How to...

Monitor Setter Temperature

Variation

Why Monitor Setter 06

Temperature Variation?
• Routine monitoring of
temperature variation within and
between setters is a powerful
tool for checking hatchery
maintenance programs.
• Excessive temperature variation
within a setter indicates machine
malfunction or incorrect machine
operation.
• Temperature variation between
setters indicates that the
machines are not calibrated
correctly.

Procedure for Measuring Setter

Temperature Variation - General Principles

WHY MEASURE SETTER TEMPERATURE VARIATION?

• Setter air temperature variation is monitored by measuring the shell
temperature of eggs that have little or no embryonic heat production
(infertile eggs or eggs incubated between 2 and 7 days) at different
locations within the setter.
• It is important to use the same methodology every time.
• Use the same equipment to measure temperature in all setters and ensure
test thermometers are properly calibrated.
• Only test setters that are fully loaded with eggs and in multi-stage machines
have balanced sets.
• Wait one day after setting or transfer before measuring temperature.

• Frequency of checking depends on how often problems are found.

- the more often problems are identified, the more often the setters need
to be checked
- as a minimum, check setters every 3 months; if more than 10% of
setters have excessive temperature variation increase the frequency of
checks.

01
 How to...
Monitor Setter Temperature
Variation

Procedure for Measuring 06

Setter Temperature Variation
In setters that are easy to work safely inside
while the machine is operating, eggshell
temperature can be checked using a Braun
ThermoScan® ear thermometer with a pre-
heated tip.

In setters where it is difficult to access eggs

at different locations while the machine is
operating, eggshell temperature can be
checked using data loggers with an external
probe (e.g.Tinytags 4023).
Procedure for Measuring Setter Temperature Variation

Procedure for Using Braun

Thermoscan

Step 1:
Check that the measuring tip of the thermometer is clean and has a new plastic
cover. (Some older thermometer types may need to be kept at incubation
temperature for 30 minutes prior to use). Step 2

Step 2:
Identify an infertile egg in the center of the setter tray being
monitored using a flashlight.
Step 3:
Measure shell temperature at the equator of the egg, Step 3
making sure the tip of the thermometer is flat against the
eggshell surface.
Step 4:
Region for measuring
Record results to machine location.
eggshell temperature

02
 How to...
Monitor Setter Temperature
Variation

Procedure for Using

06
Data Loggers

Step 1:
Ensure that all data logger probes are reading the same temperature before use.
Step 2:
Following the manufacturer’s instructions, program the data loggers to record the
temperature every hour.
Step 3:
Identify an infertile egg in the center of the setter tray being monitored using a
flashlight.
Step 4:
Tape the tip of the data logger probe to the surface of the Step 4

egg at the equator. Use good quality tape so that the

probe tip stays in place.
Step 5:
Attach the logger to the setter tray.
Step 6:
Record temperatures over a period of at least one day.
Step 5

Step 7:
Download data from logger.

Procedure for Using Data Loggers

Where To Monitor Temperature
• Setter type determines the best locations to measure temperature variation.
• The locations chosen should cover the different areas of the setter.
- In smaller setters, the 4 different areas of the setter should be monitored.
- In larger setters with multiple control zones, each zone should be monitored
in at least two locations.
• The following diagrams show suggested locations ( ) for monitoring
temperature.
• In single-stage setters, shell temperatures are checked between 2 and 7 days
of incubation.

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 How to...
Monitor Setter Temperature
Variation

06

Multi-stage
Multi-stage TunnelTunnel Multi-stage
Multi-stage Fixed
Fixed Rack Walk-in
Multi-stage Tunnel
Acceptable eggshell
Acceptable egg shell
Rack Walk-In
Multi-stage Fixed Rack Walk-in
Entrance temperature
temperature range range.
Acceptable egg shell
Entrance
temperature range
100.7
38.2 – 101.0°F
- 38.3°C
(100.7 - 101°F)
100.7 – 101.0°F

98.8 – 99.2°F
98.8 – 99.2°F
37.1 - 37.3°C
Exit
(98.8 - 99.2°F)
Exit

Egg shell temperature

Eggshell should
temperature should be
be withinEgg± +/-
within 0.2°F
shell of setter
temperature
0.1°C (0.2°F) should
of setter
operating temperature
operating temperature.
be within ± 0.2°F of setter
operating temperature
Multi-stage
Multi-stage Trolley Cabinet Multi-stage
Multi-stage Trolley Walk-in
Trolley Cabinet
Multi-stage Trolley Cabinet Trolley
Multi-stage Walk-in
Trolley Walk-in

3 3
Zone
Zone
WHERE TO MONITOR TEMPERATURE

Zone2 2
Zone
Zone11
Zone

Eggshell temperature should be

Eggshell temperature should be
Egg+/-
within shell
Egg temperature
0.1°C (0.2°F)
shell should
of setter
temperature be be
should Egg
Eggshell
within temperature
shell
+/- temperature
0.1°C (0.2°F) of setter
operating temperature.
within ± 0.2°F of setter operating
within ± 0.2°F of setter operating operating
should
should bebetemperature.
within
within ±± 0.2°Fofof
0.2°F
temperature
temperature setter
setter operating
operating temperature
temperature

