Turning eggs

[Goldenlaceannie]

Hello,

I was wondering. I have a Little Giant Still Air Incubator and am hatching some eggs out of it. I keep the temperature at exactly 99.5 degrees Farenheit and between 50 and 60 percent humidity. I am worried because whenever I open the incubator top to turn the eggs, the temperature and humidity decrease drastically and I am scared that the embryos will be harmed. If anybody has any advice on this situation, please inform me.

Goldenlaceannie

 

[Puddin Fluff]

Just consider that although moma hen spends most of her time on the eggs, she does get up occasionally to eat, drink, poo and stretch her leggs. I have only done one hatch so I am not an expert but it seems to me like a little flux will not be too bad.

 

[outdoorpodcast]

It takes about 30 minutes for the eggs to cool down, so short temp changes shouldn't be a concern.

 

[Becci]

Welcome to BYC

Humidity isn't as important when it comes to fluctuations, and your temperatures are going to drop quite a bit whilst turning or candling. The importance is how long it takes for them to get back up and steady. I have the same incubator, my thermometer goes down to 90-85* when I'm turning, but it only takes a few minutes to get back up and steady. And as stated above, the internal temperature of the egg will take a while to begin cooling down, so short temperature drops are not going to cause any harm.

One thing I'd like to say is that with a still air incubator, your heat will be gradient. So you want the top of the eggs to read around 100-101 F rather than 99*.