after placing my chicken eggs flat in the incubator for 5 days, can I still put it upright (round si

[Cheecky B]

I only read now that it is recommended to place it upward. Also, I saw that the embryo of the chicken is moving to the small end and that is why I began worrying. Can deformities be prevented?

 

[dheltzel]

Not sure where you got hat recommendation, but the best way to position eggs is on their side, with the small end slightly lower than the midpoint. That said, it matters very little for chicken eggs and you can get more eggs in if positioned small end down, so most turners do it that way. Peacock eggs, for example, hatch much better when left on their sides.

But to answer your question, you can change the orientation anytime you want, just don't put them "on their heads" (big end down). Also, eggs that have been shipped need a special handling. You didn't mention they were shipped, so I assume not.

The last 3 days, I always put the eggs on their sides, but I've heard of some people successfully hatching in egg cartons.

 

[Cheecky B]

Thanks you very very much for the great reply it is much appreciated. I can relax now!!! Can deformities be prevented or am I just being paranoid. Its probably too soon to tell!!!

 

[dheltzel]

Deformed chicks rarely hatch without assistance, so it's not as big a problem as you might think. Some eggs will not develop, some will die later in process, some will pip and still die before hatching. Those are the facts, and careful incubation might prevent some of those, but not all.

Hatching eggs can be a bit heartbreaking at times. Some people only buy chicks and don't experience that, but they miss the fun of hearing peeping from an incubator that was silent for weeks.