Thermometer/Hygrometer accuracy

[JeremyKSullivan]

This is the thermometer/hygrometer that I used for my first incubation.

http://www.acurite.com/weather/humidity/thermometer-with-wired-probe.html

I set 29 eggs. 4/29 hatched. 2/4 had unabsorbed yolk sacks and died.

My goal is to learn something from each experience and produce the best hatch rate I possibly can. The changes I've already made are as follows:

- The fan I had in my incubator was a small one that didn't circulate the air as much as I'd like. I've ordered a new fan and plan to install it before the next hatch.

- I was turning eggs by hand. Most days I was consistent, others not so much. I bought and installed an automatic egg turner in my incubator.

So, now that I'm finished rambling on, my questions are these:

- Does anyone use the AcuRite Thermometer with Wired Temperature Probe 00891W3?

- Can anyone testify to its accuracy for temperature and humidity?

- Does it need calibrating? If so, can someone tell/show me how?

- Does anyone have any other suggestions for changes I may need to make before my next hatch?

 

[HEChicken]

I haven't used that exact model but I have used Acurite therms in the past. Over time I've reached the conclusion that digital just isn't accurate enough for incubation, and I now use only analog gauges. It is a good idea to calibrate the hygrometer using the salt test prior to each incubation attempt. Thermometer is harder but what I did was to go to Walmart and look at the reading on 20 of the same type of analog therm (being analog it can be read through the package). 3/4 of them had the same reading so I concluded they were the ones that were correct. Since I switched to that therm and threw out the 5 others I had been using that all read differently, I've had much better hatches.

The changes you have made sound good. I would not think that getting lax about turning for a day or so would make much difference though.

 

[JeremyKSullivan]

One other question I just thought about is regarding oxygen supply.

I'm using an ice cooler for an incubator. I drilled two 5/16 holes in the top of the cooler, 2 in the front of the cooler, and 2 on the left side of the cooler. The cooler drain, which is about 1/2 - 3/4 inch, is open on the right side of the cooler. I left all of these open for the entire hatch. Is that a good idea? Do I need more/less venting?

 

[HEChicken]

I would not go with less. Ventilation is certainly key to a good hatch - without it, many a chick will develop to full-term in the shell but fail to hatch. I made two home-builts out of Omaha Steaks coolers and below is a pic of the ventilation holes I have. You can see 3 pencil sized holes in top and bottom. There is also a cork sized hole on this end. I thought I could use a cork to plug it if necessary but in reality I've never needed to. I have about the same number of holes in the opposite end, except the large hole is large enough to get electric plugs through. My fan sits on the floor of the cooler and the idea is that it draws in fresh air through the bottom holes, and vents it out through the top ones. It seems to work - I usually have 90-100% hatches in this from my own eggs.