The most exciting thermometer/incubation question ever!

[Shellebelle920]

Okay tricked you... it’s actually quite a boring question!!! But I need some help! I am taking a test run with my new incubator and thermometers. My eggs are coming on Wednesday, and I haven’t been this excited since pretty much when my own children were born. 3 questions (I hope these pictures have attached) that I could use some help with.
1.) the thermometer probe didn’t fit through the hole at the top, so I have it laced up through the side preventing the lid to completely close (very slight) Is this okay?
2.) there is a temperature discrepancy between the thermometers.Which reading should I go with? I’m willing to buy another thermometer if necessary... any good recommendations?
3.) what is the deal with vent holes? Does the vent hole need to be open at all times? Is the vent hole the hole in the top? I realize there needs to be an exchange of gasses, but I read about keeping it closed for 8 days and then opening it. Thank you for any help!!!

Oh, I am using an incu-view incubator from incubator warehouse, if it matters.

 

[eggspecto_patronum]

 

[sylviethecochin]

1.) the thermometer probe didn’t fit through the hole at the top, so I have it laced up through the side preventing the lid to completely close (very slight) Is this okay?
Yes. You want air exchange anyway; so long as you're maintaining temp and humidity, it should be fine. The probe's end is where it's supposed to be, right?

2.) there is a temperature discrepancy between the thermometers.Which reading should I go with? I’m willing to buy another thermometer if necessary... any good recommendations?
No recommendations. Can you calibrate either thermometer and then use it? (To calibrate, dip end in water that is at a rolling boil. Should be 212 F. Dip in ice water that's been sitting in your freezer and has ice forming along the top and sides. Should be 32 F.) Adjust the thermometer until it reaches the proper reading.

3.) what is the deal with vent holes? Does the vent hole need to be open at all times? Is the vent hole the hole in the top? I realize there needs to be an exchange of gasses, but I read about keeping it closed for 8 days and then opening it. Thank you for any help!!!
Vent holes should be open at all times. The eggs need to absorb and use oxygen and release carbon dioxide, same as any living creature. I have no idea where your vent hole is. I've never heard of keeping it closed for eight days.

 

[Shellebelle920]

1.) the thermometer probe didn’t fit through the hole at the top, so I have it laced up through the side preventing the lid to completely close (very slight) Is this okay?
Yes. You want air exchange anyway; so long as you're maintaining temp and humidity, it should be fine. The probe's end is where it's supposed to be, right?

2.) there is a temperature discrepancy between the thermometers.Which reading should I go with? I’m willing to buy another thermometer if necessary... any good recommendations?
No recommendations. Can you calibrate either thermometer and then use it? (To calibrate, dip end in water that is at a rolling boil. Should be 212 F. Dip in ice water that's been sitting in your freezer and has ice forming along the top and sides. Should be 32 F.) Adjust the thermometer until it reaches the proper reading.

3.) what is the deal with vent holes? Does the vent hole need to be open at all times? Is the vent hole the hole in the top? I realize there needs to be an exchange of gasses, but I read about keeping it closed for 8 days and then opening it. Thank you for any help!!!
Vent holes should be open at all times. The eggs need to absorb and use oxygen and release carbon dioxide, same as any living creature. I have no idea where your vent hole is. I've never heard of keeping it closed for eight days.

Thanks for taking the time to respond. I am doing the thermometer ice calibration as I type. I’ll be keeping vent holes open and keeping the extra thermometer If it calibrates okay.

 

[aart]

I think you will be hard put to keep humidity up with the lid cracked like that.

I use a human medical thermometer to test my bator therms.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...incubator-thermometers-and-hygrometers.73634/

My Incuview was right on for both temp and humidity...tho there are a couple settings to adjust temp.

Here's an incuview mod you might be interested in:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/incuview-incubator-modified.74766/

And some that I did:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/incuview-divider-pattern-and-other-hacks-by-aart.73966/

 

[Shellebelle920]

I think you will be hard put to keep humidity up with the lid cracked like that.

I use a human medical thermometer to test my bator therms.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...incubator-thermometers-and-hygrometers.73634/

My Incuview was right on for both temp and humidity...tho there are a couple settings to adjust temp.

Here's an incuview mod you might be interested in:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/incuview-incubator-modified.74766/

And some that I did:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/incuview-divider-pattern-and-other-hacks-by-aart.73966/

Thank you! I was actually just reading the thermometer calibration thread before you sent this. I messed up my thermometer yesterday. My incuview temp was reading 99.4, but my incurherm hatch monitor from incubator warehouse was reading 100.8... so I thought I could put the sensors in ice water, and I pretty much broke it. I guess it can’t be submerged. Long story, but I now have two different thermometers/hygrometers being rush shipped to me. Maybe I should try the medical thermometer too? What temp am I testing with the medical thermometer. I need to reread the calibration post! Thanks again!

 

[aart]

I guess it can’t be submerged.

Oops!
I find food thermometers to be pretty good, especially if you buy a good one.

 

[MROO]

1.) the thermometer probe didn’t fit through the hole at the top, so I have it laced up through the side preventing the lid to completely close (very slight) Is this okay?
Yes. You want air exchange anyway; so long as you're maintaining temp and humidity, it should be fine. The probe's end is where it's supposed to be, right?

2.) there is a temperature discrepancy between the thermometers.Which reading should I go with? I’m willing to buy another thermometer if necessary... any good recommendations?
No recommendations. Can you calibrate either thermometer and then use it? (To calibrate, dip end in water that is at a rolling boil. Should be 212 F. Dip in ice water that's been sitting in your freezer and has ice forming along the top and sides. Should be 32 F.) Adjust the thermometer until it reaches the proper reading.

3.) what is the deal with vent holes? Does the vent hole need to be open at all times? Is the vent hole the hole in the top? I realize there needs to be an exchange of gasses, but I read about keeping it closed for 8 days and then opening it. Thank you for any help!!!
Vent holes should be open at all times. The eggs need to absorb and use oxygen and release carbon dioxide, same as any living creature. I have no idea where your vent hole is. I've never heard of keeping it closed for eight days.

The only thing I'd add to this may seem like a "duh" comment, but you never know ... On #2, let your "boiling temp" thermometer cool ALL THE WAY to room temperature before dipping it into the ice water. Exploding thermometers are messy ... and yes, I learned this fact the hard way. I'm one of the reasons why companies post some of those really stupid warning labels (but no, I have NEVER used a hair dryer in the bathtub. I PROMISE!)

 

[Shellebelle920]

The only thing I'd add to this may seem like a "duh" comment, but you never know ... On #2, let your "boiling temp" thermometer cool ALL THE WAY to room temperature before dipping it into the ice water. Exploding thermometers are messy ... and yes, I learned this fact the hard way. I'm one of the reasons why companies post some of those really stupid warning labels (but no, I have NEVER used a hair dryer in the bathtub. I PROMISE!)

... thanks for the warning... I wouldn’t put it past myself to do something like that! Lol!

 

[aart]

The only thing I'd add to this may seem like a "duh" comment, but you never know ... On #2, let your "boiling temp" thermometer cool ALL THE WAY to room temperature before dipping it into the ice water.

Another Duh, maybe...
Most incubator thermometers don't range from freezing to boiling
(which can vary with geographical elevation-look it up),
why I prefer using human medical therms for testing, right range and tight tolerance.
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