Why won't my temperature in my incubator stay steady?

[ManuelsChickens]

Why won't my temperature in my incubator stay steady? This is my first time hatching chicks, and it keeps annoying me how my temperature will be at 100 degrees then go up to 104 degrees!

Why is this happening?!? I have some holes but there covered with duck tape! Please help!

 

[GAQuail]

It would help to know what brand of incubator you have. Is it still air or does it have a fan?

 

[quintinp]

It would help to know what brand of incubator you have. Is it still air or does it have a fan?

Agreed!

I am willing to bet that either you have a Little Giant incubator, from TSC, or local feed store, OR you have a homemade incubator that needs to be tweaked a bit.

 

[ManuelsChickens]

It's a homemade incubator it is still air.
What do you mean by tweaked a bit?

 

[dfschneider]

Hi. First get yourself a second and even a third thermometer. Make sure they are calibrated. Meaning, they have the same reading. I use a lot of thermometers to make sure the temps are accurate. 104 means dead birds, so a few bucks in thermometers is worth it. Your incubator temperature will change if the room temp is not steady. Take the duct tape off the the holes. I keep my incubators in my bedroom with the air conditioner on at all times at the same temp. This works. Good luck

 

[GAQuail]

3 questions.

1. What type of thermostat is in your homemade incubator?

2. Is the incubator located in a room where the room temperature remains steady.

3. What type thermometer are you using? Digital, glass etc?

 

[ManuelsChickens]

But I cannot have the air conditioner with the same temperature as my incubator cause if i do it'll heat the whole house at the temperature the incubator has!

So i take off the duck tape? Won't that make it worser?

 

[dfschneider]

If the room temp goes up so will the incubator temperature. Thats why its imperative that the room temp is stable. Once thats accomplished and you have 2to thermometers that read 100 steady, you shouldnt have to make any adjustments or very little ones. Sun coming through a window on your incubator makes a difference too. The eggs need air and moisture to survive, that's why I suggest you remove the duct tape

 

[quintinp]

Could we see pictures of your incubator. It may not be the incubator's surroundings, it may be the incubator.

If you could give me about 3 good pictures of the inside I would appreciate it, and would help you with any errors that may need to be fixed.

My first suggestion is to get a fan.

If you are heating with a light bulb, you need a fan. Otherwise, you are taking a risk with certain parts of the incubator getting really hot.

Could you also tell me what type of thermostat you are using?

I would really enjoy helping you with whatever problems you are having.