Incubator's thermometer causing issue?

[Ridgerunner]

Last night when I was checking the temperature using my medical thermometer and i tried placing at different locations in the incubator and each time the reading was different

This article gives an interesting write-up on what is "normal" body temperature and how much normal body temperature can differ person to person and due to other factors. To convert 97 F = 36.1, 99 F =37.2, 98.2 F = 36.8 C, 98.6 F = 37 C. You might consider this when using body temperature to calibrate by.

https://www.webmd.com/first-aid/normal-body-temperature#1

A half a degree C high or low should not be fatal to all the eggs. It's not ideal but you should still get some decent hatches, they will just be early or late. The kind of temperature swings you are describing would be fatal. Does the temperature change that much if you measure the same spots at different times? Do you have something in the incubator that will block air flow?

If you had not seen that temperature difference I'd ask questions like are the eggs fertile, have you killed the embryo by how you handle or store them, or have you opened some unhatched eggs to see if or how much they developed before they died. I think you have identified the problem.

What is the make and model of that incubator? What you are describing makes no sense to me if the fan is working, but you are looking at it. My suggestion is to call the manufacturer or seller of that incubator and talk to them. I'm out of ideas.

 

[ronott1]

I would check it in an Ice bath as well just to get a low reading as a precaution.

You can't check a brinsea in an ice bath. They only read incubation temperatures.

One problem with ice bath calibration is the geometric effect of temps being off. If it is off by a little at 32. it can be off a lot more at 99.5.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I like the brinsea spot check but if it is high or low, you don't know HOW high or low.

I had a thermometer purchased from an incubator company that was correct at 70F and 4 degrees off at 100.

I may invest more down the road but for the last few years, this has been my go to thermometer.
https://www.thermoworks.com/RT301WA

 

[ChickenCanoe]

If I get a crazy amount of cash, I may get a data logger like this one that is very accurate.
https://www.thermoworks.com/ThermaData-WiFi-Thermistor-Probes
But better yet, I'll probably build my own design into my automated incubator when I get the time.

 

[BobDBirdDog]

Haw Haw! I can see someone trying to shove the whole incubator under their arm now! or submerging the unit in a bath-tub full of ice water!

(not attacking) But the Geo effect? I am thinking your are talking about the Geo in the Brinsea itself (I hope I understand as I am not well educated on the Geo (thermal?) Effect and what your pointing out)? Would the arm test not produce the same Geo effect? Is there really that much concern of inaccurate readings in such make shift test? I don't know? But I am thinking it would be of a minor issue unlike sea levle considerations of the thermometer.

Not to mention the toleration variance of the egg itself or depending on the incubation type (still or forced air) and species.

In relation to testing the thermometer under the arm "98.6f" and then doing the ice bath test ( expecting it to read between 32.5-33.0), it should give you any general variances or at least a better idea of how much the thermometer is off at the high and low ends. Thus you could make better compensation adjustments to the incubator.

I admit that I think the low end reading variance in the ice bath is more an educated estimation (or guess) as the home test does not apply to an exact science of exact 32.0f in consideration. But more so its common knowledge guess that Ice starts melting at anything above 32.0f or 0.0c and will offer some insight as to the general accuracy. Ice cold water (think very thick Icee), I guess it to be an ambiance temp range of 32.5f-33.0f and melting.

In such if I have bad readings 101.0F in the armpit test and 30.0f in an ice bath test, well I think its time to get a better thermometer or go see the doctor one. But in that pinch, where I have eggs incubating or eggs ready for incubation, even before hand, I might opt to do some simple quick test at home and do the math , get some low and high variances and consider tweaking the bator settings accordingly.

You have to admit, that unless you spend the $$ for some pro medical calibration, and mail the thermometer off for two weeks to be calibrated, the back woods home DYI methods are going to be better than nothing and offer a better awareness and understanding than not testing at all or incubating in the unknown or wrong environment settings. And if its a brinsea, (respectfully) the majority are most likely going to be low budgeting or new to the operation until they get hooked. Then maybe make the more detailed investment as they step up their operations.

I've used the methods above in my DYI calibrations ever since I have learned about the home test years ago and it has not failed me yet (96%-98%) hatch rates of over 5000 eggs/chicks, humidity test as well. So I feel its safe to say that the above suggestions are better than nothing and will suffice in a pinch and in standard practice.

again hugs and respect to all)

 

[lazy gardener]

I do not trust axillary temps. Went searching for data. Apparently, I could have a fever if my axillary temp was taken on left, but not have a fever if the temp was taken on the right! If there is that much variation from right to left, how can one trust it in the first place?

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11198790

Nor, should P.O. temp be trusted for calibration. Lots of variation there depending on person, activity level, time of day...

 

[ronott1]

Using body temp for calibrating was only for the brinsea spot check. It reads from 32-42C or 89.6F to 109.4F. It cannot be calibrated in using ice water--and it may be damaged by high or low heat. Calibrating like this would only be for piece of mind though. You really do not need to calibrate the spot check

The spot check extremely accurate for temps. the only time I have seen problems posted was when there was a batch of them exposed to moisture in Florida.

 

[aart]

A way to calibrate a thermometer is to take a medical thermometer that has already been calibrated and put that and your thermometer in a glass of warm water around incubation temperature and compare them.

Yeppers.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...incubator-thermometers-and-hygrometers.73634/