I was curious as to who goes by the temps inside the egg box and who goes by temps just outside the egg box? I have thermometers both inside and out side my egg box and I seem to be getting slightly higher temp readings inside the egg box right now 90-92 (eggs are at day 24) The temps had started off same inside and outside but have slowly risen over time now. All my gauges outside the box read 88 and haven't moved....I'm using a sterlite 12 quart tub not wrapped and no holes..the lid does snap on nicely. I open the tub every so often to allow fresh air in....I guess my concern is should I go by the temps inside the egg box? If so at what point should I lower the temps? What temp is to high for BP eggs? Or should I just stay focused on the gauges outside the box and go by them? Last question at what day do people generally start seeing eggs creating there own heat?

Lots of questions there 5 total I think :)....Concerned and curious all in one for the most part :)

Outside the box.

John, I've always used the temps inside the egg box. I set up an empty egg box with the probe inside and place it in the middle shelf. My helix is set at 88 and it's worked well for me so I've never changed it. I'm sure many will tell you it works fine outside the egg box as well. I just use what works for me.

I use egg boxes which have approx. a dozen holes but I tape up all but three. Near the end of incubation, around day 45 or so the boxes typically start to steam up. At that point, I remove the tape over the holes so there is more air circulation. At day 50 even if the boxes haven't steamed I remove the tape. It usually depends on the size of the clutch; for example, three egg clutches won't steam up as early as an eight egg clutch.

I think I answered your questions, if not just let me know. I think bp eggs are very hardy, just keep them warm and don't get them wet. I recently posted a story where I drove a clutch from NJ to AZ mid incubation and all hatched well.

Outside.

I look at both.......

Both are important and as long as both are stable, then you shouldn't have a problem. I'd say the preferable range for BP eggs is 88-92. I read somewhere (Barkers book I think?) that BP eggs have been hatched anywhere from 80-100 degrees. That means that we are all over-thinking the temp issue! If your incubator holds steady temps, and your egg boxes hold steady humidity (without the eggs coming into contact with water), and last but not least.........you have viable eggs, then you shouldn't have a problem. Good luck! :cheers: