My bator dropped temp alot for hours...do you think its ok?

[Smokin Silkies]

I am on day 19. Earlier today I took out the egg turner and added water. The temps have been steady at 99.5 since day 1 and now since I added the water and removed a red plug, (little giant w/fan). I left around 1 pm today and it was at 99.5. I came home at 10 pm and it was at 97.9. I don't know how many hours it was low. If it was that low for 8 hours, do you think it ruined my hatch? I turned the temp up and plan on setting my alarm every hour to keep checking it tonight. Do you think the eggs would be alright? Thanks!

 

[speckledhen]

I bet they'll be fine at this stage of the game. A broody hen gets off the nest once of twice a day for what seems like long periods, up to 40 minutes, so I bet your eggs are just fine.

 

[mmwb]

They are well developed, and like all warm blooded critters, probably create a lot of their own heat at this stage.

 

[Junkmanme]

I'd be a little more afraid of your "changing the temp setting" than I would be the lower temperature.

You MAYBE "set yourself up" for a "temperature SPIKE!

I've read HERE that temperatures a little bit lower don't hurt much...(may delay the hatch) BUT, HIGHER temperatures seem to KILL the embryos.

No personal experience here. Just what I've read.

IF I were you.....I'd probably watch the temp closer now that you've "fooled with" the adjustment on the thermostat.

I REALLY don't know from experience........but, my PLAN is to set the incubator.......and leave it alone if it is 99 F to 101 F (with fan and turner).

just my guess.........

-Junkmanme-

 

[Garden Gal]

I think you are wise to keep a good check on the thermostate for a while, but I also think you are fine!

 

[Smokin Silkies]

I had a temp spike, but I don't think it was too bad. It went up to 100.8 but I know it couldn't have been more than 2 hours MAX. I don't think its enought to kill them though....

My last hatch was horrible, and the one and only little one that did make it, died at almost 24 hrs.

So I am hoping to get some out of this hatch. My daughter has been doing most of the work herself. I'm just 'checking on her' once in awhile. I guess I will see tmr. That'll be day 21 for her. Thanks all!

 

[speckledhen]

That wasn't a bad spike at all. Mine often goes that high during incubation. (I have forced air bators)

 

[Smokin Silkies]

I feel better now. I had a still air, but put in a pc fan with this hatch, hoping it would work better. This is my second hatch ever so....

We are hoping for some fuzzy butts this time!

 

[FluffyColor]

Mine got down to 75 when I opened the incubator.I was worried but guess what?14\\18!A 15th would had it not gave up on hatching.The other 3 were infertile.It didn't even delay it that much.Thy hatched on days 20-23.So,CHILL-AX and wait for your babies!!!!
________________________________________________________
A mom that is the best,a brother that can get annoying(and helpful,)a crazy dad that won't let me keep chickens for a while.a black lab/doby mix(very cute,)memories of Pip and his little sisters:Color,Goldie,Brownie,Blackie,Tanner,and Music,and dreams of my future hen MidnightCouldn't live without them!!!!