Question about temp

[SoggyBottomFarm]

I have a acurite digital and a regular old fashion thermometer as I can't afford to buy a better option right now. The digital reads 102 and regular reads 98. Average of two is 100. Will this be accurate enough for a hatch. It has been holding with 50% humidity. I'd like to add eggs soon. Thank you for you help.

 

[Texas4T]

Have you tried calibrating them in ice water to see what their actual temperature is? Put crushed ice in a cup, add just enough water to reach top of crushed ice, wait a minute for it to get as cold as the ice, then slip the thermometer in there and see what it reads. The ice water should be 32 degrees F. You will be able to tell how far off your thermometers are at that point and that will help you.

If one reads 34, then it is off by 2 degrees. You will know that when it says 100, it is really only 98, and so on. I hope this will help you out!

 

[SoggyBottomFarm]

Great. Thanks. I will do that but what about the digital thermometers. How do I know their accuracy?

 

[Texas4T]

I don't use digital thermometers, so can't help you there, sorry. I have tried to read on BYC, but some say they can't be calibrated. I would read the instructions that came with it, if you have them, or post specifically about the brand of thermometer you have, see if anyone else knows.
Sorry I'm not more help. I use the Brinsea thermometers, and the cheep aquarium glass thermometers from WalMart.
I hatch in the LG foam incubators and the Brinsea 20 Eco incubators with good success.
Happy Hatching!
Let us know how it goes...

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/995233/july-2015-hatch-a-long-hal/30