tep 100-101

[melpatel]

the temperature keeps going from 100 to 101 should I try to get it down I can't seen to get it. It was only going to 96 so I have got it to go up.

Melissa

 

[katrinag]

What kind of bator?

 

[melpatel]

old marsh TURN-X4 I have not put the eggs in yet

 

[twigg]

Quote:
We need more info Melissa.

Is it a still or forced air incubator. If it's still air, then are you measuring the temp at the top of the eggs or elsewhere.

If it's forced air, the temp should be 99.5F

A 1F variation is ok, provided it is varying around the correct temp.

 

[melpatel]

it is a little forced air incubator dome just like TX-6 Incubator of today

Melissa

 

[jimnjay]

Temperature fluctuates in most incubators. I would probably try to get it down a bit so it cycled on the high side at 100 rather than 101. Eggs will do fine in any incubator at 100, Some thermometers don't even have the fraction. Even the instructions in Hova Bators units say 100 at the top of the egg and the instructions for the TX-6 say the same. I think that is why people use the water weasel, it allows you to determine the temp of the inside of the egg. At that point 99.5 is optimum. Just remember to keep it as close to 100 as possible and try to err on the side of cooler. Eggs will hatch a bit later with the incubator running a bit cooler but the chicks will have had a chance to absorb the yolk sac. They will hatch early with higher temps but often times there are problems.

I try not to obsess over .5 degrees. The digital thermometers are wonderful instruments but I think it make some people crazy with the rapid fluctuation displayed. Remember the eggs take a very long time to actually respond to a temperature change. That is why mommy chickens can get off the nest every day and take a short break and go back and not have any problem hatching chicks.

 

[melpatel]

ok thinks I got it at 100 for 5 hrs and humidity at 45% I'm happy with that and will be putting the eggs in soon

 

[twigg]

Quote:
That is why we use a water wiggler.

You don't have to *obsess* over a temperature, you just have to set it right. And right is 99.5F

So, when you say *keep it as close to 100F as possible, what you mean is *keep it as close to 99.5F as possible*

The instructions for 100 to 101 at the top of the egg apply ONLY to a still air incubator. Chicks hatching late can have problems just as severe as those hatching early. They are meant to hatch on Day 21.

We get away with all sorts of poor techniques, because eggs are hardy critters, and they want to hatch. But we help them most when we get it right. If we aim to get it absolutely right, then one parameter off a bit will probably be ok. But if we aim to be just *close*, and are off a bit in several parameters, then we get reduced hatches.