Temp issues, not sure what's going on!

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Too funny cva! I did a good amount of research for an incubator that wasn't going to cost me a bunch of money and I am proud of what I have done, just not fully happy on the out come. Guess what I'm really saying is that no matter how much research you do, you are going to change it up or find another way to improve it. Anyways, here's my cheap incubator.


 
Err on the cool side for a couple of days until you see how your incubator heats when full. Keep it around 97/98 so if it spikes a bit overnight it wont kill your chicks
 
I will try to do that. Just harder than I originally thought it was going to be. Not sure how it dropped to 97, seeing how I haven't touched it since the heat up yesterday.
 
Wish I had a control switch Barbedwirecat. Not really sure how all that works. My husband was not down when I started this then, last night he's like, (we should have tried a thermostat). The next time, I'm sure he would be happy to help out next time.
 
Here is how you build one:


Cheap and Easy peasy---go to Lowes for all of the parts. Make sure you put it AS CLOSE to the light bulb as you can for steadier temperatures. I cut apart an extension cord for my extra length since I didn't have extra wire laying around. I actually like this one better than my wafer one in the Hovabator I have. Next best thing would be a digital rheostat (for reptiles) but they are pretty dang expensive.

Drilling those holes is the most important part for temp regulation in the actual thermostat. If you did it quick enough (or made a second set up)---you may even be able to switch out what you have fairly easily, BUT if your temps are maintaining good now I might not chance it since you have eggs.
 
Cool. Thanks for that Barbedwirecat. How long can the temp be at 97 till the temp in the eggs drops and how long can till it causes problems with the eggs?
 
I typically see a slight drop after it has been about 30 minutes. It's very gradual. If you open the lid its not as gradual and can drop quicker. I limit my candling and such to about 5 minutes each time every few days. I don't candle unless it is stable.

I think if you are in the first stages of incubation you should be OK. I try not to let my internal egg temp get below 97 for more than an hour. But it's something I can only correct when I see it---and I know it has happened when I am at work and have still had pretty good hatches.

Always wish for the best, as we are not hens and cannot sit on our eggs lol! With anything artificial ANYTHING can go wrong and you may or may not know about it. But I think if you have a good outlook no matter what, you should find a reward, be it knowledge of how to try differently the next time, or a incubator full of healthy chicks. When life hands you lemons, don't just make lemonade. Make Lemon Curry chicken with roast pepper sauce and lemon zest jelly :D
 
Okay.....I will not incubate this way anymore. My Temp keeps going up. Keep catching it at 102. I have drilled 5 holes by the fan and the heat keeps going and going. So I have been turning off the light for a few mins.
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