Would this be good to use for incubating or what?

Question

I've been told a thermometor used for checking body temperatures isn't the best thermometor to use for an incubator. I found a thermometor used for checking room temperatures, would this work for a homemade incubator?

I only want to know cuase I'm planning on trying to hatch a pigeon from a friend I DON'T have an egg right now. I live in Nevada my room is pretty warm right now even though I have my ionic breeze and regualr fan running, I also have the window open.

(No jokes or wisecracks please)


I don't want anything to happen to this egg when I finally get it!

I DID my research on temps & hand feeding for almost a year now.

Answer 1

Hi Checkers, this is the exact same thermometer that I use to check the temp of my brooder and also to test the temp of formula prior to feeding. I realise this is an aussie site, but you can see what I use, and then find something where you live.

http://www.dse.com.au/cgi-bin/dse.storefront/4632d14e08458a602741c0a87f9c06d0/Product/View/Q1452

This is also a good type. http://www.dse.com.au/cgi-bin/dse.storefront/4632d14e08458a602741c0a87f9c06d0/Product/View/Y5031

Answer 2

In my brooder box I have two thermometers (always handy incase one reads wrong) The first is a simple- standard buld fishtank thermometer (they only cost around $1) The second cost a little more ($15) but it is brilliant. It is a digital fishtank thermometer that can have the temperature programed in so that an alarm sounds when the temp drops too high and too low, it's the best investment I have ever made, I can sleep easy knowing my chicks are protected from overheating or getting too cold.

These work brilliantly in brooder box, but in an incubator you will also need to be able to read the humidity in the box as well, so a hydrometer is important. You could check out Ebay for thermometers and hydrometers, thats where I got mine from.

Answer 3

get a thermometer-thermostat like they use for a fish tank. Then you can keep your incubator at a constant temperature, which is very important. You need to find out what temperature to keep a pigeon egg for hatching, how often to turn it, and whether and how often to sprinkle it with water? Find out all the instructions before starting to incubate it.
Hand-feeding a pigeon hatchling may be a challenge. You will have to keep it warm until it gets feathers, and you will have to feed it every two hours (except at night; it should sleep through the night, as pigeons can't go out gathering food at night.)

Answer 4

You would be best to get 2 probe type thermometers with one degree increments.They come already calibrated and are very accurate.Checking their accuracy is also easy all you have to do is boil water put the end of the prob about half way into the water.It should register 212 degrees f.The best part about the probe style is you can put it through the side of the incubator about a half inch above the egg.Being on the out side the temp is very easy to read.