Is this too hot?

[Welshies]

So I'm busy testing my homemade incubator. I found the right wattage of bulb, however... my temperature is hovering at 101°F. I plan to hatch out quail which need 99°-100° F. Is 101 too hot?

 

[WVduckchick]

Does it have a fan? 101-102 is recommended for still air.

101 won't kill them, if it does have a fan, but they may hatch a little early.

 

[Welshies]

Does it have a fan? 101-102 is recommended for still air.

101 won't kill them, if it does have a fan, but they may hatch a little early.

It has a fan. I just moved it out to the garage (I was testing it in the house at first) where the outside air is a little cooler.
However I don't have any vents or anything, so I'm not sure how effective the fan would be. Does it need to have small vents to be considered "forced air"?

 

[WVduckchick]

It needs vents for oxygen exchange. The eggs won't develop properly without ventilation. (it's an often overlooked factor of incubating)

 

[Welshies]

It needs vents for oxygen exchange. The eggs won't develop properly without ventilation. (it's an often overlooked factor of incubating)

Wow, okay. Did not know that! How much should I add and where should i put it?

 

[WVduckchick]

Wow, okay. Did not know that! How much should I add and where should i put it?

Maybe check some of the homemade incubator threads. I'm not really sure on the amount necessary or the proper placement.
@BantyChooks a little help, please?

 

[Welshies]

Maybe check some of the homemade incubator threads. I'm not really sure on the amount necessary or the proper placement.
@BantyChooks a little help, please?

Also (both of you), if I need it a little warmer, will tinfoil on the roof or a side (in order to reflect eggs towards heat) help?

 

[BantyChooks]

Maybe check some of the homemade incubator threads. I'm not really sure on the amount necessary or the proper placement.
@BantyChooks a little help, please?

Generally recommended is 4--8 1/3 to 3/4" (the latter is rather large if you're doing more than a few) holes around the sides. Personally, I just sunk a drill in the sides a few times until it looked right. You can always cover them if there's an issue. Putting one by the fan back would help make sure the air kept moving. That's what several of us do.

As to the temperature, I would not incubate at 101* forced air... that's really pushing it, IMO... embryos are tough but you may well have issues with deformities and low hatch rates. Is there a reason you cannot use a broody?

 

[WVduckchick]

Also (both of you), if I need it a little warmer, will tinfoil on the roof or a side (in order to reflect eggs towards heat) help?

She has a thread of her build, and did tons of research while building it. Pretty sure she lined with something reflective, but can't remember the details.

eta. I'm slow. Lol

 

[Welshies]

Generally recommended is 4--8 1/3 to 3/4" (the latter is rather large if you're doing more than a few) holes around the sides. Personally, I just sunk a drill in the sides a few times until it looked right. You can always cover them if there's an issue. Putting one by the fan back would help make sure the air kept moving. That's what several of us do.

As to the temperature, I would not incubate at 101* forced air... that's really pushing it, IMO... embryos are tough but you may well have issues with deformities and low hatch rates. Is there a reason you cannot use a broody?

Quaol don't go broody.
I'll do that ventilation. It cooled down to 99°F now that it's in the garage, which is appropriate. However, when I add the ventilation, if it cools down to much will adding tinfoil on the roof or 1 or 2 sides help keep it warm?