Hygrometer temp vs. Incubator temp

[HereChickChickChick88]

So, first attempt at hatching eggs under a broody hen resulted in 2/12 hatching. Bought an incubator and hygrometer and a dozen more hatching eggs. Incubator says it's 40 C (104 F) (results are read at top portion of incubator), hygrometer (placed where the eggs are on the bottom) says it's 99.3-99.7 F at any given time. I'm going with the hygrometer - thoughts?

 

[PD-Riverman]

So, first attempt at hatching eggs under a broody hen resulted in 2/12 hatching. Bought an incubator and hygrometer and a dozen more hatching eggs. Incubator says it's 40 C (104 F) (results are read at top portion of incubator), hygrometer (placed where the eggs are on the bottom) says it's 99.3-99.7 F at any given time. I'm going with the hygrometer - thoughts?

OK, willing to offer help but need more info, What type incubator are you using---brand, model? I think I know the Model you got and I to would go by the other meter you added.

Why only 2 out of 12 under a hen?? What happened? I have very high hatch rates with broody hens (72 broody hens in 2015 alone, over 150 in 2013, 2014, 2015--only years I kept up with it) and would be willing to share what I do if you are interested? Good Luck!

 

[Sarah B.]

Do you have a fan? If not (which I think you don't) there will be hot and cold spots. I would if you can add a fan (lots of wind won't affect the eggs), that will even the distribution of hot air and so it should make the temp the same throughout the incubator. You didn't say your humidity level. . . and what day are you on? Hope it all goes well!

 

[HereChickChickChick88]

OK, willing to offer help but need more info, What type incubator are you using---brand, model? I think I know the Model you got and I to would go by the other meter you added.

Why only 2 out of 12 under a hen?? What happened? I have very high hatch rates with broody hens (72 broody hens in 2015 alone, over 150 in 2013, 2014, 2015--only years I kept up with it) and would be willing to share what I do if you are interested? Good Luck!

I bought a small 10 egg off-brand (yosoo?) incubator that had amazing reviews. It was around $60 - not the Brinsea. I thought about it, but I'm already pushing my husband's Divorce to Animal Ratio, so I'm treading lightly there and figured, "Hey, people DIY incubators all the time, so I'll start here." and clicked "buy" on Amazon.

As for the broody hatch rate being low, I had the eggs shipped and they were superbly packaged and one broke - and many "exploded" under the hen. The seller thinks it was bad handling and filed a complaint with USPS and had another dozen shipped to me. I did find that I prefer to hand-raise them b/c the chicks under the broody were scared of me and the chicks I hand raise inside follow us like dogs in the yard - I like the latter. My main goal is teaching my soon to be 4 year old responsibility, compassion, thoughtfulness, and generally that hard work pays off (also she's learning the science in it all as well - I stay home with her - we come up with some cool projects to do together and we both love animals, so this is awesome - can't imagine eating store eggs ever again).

Please share any info - I'm new at this and we love to learn. I'm grateful that so many people in this BYC community are kind enough to "take me under their wings" (pun intended). Thank you!

 

[HereChickChickChick88]

Do you have a fan? If not (which I think you don't) there will be hot and cold spots. I would if you can add a fan (lots of wind won't affect the eggs), that will even the distribution of hot air and so it should make the temp the same throughout the incubator. You didn't say your humidity level. . . and what day are you on? Hope it all goes well!

Thank you for the positive thoughts - I'll need those. It does have a fan - it's the Yosoo 10 egg model (not fancy). My humidity level stays between 40-55. It's day 2. Put them in around 6:30pm on Friday. I've read mixed reviews on humidity levels but most have said that the number one reason for low hatch rate has been too high of a humidity level during the incubation phase.... I'm new to this so forgive my ignorance. Any help is appreciated - thanks so much!

 

[Pyxis]

The built in thermometers on incubators, especially cheap knock off brands, are usually inaccurate. I'd be trusting the thermometer that you put in. Wouldn't hurt to calibrate it to be sure. I like the digital probe type thermometers made for reptiles. Usually very accurate, and very easy to calibrate using the ice water method. You might want to pick one up and use that after calibrating to be sure you're accurate.

Your humidity may also be high - for me 40 to 55 percent would be drowning the chicks in the shell. I need to run at 30% for my area. Watch the air cells and adjust as needed. Here's a handy chart you can follow.

 

[HereChickChickChick88]

The built in thermometers on incubators, especially cheap knock off brands, are usually inaccurate. I'd be trusting the thermometer that you put in. Wouldn't hurt to calibrate it to be sure. I like the digital probe type thermometers made for reptiles. Usually very accurate, and very easy to calibrate using the ice water method. You might want to pick one up and use that after calibrating to be sure you're accurate.

Your humidity may also be high - for me 40 to 55 percent would be drowning the chicks in the shell. I need to run at 30% for my area. Watch the air cells and adjust as needed. Here's a handy chart you can follow.

View attachment 1087259

There are so many conflicting theories on humidity - literally just googled "incubation humidity level" and got "50-55%" and also 40-50% so that's where I was aiming my numbers. Also, I've read higher and lower - it's confusing. Thanks for the advice, I think I'm going to stick to the lower levels - hope I didn't do too much damage day 1. What area are you in? I'm in central Pennsylvania. Thanks for the chart.

 

[Pyxis]

I'm in VT, so we are fairly close. I'd try running low first and see what the air cell does. Or better yet, weigh the eggs for the most accuracy.

The first incubation is always the hardest, while you are trying to figure out what will work for you

 

[CrowHollowFarm]

I honestly believe a lot of these settings depend on your individual situation. For instance, I keep my incubator in the basement with a dehumidifier running all the time. I run my temp around 102 and humidity around 55 to 60. When I'm ready to hatch I throw all the water I can get to it. I hatch at the least 85% and up to 99. So you really need to take advice for a starting point and then do a lot of work in an area that stays consistent temp. Good luck

 

[PD-Riverman]

I have helped many people all across the USA and Canada with great results. I would not sleep if I knew my humidity was 50 to 60% during the first 18 days of incubation until I got it DOWN. BUT if a person can have their humidity that high and have a real high hatch--do what works it what I say. In the 30's% for the first 18 days is what works for me and I have a hatch rate of 95 to 100% of fertile eggs, hatches like 236 eggs in, 233 hatch, 180 in 179 hatch, etc, etc. I would always say---start out with a lower humidity on the first 18 days and raise it high for the hatch and see what happens. Good Luck