On Day 15 got a new Thermometer and have been at 97.6 degrees instead of 99.5

[mrwoodboat]

I bought a new pharmaceutical certified thermometer to replace the old bulb one I have been using and discovered that I have been running the bator at 97.5 F (36.5 C) instead of 99.5 F (37.6 C) and am now on day 15.

This is a new Incubator and the first hatch so I used some Easter eggers eggs- besides being so dark I cannot see what is going on in them I am not sure what to do at this point. The thermometer is one I have used for the past few seasons but the numbers were wearing off of it so the reason for buying a new one.

Do I just wait it out and maybe some will hatch a day late? Chuck them and start again? Really need to get it sorted out before my pheasants start laying...help......

 

[lazy gardener]

Don't panic. Just boost the temp up to 99.5 if the incubator has a fan. If it doesn't have a fan, you'll have to do some research on correct temp for still air. Your hatch may be a few days late. I've heard of some hatches actually going to day 30 or 31. Not the norm, for sure, and probably the result of too low temp throughout incubation period or some interruptions along the way. Chalk it up to experience, and move on. If you have a very light and a very dark room, you may be able to see inside those eggs. I have a 9 LED flashlight with new batteries, and it does a pretty good job.

 

[chickensnbees]

I'm new to incubating so I'm not sure of the right answer. Wondering have you candled them? I would think that could help answer. If they are developing well or just look a day or so behind then I wouldn't give up on them. They may just hatch a day or two late. Lower temps are definitely better than higher.

 

[mrwoodboat]

Just an update on how the hatch has gone- today is day 22 and we have 12 out of 40 hatched so far with several more piped (beaks sticking out or visible cracks). given that we went 15 days with the temp almost 2 degree cold- I figured we would not get a great hatch or at the best, a late hatch..

This is the first hatch in my new Janoel incubator- it and my hovabator are in a walkin closet in the middle of my house so the temp stays very stable in there. What we are trying now is to incubate in the Janoel, hatch in the hovabator, then move the hatchlings into a brooder beneath the incubators.

Hoping we get it dialed in as I am setting 48 ringneck pheasant eggs next...