04
 How to...
Monitor Setter Temperature
Variation

Single-stage Trolley With Vertical

Central Fans Single-stage Laminar Flow Cabinet
06
Single-stage Trolley With Vertical
Single-stageCentral Trolley
Fans With Single-stage
Single-stage Laminar Flow Cabinet
Vertical Central Fans Laminar Flow Cabinet

Eggshell temperature should be within

± 0.1°C Egg shell
(0.2°F) temperature
of setter should be
operating
temperature and recorded from eggs
within ± 0.2°F of setter operating
Egg shell temperature should be Egg shell
between 2 temperature
and 7 days of should be
incubation.
temperature and recorded from
Eggshell within ± 0.2°Fshould
temperature of setter
be operating
within withineggs
± 0.2°F of setter
between operating
2 and 7 days of
Egg shell temperature should be temperature and recorded from
± 0.1°C (0.2°F) of setter operating from
temperature and recorded incubation.
withineggs
± 0.2°F of
betweensetter
2 andoperating
7 eggs
days of eggs between 2 and 7 days of
temperature and recorded from
temperature and
incubation. recorded
between 2 and 7 days of incubation.
from incubation.
eggs between 2 and 7 days of
incubation.
Single-stage Trolley Walk-in Single-stage Trolley With Horizontal
Single-stage Trolley Ventilation
Single-stage Fans With
Trolley
Single-stage Trolley Walk-in Single-stage Trolley With Horizontal
Walk-in Horizontal Ventilation
Ventilation Fans Fans

WHERE TO MONITOR TEMPERATURE

Eggshell temperature should be within

± 0.1°C
Egg (0.2°F)
Egg
shell of setter
shell operating
temperature
temperature should be should be
temperature
within ±within and
0.2°F of± 0.2°F of setter eggs
recorded
setter from
operating operating
between
temperature and7 recorded
2 and days of incubation.
from
temperature and recorded from
Eggshell
Egg
Eggtemperature
shell
shell should
temperature
temperature beshould
within
should be be eggs between 2 and 7 days of 7 days of
eggs between 2 and
± 0.1°C (0.2°F)
within ± of setter
0.2°F of operating
setter operating incubation.
within ± 0.2°F of setter operating incubation.
temperature and recorded
temperature fromfrom
and recorded eggs
betweentemperature
2 and 7 daysand
of recorded from
incubation.
eggs between 2 and 7 days of
eggs between 2 and 7 days of
incubation.
incubation.

05
 How to...
Monitor Setter Temperature
Interpreting Results Variation

• Compare shell temperature data between locations within a

setter and between setters. 06
• If the temperature from a location within a setter is outside the acceptable
range, then complete a thorough maintenance check on the setter.
• If there are differences between setters, then check setter calibration.

Setter # Location 1 Location 2 Location 3 Location 4 Action Taken

Set temperature = 37.5°C (99.5°F), Acceptable range = 37.4 - 37.6°C (99.3 – 99.7°F)
37.5°C 37.5°C 37.4°C 37.5°C
1 (99.5°F) (99.5°F) (99.4°F) (99.5°F)
37.5°C 37.4°C 37.6°C 37.6°C
2 (99.5°F) (99.4°F) (99.6°F) (99.7°F)
37.3°C 37.4°C 37.3°C 37.4°C
3 (99.2°F) (99.3°F) (99.2°F) (99.3°F) Recalibrated
37.4°C 37.5°C 37.5°C 37.4°C
4 (99.3°F) (99.5°F) (99.5°F) (99.4°F)
37.6°C 37.5°C 37.4°C 37.5°C
5 (99.6°F) (99.5°F) (99.4°F) (99.5°F)
37.2°C 37.5°C 37.4°C 37.5°C
6 (99.1°F) (99.5°F) (99.4°F) (99.5°F) Water leak repaired
37.5°C 37.5°C 37.4°C 37.5°C
7 (99.5°F) (99.5°F) (99.4°F) (99.5°F)
37.6°C 37.5°C 37.5°C 37.6°C
8 (99.6°F) (99.5°F) (99.5°F) (99.6°F)

Example shows 2 setters that were found to be outside the acceptable range
and the corrective actions that were taken.
• After completing maintenance and calibration checks, re-check shell
temperatures to ensure that all locations are within normal range.
• Keep records of results and maintenance carried out.
Interpreting Results

06
 How to...
Monitor Setter Temperature
Variation

Maintenance Issues That Can Cause 06

Temperature Variation
• Humidity sprays wetting eggs or floors 40.6°C (105°F)

• Blocked humidity nozzles

• Temperature sensors out of calibration
• Humidity sensors out of calibration
• Incorrect ventilation fan speeds
• Water cooling or heating solenoids stuck open
• Heater bars not working
• Too much cold air entering the setter
31.3°C (88.3°F)

• Ventilation dampers not working correctly Thermal camera image of eggs

chilled by faulty humidity nozzles

More Information
• Ross Tech – Investigating Hatchery Practice
• AVIATECH Hatchery Maintenance
• Others in the Hatchery How To series:
01 Measure Egg Water Loss
02 Measure Chick Yield
03 Measure Eggshell Temperature
04 Identify Infertile Eggs & Early Deads
05 Break Out and Analyze Hatch Debris
Interpreting Results

07