Temperature fluxuations in homemade incubator

[Taxibuy]

Hi all, I am new to the forum and, besides the chickens we had every summer for the freezer, new to having chickens for eggs. I have had my flock for almost 3 weeks! LOL I have 4 Buff Orpington hens, 2 Buff Roosters and 5 Black hens that are Black Java or Jersey Giants (she was not sure). They are about a year old. All of my eggs that I have opened so far have been fertilized so I decided to hatch some. Nothing like jumping in with both feet!

So I got a large styrofoam chest, light, thermostat, thermometer and put it all together. I drilled the holes in the thermostat as suggested. I have the light and thermostat mounted and I have fluxuations from 96 to 100 degrees. Is this OK? I know this has probably been talked to death in the forum, but I can't see where it says that it would be ok, or that it would be bad to have this much flux. I did read that still air should be higher (around 101) than the forced air?

Thanks for the help, I would really like to get these eggs set in the next few days so they can hatch while I am on vacation!

 

[lazy gardener]

If you can get the deviation a bit narrower, that would be better. You might play around with placing the thermostat closer to the light, or changing your wattage. An other option would be to change out the water thermostat for a bimetal thermostat. I have good results with mine, purched from incubator warehouse for about $17. It kicks on and off with about 1 degree variance. I still have to mess around with air flow, putting tin foil baffles to direct air to compensate for warm/cold spots. You also would want to test all positions in the incubator to be sure you don't have hot/cold spots.

 

[Taxibuy]

I found a fan to put in, so I am going to see if that helps. If I change the wattage of the bulb, should I go up or down?

 

[stormrider1]

Are you using a hot water heater thermostat? That is what I have, with the holes drilled in it and with the light bulb about an inch and a half away from the thermostat, with a fan blowing on it, I have variations of about 1 to 2 degrees. I have some rocks in there also to help keep the temp stable. Here's a picture.

 

[Taxibuy]

I have the water heater thermostat, with the holes, however it is farther away then that. And I have the fan just as you do. I will try the closer thermostat and place some rock or the jars with water in them.

 

[Taxibuy]

I put the thermostat under the bulb and the fluxuations are within 1 degree. I also put small jars with water in them.

In an incubator that has a fan, is a temp of 100 to 101 ok? What should I keep it at? I set my eggs last night so I am hoping it goes ok. LOL I keep checking on it every 10 minutes! LOL

 

[Fred's Hens]

You want to keep it a bit under 100. That's plenty hot enough.

 

[Taxibuy]

I adjusted it down just a touch. Can't wait to see if they hatch! Thanks for the help

 

[lazy gardener]

Sounds like you are on the right track. Happy hatching.

 

[Taxibuy]

I just had to candle one egg today and I see veining! So I must have started out right! Thanks for the help everyone!