to high temperature in incubator

[beajaeger]

I just wonder why most of thermometers are incorrect? How to archive a constant temperature and humidity?
While my fever thermometer is measuring now 99.8 degrees, the walmart thermometer and hygrometer measures 97 and 55% humidity, the Taylor is measuring 101 degree and 63%. What to do???

 

[deerman]

Quote:
Bad idea to me, Ok to use before throwing eggs out.

No need to check at this stage, if at day 21 they dont hatch. then check them.

Biggest Mistakes newbe make. is all the checking and adjusting during incubation. 2 checks at day 7& 14 for chicken eggs

 

[JanieMarie]

Almost started a new thread on this topic. Glad Istarted reading first. I have a still air LG with accurite therm/hyg in the bator reading a different temp than the thermometer in there. Yesterday I got an indoor/outdoor therm - also an accurite from Walmart. The unit is outside the bator so I can keep an eye on room temp too and it has a sensor that I have placed at top of egg height in the bator. This one reads 100.8 and the one in the bator reads 102. Which side do you err on and what level does the other therm read at?

 

[twigg]

Quote:
Most thermometers are inaccurate because we buy cheap thermometers.

If cheap thermometers were accurate there would be no need for expensive ones

However, we only need our thermometers to be accurate at a very specific point ... so we can calibrate them. If we know the deviation at 99.5F, then we could care less about it's accuracy at 80F or 110F

 

[LilRalphieRoosmama]

Well, I'm having the same problem and I think Twigg is correct because I'm using cheap thermometers.

I think anywhere between 100 and 102 is good, really, so it's probably realistically somewhere in between and you should be fine. That's why it takes a few hatches to figure out the right hatching temp on your own thermometer. Just because mine shows 102 or 103 doesn't mean that's what it really is. I base it mostly off of how many eggs pip and hatch. If it's a low hatch rate, then I know my temps were off. If it's a good hatch rate, then I make sure to note which thermometer I used and what temp it displayed.

Alot of members here use those water wigglers with a wet bulb thermometer placed inside to get a much more accurate temp reading (the water wiggler simulates the inside temp of the egg.) Keeping notes is really important if you intend to hatch frequently or buy expensive eggs. Several hatches with your own or inexpensive eggs first gives you a basis to work with.

 

[beajaeger]

NO hatching at all - guess high temperature killed all my chick babies and I am crying. In order to do it better next time - where to get a RELIABLE thermometer/hygrometer? Deerman, I am a newbe and I am greatful for every good suggestion.

:cd

 

[deerman]

I use a Acurite Humidity Monitor. It give present temp.,and humidity. Plus daily high & low. You can get them at Walmart for under 10.00.

I also check the high temp. with a Oral Thermometer. One you check your Temp. Only give the hottest temp.,but great for double checking other thermometer.

Better to cool than to hot,at least some will hatch.

With still air alway, check at top of eggs. 101 best get to 104 danger zone.

Even with wrong humidity, and low temp. Should have a hatch.

 

[twigg]

Quote:
Use a ball of modeling clay and a medical thermometer to calibrate your others.

The medical thermometers are accurate to about 1/10th F at body temp. This is perfect for us, and good ones cost about $8 at Walmart.

If you poke your other thermometers into the clay, let the temp stabilise at incubator temps, then compare your thermometer with the medical thermometer in the sam ball of clay then you know the difference. Mark it on the thermometer.

Incidentally, the Indoor/Outdoor thermometers can be calibrated the same way. Bury the sensor in the clay and you have a very accurate thermometer for $5 or so.

Humidity is tougher, but the Springfield ($7 Walmart) is good enough for us.

I have an expensive Amprobe psychometer, but I only use it to check that the Springfield is working ok.

hth

 

[beajaeger]

thanks a lot for all of your good tips. I really appreciate your help. It's so funny - I incubated 2 years ago two fertile chicken eggs and both hatched. And all of that in a self built incubator, a simple cooler. Those chicks were my pets named Orangy and Bakoo. They jumped on my lap in the morning when I stepped out to feed them and - after 21 weeks, they layed large brown eggs every day. Unfortunately I was living in an area, I was not allowed to have life stock (which I didn't know) Animal control forced me to give my babies to a farm. Now I am living in the country and want my chicks. This time I will make it with your help. Thanks a lot.

 

[SusanJoM]

Quote:
LOL.
I put the eggs in.
Syringe hot water in every night (without opening the top).
Take out the turner at Day 18 and add more water.
And that's IT.....

Either they hatch or they....don't....

Susan