Incubator versus Broody Hen

[Palogal]

I had just started my second attempt at incubating eggs (the first was a failure with a poor quality incubator and several infertile eggs...but a definite learning experience) when one of the girls became quite broody. I waited three days (eggs went in the incubator on Monday) to confirm her "commitment" and gave her a half dozen Cream Legbar and White/Copper/Splash Maran eggs. I'm a total newbie...so all tips are welcome!

PS...am quite annoyed with the temp differences within different "zones" of the incubator. Seems like the front is 1-2 degrees cooler than the middle and the rear. Am using two thermometers and a hygrometer. Anybody every modify this type of incubator with an additional fan? Trying a towel over the front and top, but this has not made a difference. I did pull the eggs from this area to put under MO (Momma Orpington)

 

[Ridgerunner]

I'm not familiar with that specific incubator but you say it has a fan. I don't know if another fan will help but a common cause of different temperature readings is that the thermometers are not reading correctly. Have you checked that?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

PS...am quite annoyed with the temp differences within different "zones" of the incubator. Seems like the front is 1-2 degrees cooler than the middle and the rear. Am using two thermometers and a hygrometer. Anybody every modify this type of incubator with an additional fan?

This is the exact reason I move my eggs to a new spot inside the bator daily or every other day-ish... to combat temp differences even in forced air bators. It has tightened my hatch frame significantly!

Also please take note of what surface you thermometer may be touching... even at the same temp they may have different surface temp... like wood verses tile in my house... all the same ambient temp, but the tile feels sooo much cooler than wood.

Also, when I use multiple thermometers... they almost never agree. So I just take note of the differences and the locations and note if something changes on either... and take note of hatch day as it will confirm if your temp was low, high, or right on. Also I find battery operated thermometers to lose accuracy as the battery weakens.

I wouldn't personally add a second fan as buffeting may still happen.

Happy hatching!

 

[Palogal]

I'm not familiar with that specific incubator but you say it has a fan. I don't know if another fan will help but a common cause of different temperature readings is that the thermometers are not reading correctly. Have you checked that?

I have. I started with one calibrated thermometer/hygrometer (thanks, BYC) and one cheapy. They both agree on temps...and when I move them to different locations within the incubator, they "concur" with my observation that the front is cooler. Removing 6 eggs seems to have helped. The front is one degree warmer now.

 

[Palogal]

This is the exact reason I move my eggs to a new spot inside the bator daily or every other day-ish... to combat temp differences even in forced air bators. It has tightened my hatch frame significantly!

Also please take note of what surface you thermometer may be touching... even at the same temp they may have different surface temp... like wood verses tile in my house... all the same ambient temp, but the tile feels sooo much cooler than wood.

Also, when I use multiple thermometers... they almost never agree. So I just take note of the differences and the locations and note if something changes on either... and take note of hatch day as it will confirm if your temp was low, high, or right on. Also I find battery operated thermometers to lose accuracy as the battery weakens.

I wouldn't personally add a second fan as buffeting may still happen.

Happy hatching!

Thank you for the tip....will do a bit of "egg migration" so everyone gets time in the "warm spot"

 

[Fairview01]

To answer your question.

A good broody is priceless if your willing to accept a lack of egg production for an extended period of time.

Yes with a couple of computer fans placed strategically will virtually eliminate a temp gradient in a foam incubator. The incubator will still overshoot the set point unless it has a porportional tstat like the Genesis. Your thermometers should be at mid egg level. Temps at the very top are of no importance. As long as the thermometer probe isn't touching something wet it doesn't matter if it is touching something. Different materials at identical temps may feel cooler than the one beside it. It's not because its cooler its because more heat is transferred to it from the skin. A thermometer would register the same temp so long as each is the same temp.