Temp control; I need some help...quickly

[snewman]

Ok, I thought I had my new Little Giant all figured out, I ran it for a few days without eggs, and just put my real eggs in this morning. I have the little cheapo thermometer that came with it laying right on top of the eggs, as advised, and I also bought a digital thermometer/hygrometer that is also sitting on top of the eggs but, since it's bigger overall, it sits higher. The cheapo thermometer is reading 90-95 right on top of the eggs, and the digital thermometer is reading 103. So, do I trust the better thermometer and turn it down, or assume that the cheapo, since it is RIGHT on top of the eggs, is more accurately reading the temp at the egg level, and turn it up? I don't want to fry these poor things, but obviously too cold is no good either. Also, did I mention this is my first time attempting hatching? That might be obvious from my questions, but I'd appreciate any help.

 

[Scraps]

I would probably trust the digital over the el cheapo....

 

[Roo]

Forced air or still air?

 

[Kung Foo Chicken]

Trust neither. Callibrate those things.

 

[LadyShred]

Quote:
I have always used still-air hova bators and those things spit out baby chicks like there's no tomorrow. They just require a close eye and moderate maintence. Not for busy people ^_^

And I would trust the digital thermometer. Cheap-o thermos don't cut it at all. They can wear out in days and sometimes don't hold a correct temp from the moment you buy them. 2 Thermos in the bator is a good idea - if I were you I'd spend a litle more money and buy a good one (not digital) and see what it says. I keep a digital and a basic one on both ends of my bator. Sometimes there will be a variance between the two if your bator is still air. Forced air regulates the temp throughout so there won't be a difference at all.

 

[snewman]

Ok, I feel better now. It is a still air, and I think what was causing the discrepancy was how I am turning the eggs. I borrowed someone's idea on here of putting the eggs in a tray and then placing a block under one side of the incubator, switching the side the block is on for each turning. The thermometer on the high side is the one that reads higher, regardless of whether it's the digital or the cheapo, which makes sense, since heat rises. So now my low side reads 99 (digital) and the high side reads 101. Do you think this will be ok? I hate to adjust the temp when I'm this close, especially since I'm about to leave for work and won't be able to check on it until tonight when I get home.