperature is constantly stirred it doesn't have a chance to stratify so anywhere in the incubator should read 99.5 degrees.

Hope this helps some and hope I didn't mis-speak.

Best wishes,
Ed

 

[Briandavis1652]

Thank you for your timely response. I will have my wife adjust the temperature up a little in the no fan model.