temperature
temperature on Alektorophobia: a running collection of 6 stories we have gathered and hand-picked because they are worth your time. Every post here touches on temperature in some way — the news, the analysis, the deep dives, and the occasional surprise find. Chickens. Everything there is to know about chickens and the fear of them. New stories are added to this page as we find them, so check back if you want to keep up with what is happening around temperature, or subscribe to the RSS feed to get them as soon as they are published. Browse the collection below, or head back to the homepage to see everything Alektorophobia is covering right now.
Incubating eggs, air cell vanished?
## Decoding Early Chick Deaths & Vanished Air Cells: A Cluck-tastic Conundrum Losing eggs during incubation is a heart-wrenching experience, and /u/Barefootcactus is facing just that. They’ve experienced several early deaths (days 6-9) and discovered an egg with a completely vanished air cell, despite the developing chick appearing otherwise normal. Maintaining consistent temperature (99°F) and humidity (45-55%) is crucial, but fluctuating humidity, potentially exacerbated by external temperature swings, could be a key factor. Relying solely on the incubator's built-in readings, without independent verification via a separate thermometer/hygrometer, introduces another potential variable. This situation highlights the delicate balance required for successful incubation. For those dealing with similar chicken care challenges, you might find our article, "Need help immediately!!!
One of my chickens just died from the heat
Losing a beloved chicken is heartbreaking, and we’re so sorry for your loss. It’s completely understandable to feel down, especially when your feathered friends are truly part of the family—as they clearly are for you. Dealing with grief while facing the public at work is incredibly tough, and we send our deepest condolences to you and your family, particularly your little one. Five chickens is still a flock, and each one leaves a unique void. With temperatures soaring to 105+ degrees daily, keeping your remaining chickens cool is paramount. You're already doing a great job with fans, water, and shade! You might also explore evaporative cooling methods. For more quirky insights into chicken care, check out our article, "she's so....
What Is The Best Temperature For Your Chickens???
## What Is The Best Temperature For Your Chickens? Keeping your feathered friends comfortable is key to healthy, happy chickens – and a bountiful egg supply! But what's the *cluck-tastic* ideal temperature range? Generally, chickens thrive between 60°F and 80°F (15°C - 27°C). Below 60°F, they'll huddle and conserve energy, while temperatures above 80°F can lead to panting and heat stress. Chicks, of course, need warmer conditions, typically between 90°F and 95°F (32°C - 35°C), gradually decreasing as they grow. Understanding these temperature needs is essential for providing proper shelter and ventilation. For more insights into chicken behavior, check out our community discussion on "why do my chickens do this when I pet them?" and discover some surprising answers!
How old do you think my Wyandottes are?
## Are Your Wyandottes Ready for Nighttime Adventures? So, you’re wondering about the age of your Wyandottes and whether they're "feathered out" enough for overnight outdoor access in temperatures around 60-65°F – a *cluck-tastic* question! Determining age can be tricky, but based on appearance, they likely range from 6-12 months. Feathering typically peaks around that timeframe. Generally, this temperature range *should* be tolerable for well-feathered Wyandottes, assuming they have a secure coop to retreat to. However, consider wind chill and potential predators. If you're still unsure about identifying your birds, check out our article, "Everyone’s favorite game: hen or roo?" for some helpful tips. Stay tuned for more egg-citing chicken wisdom!
I put shelf liner down in my incubator and now my eggs have weird marks on them
Oh dear, those lumpy egg impressions are a bit unsettling, aren't they? It sounds like you stumbled into a bit of *fowl play* with that shelf liner! While seemingly a clever way to prevent egg-rolling, certain shelf liner materials can react with the eggs, leaving those marks—and potentially impacting humidity levels critical for proper development. It’s best to ditch the liner; manually turning the eggs, though a bit trickier, is the safer route. Don't chickening out on the manual turning! It's a small price to pay for healthy chicks. Speaking of chicken behavior, if you're also dealing with a feathered friend who enjoys blocking doorways, you might find some relatable insights in our article, “Ginger, the Great Door Blocker.”
Incubation: I'm hand turning. Would it be best to turn 3x a day instead of 5x since I'll have to be opening the incubator each time?
## Hand-Turning Incubation: Finding the Sweet Spot So, you're hand-turning your eggs – cluck-tastic effort! It’s a common conundrum when your egg turner can’t handle the whole clutch. Our community member /u/Kitchen_Possible_159 is wrestling with exactly that, questioning whether 3 turns a day is better than 5, given the temperature and humidity fluctuations from repeated incubator openings. With 18 eggs and a turner for only 12, they're considering culling non-fertile eggs to match capacity – a tough decision! The key takeaway here is balancing consistent turning with minimizing environmental disruption. For more insights into flock dynamics, check out our recent discussion on "Weird behavior" and introducing a rooster. Let's hear your hand-turning tips and experiences – share your egg-citing successes (and challenges) in the comments!