How to test incubator temperature

[@underthemilkyway7249]

do you wash the eggs before going in the incubator?

[@selfretired3025]

@underthemilkyway7249 Let's think about nature for a minute. Do eggs in nature get washed before the hen hatches them? No. Fertile eggs for incubation come directly from a farm and should never be refrigerated or washed... and only handled minimally to avoid scratches and contamination as everything reduces hatch rate.

[@Chickenmom777]

😳

[@prati_wie]

How does the incubator work? without putting water but humidity can be achieved?

[@selfretired3025]

It works by plugging it in. It has an option to add water, if that's the desired method of hatching one prefers. Without using the water setup provided, it also allows for dry hatching, if that's the desired method of hatching one prefers. I suggest doing more homework but you can also get an incubator, put the proper kind of eggs in it, and learn along the way.

[@prati_wie]

Many people sell hatching eggs like in your video.. (without adding water) to keep the humidity stable... but I want to know how to make it moist without water? because if there is not enough humidity and it is too hot then the eggs will cook (the shell is hard, the chick will have difficulty breaking the shell and will die) and vice versa, if it is too damp, the egg in the shell will become wet (the chick will die before it hatches)

[@selfretired3025]

You are putting too many "ifs" and fear into it. I suggest researching your fears away... then you will be more comfortable. :)

[@MJ-wz6jo]

how accurate is this incubator. And how did hatching go.

[@selfretired3025]

I would say the incubator is like most any other incubator. It does the job. If you've never incubated eggs before, this is a very good experience. There's a lot to learn about candling, why eggs fail, etc. Those things cannot be blamed on any incubator. As far as accuracy... following the instructions as far as using the provided foam cover is a nice added benefit. Temperature fluctuations in the house, like opening a door, effects the incubator. In lieu of putting it in a dark corner or large box, I found a video that suggested the referenced heating pad to help with fluctuations. I think it helped a lot even though it really didn't feel like it was on... just that tiny bit helped so the hatching eggs didn't experience big temp fluctuations... which they can probably handle but I tend to go overboard. You do you. As far as adding water or not, I had 3 hatch out early, before water was going to be needed. Apparently slightly higher temps vs lower can do that. Once I added a few drops of water, the hatching stopped... and I think its because the water port is also the only air intake. Someone else I know who hatches eggs used this as a dry hatch only (no water) and had much better results. She also has her own hens vs my shipped eggs... which also effects hatch rate. I enjoyed it and would do it again... even if it's to hatch them out for someone else. :)

[@MJ-wz6jo]

@@selfretired3025 I was given a single egg this past September I didn't have a incubator I winged it and was not expecting anything I put mine egg in a gallon pickle jar and a small bowl of water sat it in a foam carton on my desk and shined a 60 watt incident bulb on it august 10th on day 23 my little egg hatched I turned the egg quite a bit.

[@selfretired3025]

@MJ-wz6jo that's a fantastic idea!! :)

[@douglascolman4501]

Maybe use a medical thermometer to see which one is most accurate.

[@selfretired3025]

That's an interesting consideration. Are there any that display the temperature constantly without opening the incubator?

[@douglascolman4501]

@@selfretired3025 I have a digital thermometer that could be put inside the incubator. You just need to calibrate the ones you have and use the most accurate one. Would have been better to get the temperature sorted before you put the eggs in.

[@selfretired3025]

@@douglascolman4501 the temperature changes once the eggs are in and while they grow. It's not an exact science in nature and you could certainly do as you suggested, especially if you're not monitoring the humidity. How's your hatch rate going? I'm sure people would enjoy seeing a video of the success of the thermometer you suggested! The incubator itself is quite reasonable... and I love the clear cover. :)