As everyone knows (or can find out in 2.3 seconds with a google search) the temp of your incubator should typically range between 98-102 degrees depending on the breed of bird you're hatching and type of bator you're using. However, a myriad of events can cause severe temperature spikes or drops- power outages, humidity flux, drafts, children, and temporary bouts of stupidity.
I myself am responsible for the last of those on my first hatch, when I placed my temporary brooder box (and its under-box heating pad) against the side of my incubator for half a day. The temp spiked up to around 106-107 and stayed there for at least half a day while I was away at work. This should, by all rights, have cooked everything inside, but only half the hatch died. ONLY the dark colored chicks died. Earlier today, another member posted about a temperature spike in her incubator due to child error on a hatch that was close to hatching (just like mine). She questioned if anyone's ever had chicks survive a temp spike, and since my curiosity is piqued, I'd like to ask.
Has anyone else ever had chicks survive a temp spike and if so, did you happen to notice any indication of why? Do you happen to remember the color of the chicks, if you cracked the eggs later? Obviously no one wants to have a temp spike in their incubator, but I'm curious about the effects near hatching and possible patterns others may have seen. Learning from mistakes is important, after all!
~Ked
I myself am responsible for the last of those on my first hatch, when I placed my temporary brooder box (and its under-box heating pad) against the side of my incubator for half a day. The temp spiked up to around 106-107 and stayed there for at least half a day while I was away at work. This should, by all rights, have cooked everything inside, but only half the hatch died. ONLY the dark colored chicks died. Earlier today, another member posted about a temperature spike in her incubator due to child error on a hatch that was close to hatching (just like mine). She questioned if anyone's ever had chicks survive a temp spike, and since my curiosity is piqued, I'd like to ask.
Has anyone else ever had chicks survive a temp spike and if so, did you happen to notice any indication of why? Do you happen to remember the color of the chicks, if you cracked the eggs later? Obviously no one wants to have a temp spike in their incubator, but I'm curious about the effects near hatching and possible patterns others may have seen. Learning from mistakes is important, after all!
~Ked
