Incubator without temperature?

[Chickenfeeder22]

So I'm very new at incubating and hatching eggs, but know how to take care of chicks once they're born. I was given an old incubator but there's no temperature gauge. I know the temperature is important, but is there any other way/suggestion to keep an eye on temperature? It also doesn't turn automatically so I need to turn the eggs manually. How often should I be turning the eggs? If anyone has any good resources to help, please send them my way! Thank you!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

but there's no temperature gauge. I know the temperature is important, but is there any other way/suggestion to keep an eye on temperature? It also doesn't turn automatically so I need to turn the eggs manually. How often should I be turning the eggs? If anyone has any good resources to help, please send them my way! Thank you

Hi there, hope you are enjoying BYC!

Built in gauges are woefully inaccurate anyways.. use you own calibrated thermometer and check the temp at the top of the eggs, since that is where the embryonic development takes place and still air incubators the heat stratifies... hot air rises, cool air falls.. still air bators will be cooler at the bottom of the eggs. You could also do well to have a calibrated hygrometer... as humidity does impact incubation and hatch-ability though not quite as seriously as temperature.

Do your own turning... NOT less than 3 times per day, preferably always and ODD amount of turns so that it's left in an opposite position each night during the extended non turning time, to aid equal development. Mark an X and O on opposite sides of the egg... I draw a line in between on 1 side only to help show which way to roll back and forth as to not just turn over and over.

One of the best resources I have found...
Incubation guide

And where I found that resource as well as much other information...
Hatching Eggs 101

FWIW... I got my VERY best hatches... in a still air hand turning bator with no built in thermometer/hygrometer....

Still air incubation... 101.5-102. Circulated air would be 99.5. If your thermometer is accurate.. chicken eggs should hatch on day 21.

Happy hatching!

 

[mill-j]

My first incubators were still air with the wafer thermostat. As mentioned above all you need is a calibrated thermometer inside. I also like to add a hygrometer to measure the humidity.

It'll probably take several hatches before you get the temperature and humidity where it works best for you.

Have fun!