"just getting started" from the Neb/ Iowa border Omaha council bluff area.

Hello and welcome to BYC If you are using a forced air incubator (with a fan) aim for a temperature of 99* and for a still air incubator (no fan) you can go up to 101*-102*, but not higher than that. Temperatures lower than 98*-99* will delay development of the embryo, resulting in delayed hatches and higher temperatures can either kill the embryo or result in handicapped chicks. I'll spare you the details, but make sure your temperature is spot on.

Humidity, aim for 45%-55% during days 1-18 and on day 18 you "lockdown", stop turning the eggs, remove the turner if possible and up humidity to 60%-65% Again not too high or you can drown the chick.

I'm afraid I can't tell you which shops you can buy a thermometer and hygrometer, I'm not in the US, but my guess would be a hardware shop. Don't buy cheap equipment as they are often not accurate. I've learned this lesson with a cheap thermometer. It read about 8* under the actual temperature and I ended up cooking my eggs! Good quality equipment will save you lots of heartache and wasted eggs!

When you are ready to start hatching or if you have any more questions you are welcome to join is on this thread:

Diary & Notes ~ Air Cell Detatched SHIPPED Eggs

You will find some excellent info and a few seasoned hatchers there. Merry Christmas!