Auto turner or not to auto turner with a little giant incubator

I am lazy so if I were in your shoes I would probably convince myself that the auto-turner has better hatch rates. In reality I don't think there is much of a difference. Make sure your turn them a few times daily if you elect to not purchase.

 

I just took my turner out because I have 3 1/2 dozen which makes me have to use the slots by the turner motor and that baby gets hot and puts off a lot of heat. Even with the fan it creates hot spots. My eggs by it are developing too fast. I decided I'd get more even temps with them flat and manually turning. It's a pain, but nothing I can't handle.

 

I'd say it depends on your lifestyle as to rather manually turning would be a good alternative. If you can turn 3-5 times a day manually (Odd number of turns keeps eggs from staying on one side 2 nights in a row), then I would say that manually turning would be an option. However, if you are in my case (Leaving at 7:00 and not getting home till 10:00) then it would definitely increase hatch rates to have a turner because there is no way for me to turn them as much as needed.

 

If you have the standard 42 egg turner with the blanking plate on the hole next to the motor, move that rack where your broken one was, pop off the blanking plate, and you have room for 35 eggs. Turn the extra egg by hand until you find a clear in a week or so.