Temperature .5 to 1 degree less with Govee day 3 incubator

[C Siena]

We are hatching for the first time in an incubator (NR 360), we had it running a day, worked well. We ran it again for 12 hours just to confirm. I placed 2 different meat thermometers in it and both read 99ish (slightly over) as the NR360 read 99.5. I placed eggs in the bator on Sat 11pm. Sunday added the Govee. It has been on top of the eggs for 2.5 days and is reading the same to .5 to 1 degree less (98.5-99.5). I began to monitor where the Govee was located and took temp/humidity% every hour or two (except when sleeping). Monday late afternoon I wrapped a towel around the bator, not blocking the vents, and the Govee temp was more consistent at 99.2-99.5, while the 360 reads 99.5 on occasion hitting 100 but going back to 99.5 in a minute or two.

My slight concern is a couple of times the Govee read 98.2-98.7 for 3-4 hours today and was the same for 2-3 hours yesterday. Is this a concern?

It seems that the Govee loses temp when it is the top right of the bator 1 o'clock to 3 o'clock. I'm adjusting the towel to see if it helps. I have checked and the top is seated correctly/no gaps. The humidity is 53% avg on the 360 and 4-5% lower on the Govee. Thanks to all or anyone.

 

[Mvan42]

99.5 is ideal but its ok in a slight variation. But as close and consistent as possible

 

[C Siena]

Is it better 98.2- 99.4 per the Govee, which at times is a full degree plus too low. The 360 rarely moves from 99.5 ( internal thermometer is about 1.5" above the eggs). I think I'll put the meat thermometer where the Govee is and check them side by side.

 

[Mvan42]

Have they both been calibrated?

 

[C Siena]

No. I knew I could not immerse the Govee in water, so just checked it with the 2 meat thermometers. We don't use ice, so I have a baggie of water in the freezer, waiting for ice.
Just checked and Govee and 360 both at 99.5 again. Hopefully I'll have ice within the hour. I'm just wondering if the temp is too low at times and if I should set the 360 to 100 degrees. I'll be candling later tonight about 9pm, 94 hours/almost 4 days. Thanks

 

[HollowOfWisps]

First, do NOT cover the vents. Eggs need air. I keep all of my vents open when hatching and have been doing it that way for years. Second, leave the temperature be the eggs will be fine. Hens do not sit on the eggs 24/7 and the temperature changes within a degree or two depending on how they sit on the eggs. Everything needing to be exactly right 100% of the time is a people thing not a chicken thing. On another note digital thermometers are not the most reliable. I have been hatching for years and only use analog, but if I didn’t have my analog I would not even bother with the digital. I have seen them make new hatchers freak out too much because of how they fluctuate. Also your nurture right thermometer 360 can be pre-calibrated before each hatch. It is in the manufacturers guide.

 

[C Siena]

First, do NOT cover the vents. Eggs need air. I keep all of my vents open when hatching and have been doing it that way for years. Second, leave the temperature be the eggs will be fine. Hens do not sit on the eggs 24/7 and the temperature changes within a degree or two depending on how they sit on the eggs. Everything needing to be exactly right 100% of the time is a people thing not a chicken thing. On another note digital thermometers are not the most reliable. I have been hatching for years and only use analog, but if I didn’t have my analog I would not even bother with the digital. I have seen them make new hatchers freak out too much because of how they fluctuate. Also your nurture right thermometer 360 can be pre-calibrated before each hatch. It is in the manufacturers guide.

Thank you. I wrote in the original post that I did not cover the vents...I've been reading for hours and hours the last week. Heck, I joined BYC 4 months before we had chicks. I wanted to read and read and be somewhat prepared. I don't expect to be 100% exactly right, just want to get as close as I can. I have only hatched borrowing our neighbor's very broody bantam silkie 3 times, what a pleasure. The meat thermometer is matching the NR360 within 1/2 degree (not digital). It's served me well for years making yogurt, so I'll just keep all three testing temps. I read about calibrating the 360 but decided not to try it before this batch as I had the eggs ready to go. I will try to do so after this hatch. Thank you for your help and you are correct, some go crazy.

 

[Susan Skylark]

Forget the incubator readings, trust your thermometers, yes plural, you’re going to have variation across the incubator and hot and cold spots, rotate the eggs side to side, front to back and top to bottom or inside to out daily to keep them developing at the same rate otherwise your hatching may occur over days. Keep it between 98.5-100.5 in general and you’ll do fine, most of all don’t panic, if a chicken can do it, you’ll do fine!

 

[C Siena]

Thank you. I did begin to rotate the eggs in the middle to the outside yesterday and will do so again today, then the third set tonight. I candled 12 of the 22 last night (10pm) and think 9 of the 12 are developing. When I cracked open eggs to eat, it seemed that we only had a 40-50% fertilized rate...maybe I did not see correctly.
As the humidity is around 48-50%, with water in bay A, I can raise it at the end by adding water to bay B and if need be, add small damp/wet pieces of sponge. I practiced the humidity with my husband's homemade humidor. When the water bay was empty the humidity was about 30%.