What we do when we have thermometers disagree is get a cup of ice water. put the thermometer in and see how far off 32 degree F it is..... That is the number we add or subtract to get the correct temp in the bator.I'll be hatching for the first time in my classroom. I am setting my eggs on Earth Day (April 22) and they should hatch the week of May 12 for Mother's Day.
I am using a Hovabator 1620N with an egg turner. I took it into the classroom last week to see how it holds temp and humidity. It seemed to be doing well until I got another thermometer/hydrometer. They do not agree!
I am getting 4 or 5 lavender orpingtons to hatch for my flock and have had 5 people on local chicken keeping groups on Facebook donate eggs to increase my odds of hatching. They said they'd take them back if needed which is great because this will be my first flock and I ordered chicks back in February to come the same week as my hatch week.
I have coming that week 2 barred rock pullets, 3 black australorp SR, 3 BLRW SR, 2 BO SR, 3 GLW pullets, and 2 RIR pullets. So I have 16 chicks coming plus whatever lavenders hatch.
We are going to start the coop this week. I am so excited! Glad to be joining you all!