Official BYC Poll: Have you ever experienced a power outage during incubation?

Have you ever had a power outage during incubation? What did you do?

  • Yes, I wrapped the incubator in blankets to retain heat.

    Votes: 5 26.3%
  • Yes, I used a backup power source (generator, battery, etc.).

    Votes: 9 47.4%
  • Yes, I moved the eggs to another heat source.

    Votes: 2 10.5%
  • Yes, I panicked and hoped for the best.

    Votes: 2 10.5%
  • Yes, but it was short and didn’t seem to affect the hatch.

    Votes: 5 26.3%
  • Yes, and sadly, I lost the hatch.

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • No, but I’m prepared with a backup plan.

    Votes: 1 5.3%
  • No, and I’ve never thought about it until now.

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • I don’t incubate eggs, but I’m curious to learn.

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • I’ve had multiple outages and tried different solutions each time.

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Other (please share in the comments)

    Votes: 3 15.8%

  • Total voters
    19
The Brinsea I just purchased actually has a programmable option for a "cool down" period. It's not a default setting, but you could add it in if you wanted.
@ronott1 is one who swears by cooldown periods for better hatch rates. On my own eggs, I can’t improve the hatch rate.

However, when I move eggs to the lockdown incubator, I candle the ones in the other two. This whole process takes a good 15 minutes. Each egg goes through three or four such cool downs.
 
The Brinsea I just purchased actually has a programmable option for a "cool down" period. It's not a default setting, but you could add it in if you wanted.
@ronott1 is one who swears by cooldown periods for better hatch rates. On my own eggs, I can’t improve the hatch rate.

However, when I move eggs to the lockdown incubator, I candle the ones in the other two. This whole process takes a good 15 minutes. Each egg goes through three or four such cool downs.
Power outage and and cooling injury depends on where the eggs are in the hatch cycle. During the fist week, the eggs will go back to hibernation mode. There can be a delay in the hatch depending on how long they eggs are cool. The middle of the cycle is more critical.

The cool down cycle helps the most with water fowl. It has been studied with peer reviewed studies to increase hatch rates for all birds though.

Most of the eggs that I have hatched have been shipped. The cool down cycle helps hatch rate but also helps with the health of the chicks.
 
Power outage and and cooling injury depends on where the eggs are in the hatch cycle. During the fist week, the eggs will go back to hibernation mode. There can be a delay in the hatch depending on how long they eggs are cool. The middle of the cycle is more critical.

The cool down cycle helps the most with water fowl. It has been studied with peer reviewed studies to increase hatch rates for all birds though.

Most of the eggs that I have hatched have been shipped. The cool down cycle helps hatch rate but also helps with the health of the chicks.
Interesting!
 
Our basement flooded, 5 times due to power outages, at our previous home. Once we invested in a backup generator, the peace of mind felt so great. So, needless to say, once we had our current home built, the very first investment we made was to have a backup generator installed. The investment has already paid for itself countless folds.
 
We have a gas stove so I heated up water, put in a jar, and placed in the incubator. Then I wrapped the incubator in winter down jackets (more insulating than a blanket or towel). Experimentation told me what size bottle kept the temp up without getting too hot (better not hot enough than too hot), and how long the temp would hold before the bottle needed reheating. It wasn't the easiest way to maintain a constant temp in the incubator but it always worked for me.
 

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