Newbie & I think I messed up

[chickenfarmergal]

So I have a Magicfly 12 egg little oval incubator. I bought a thermometer and hydro thing to add to it. The problem is I can't get it to stay at one temp. It ranges from 97.8-99.4F. It got chilly in my house so I wrapped at towel around the bottom to help. The eggs are only on the 2nd day so are they ruined already since I haven't been keeping it 99 or higher?

 

[AgnesGray]

Don't give up just yet! Give them a few days and then candle them and see how things are going. The towel for insulation is a good idea probably for the duration of the incubation if it's not holding the temperature steady. Just make sure there is still airflow access to any vents for oxygen.

 

[chickenfarmergal]

Don't give up just yet! Give them a few days and then candle them and see how things are going. The towel for insulation is a good idea probably for the duration of the incubation if it's not holding the temperature steady. Just make sure there is still airflow access to any vents for oxygen.

I did make sure that wasn't blocked. I have the unit set at the temp. they stated 38c should I increase that a degree or 2 to see if that helps? Also I notice the humidity is at 70% I'm in SC and we have had rain for the last 2 days. Should I use a paper towel and remove some of the water?

 

[Egghead_Jr]

What unit are you using to measure temperature? Looking at an image of this incubator it looks as though it has a small vent hole on top. Put an oral thermometer down that hole to get a true reading. The temp swing is heater turning on then off. Try to get the swing range with the oral thermometer. That's the temp you can trust. Once you know how far off the unit is reading it will be constantly that far off. Simple addition or subtraction from reading for true temp.

The incubating temperature is the average of those temp swings. Your unit is telling you 97.8-99.4. That's an incubating temp of 98.6F which is a degree low. Calibrate temp, ensure what it actually is with the oral thermometer and adjust unit until average is 99.5 F because the unit has a fan that's the temp throughout incubator.

 

[chickenfarmergal]

What unit are you using to measure temperature? Looking at an image of this incubator it looks as though it has a small vent hole on top. Put an oral thermometer down that hole to get a true reading. The temp swing is heater turning on then off. Try to get the swing range with the oral thermometer. That's the temp you can trust. Once you know how far off the unit is reading it will be constantly that far off. Simple addition or subtraction from reading for true temp.

The incubating temperature is the average of those temp swings. Your unit is telling you 97.8-99.4. That's an incubating temp of 98.6F which is a degree low. Calibrate temp, ensure what it actually is with the oral thermometer and adjust unit until average is 99.5 F because the unit has a fan that's the temp throughout incubator.

I purchased this one from Amazon. And it says humidity is currently 72% and temp is 99.5. I had to adjust the temp up on the unit to get it to that level about 10 mins ago.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QC7JRDP/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Egghead_Jr]

What are you using to measure humidity? Yeah, I know. I'm saying don't trust a damn thing until it's calibrated and that is exactly how you need to think too. Ensure the units temp reading is accurate with an oral thermometer and ensure the RH gauge is correct via a salt test comparison.

You stated you have a combo temp/humidity unit inside the incubator. Take it out and calibrate it with a salt test. Simple and accurate.

All you need is-

Zip Lock type sandwich bag.
Milk, juice or any small container to hold salt.
Unit used to measure humidity.

How to calibrate-

Put salt in cap and add drops of water until saturated, not damp and not standing water. Basically you'll add a drop or two too much making for standing water, just add a pinch more salt to suck that up and you're good to go.

Put that cap of salt and your hygrometer unit in bag and seal it up. I allow for small pillow of air. Wait a minimum of 6 hours or until the hygrometer reading has been steady for last few hours. You can just let it sit on counter and take the reading in morning. Edit- it is morning now, take reading tonight.

A salt environment like you've just created will be exactly 75% RH for normal temps in your home. Whatever the difference in RH from the unit in bag and 75 is how much you add or subtract from it's reading for true RH in incubator. i.e. reads 58 then you'd always add 17 to reading for it to be correct.

 

[chickenfarmergal]

Ok I got a 2 pack of them so I'll do that now with the other unit and then I'll put it in the incubator. I wasn't seeing any condensation so I didn't think it was truly 70% humidity because I kind of felt like in such a small thing at that level there would be

 

[Egghead_Jr]

You'll get this thing dialed in in no time. All is well. Your initial temp was only a degree low, or so we think until calibrated, and humidity means little first few days. You'll have both temp and humidity calibrated by end of day and be on your way to successful hatch.

 

[Josh L.]

I have had to cover my incu in a towel for the whole time, and then half cover during the hatch. It works like a charm when you've got snow and cold weather. Would definitely recommend towels and insulation for winter hatches.

 

[Josh L.]

But yes, i agree with egghead Jr in that the slight difference in temperature shouldn't hurt them. It can if they're further along and if it fluctuates constantly, but a lot of the time that just makes for delayed hatches.