Why would my temp drop?

[4F FARM]

Yesterday was day 18. Before I left for work I put in the sponge to increase my humidity. I made sure it was warm water, not cold. When I got home it said my low for the day was 98.6. If the sponge was warm why would it cause the temp to drop? Any ideas?

If any chicks hatch from this batch they will be named Miracle.

 

[silkiechicken]

That temp drop is no problem. Chances are the water you added was not exactally 99.5 deg F so thus, even if it was 96, would lower your over all bator temp just a bit. Don't worry about it, they will be fine. If that was the low, low, shoot, it could have happened when you opened the bator. No need to stress! Good luck on the hatch!

 

[4F FARM]

Thanks Silkie,

This is the first time I've hatched in 20 years and it is NOT like riding a bike. You don't remember when you get back on. But I think the people here have me addicted. I can't wait to see what happens with this batch so I can start on the next. I'll keep everyone posted. I expect if they hatch it will be late due to the power outage we had. Tomarrow is day 21, but I won't count it over until Sunday wich is day 24.

Do you think I should wait longer than 24 days?

 

[silkiechicken]

Did you candle them on day 18 to see how development is going? The latest I have had a chick hatch was on day 25, however, it never really thrived.

I don't recall the poweroutage thread if there was one, but they can go 24 hours at room T and be fine. Just delays the hatch like you said, and depending on when they were out at low T, and how low it got, can affect the hatch rate.