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How often should they be turned? Sorry Total Newb!!
Dont be sorry! LOL Have you had a look at the hatching 101 article? I have used every bit of info in that article so far! below is a paste from it, and will explain turning and why!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/hatching-eggs-101
Setting Eggs & Turning
It is important to ALWAYS wash your hands before handling your hatching eggs!
It is likewise important to SANITIZE your incubator AND equipment before AND after use!
Omphalitis, yolk sack infection is caused by a bacterium that enters through the porous egg shell and easily kills embryo's and newly hatched chicks. Unfortunately, incubation conditions are ideal for breeding bacteria as well as incubating eggs.
Only add room temperature eggs to your incubator to prevent SWEATING. Sweating/Condensation weakens the egg's natural defense mechanisms, providing an ideal environment for the growth of bacteria and penetrated through the shell pores and kill the embryo. Eggs can be laid on their sides or placed in turning tray with pointed end down/big air cell end up. For shipped eggs, please refer to SHIPPED EGGS section of this article.
Mark eggs, using a pencil, with an X on one side and an O on the other.
Make sure to turn the eggs at least 3 times a day, 5-7 it is best to turn the eggs for an odd number of times each day (i.e., 3, 5 or 7 times). The longest period that the egg remains in one position is during the night hours. Turning an odd number of times will alternate the nights that the same side of the egg is uppermostTurning by hand they should always be turned an odd amount of times and move them to a different part of the tray to protect them from temperature variation. You basically roll the eggs with your fingers/palm from X to O.
Turning the egg prevents the embryo from touching and attaching to the membrane inside the egg which could cause abnormal growth. The most convenient way to turn eggs is to purchase an egg turner. This also helps you to maintain a consistent humidity, since your incubator does not have to be opened the recommended 5-7 times for hand turning eggs. If the eggs are not placed on their sides, they should be placed at an angle so the small ends are in the downward position. Setting upright/vertical and then day 18 laying horizontal for actual hatching helps a chick hatch 1-2 hours earlier. Take extra precautions when turning eggs during the first week of incubation. The developing embryos have delicate blood vessels that rupture easily when severely jarred or shaken, thus killing the embryo.
When adding Eggs the temperature will immediately drop. DO NOT ADJUST THE THERMOSTAT, or risk accidentally cooking them. Wait 2/4 hours and if the temperature is still low, make a small adjustment, as small as you can. (Note: Small adjustments on the manual Styrofoam incubators make BIG changes!)https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/hatching-eggs-101
Setting Eggs & Turning
It is important to ALWAYS wash your hands before handling your hatching eggs!
It is likewise important to SANITIZE your incubator AND equipment before AND after use!
Omphalitis, yolk sack infection is caused by a bacterium that enters through the porous egg shell and easily kills embryo's and newly hatched chicks. Unfortunately, incubation conditions are ideal for breeding bacteria as well as incubating eggs.
Only add room temperature eggs to your incubator to prevent SWEATING. Sweating/Condensation weakens the egg's natural defense mechanisms, providing an ideal environment for the growth of bacteria and penetrated through the shell pores and kill the embryo. Eggs can be laid on their sides or placed in turning tray with pointed end down/big air cell end up. For shipped eggs, please refer to SHIPPED EGGS section of this article.
Mark eggs, using a pencil, with an X on one side and an O on the other.
Make sure to turn the eggs at least 3 times a day, 5-7 it is best to turn the eggs for an odd number of times each day (i.e., 3, 5 or 7 times). The longest period that the egg remains in one position is during the night hours. Turning an odd number of times will alternate the nights that the same side of the egg is uppermostTurning by hand they should always be turned an odd amount of times and move them to a different part of the tray to protect them from temperature variation. You basically roll the eggs with your fingers/palm from X to O.
Turning the egg prevents the embryo from touching and attaching to the membrane inside the egg which could cause abnormal growth. The most convenient way to turn eggs is to purchase an egg turner. This also helps you to maintain a consistent humidity, since your incubator does not have to be opened the recommended 5-7 times for hand turning eggs. If the eggs are not placed on their sides, they should be placed at an angle so the small ends are in the downward position. Setting upright/vertical and then day 18 laying horizontal for actual hatching helps a chick hatch 1-2 hours earlier. Take extra precautions when turning eggs during the first week of incubation. The developing embryos have delicate blood vessels that rupture easily when severely jarred or shaken, thus killing the embryo.
A Critical Period for the Turning of Hens' Eggs
http://dev.biologists.org/content/5/3/293.full.pdf
During incubation we try to mimic the natural conditions in the nest. Egg turning prevents adhesion of the embryo to the inner shell membrane. It stimulates the rate of development of the area vasculosa (the membrane which grows around the yolk and is rich in blood vessels). The area vasculosa is important for sub-embryonic fluid formation, as well as for yolk uptake later in incubation. It allows normal transfer of albumen proteins into the amniotic fluid, promoting optimum use of the albumen. It supports the growth of the chorio-allantois (the blood vessels right under the shell) to maximize oxygen absorption. Embryos in unturned eggs grow at a lower rate compared to embryos in eggs turned each hour over 90˚. It facilitates movements of the embryo into the normal hatching position and reduces the incidence of malpositions in unhatched embryos.
http://dev.biologists.org/content/5/3/293.full.pdf
During incubation we try to mimic the natural conditions in the nest. Egg turning prevents adhesion of the embryo to the inner shell membrane. It stimulates the rate of development of the area vasculosa (the membrane which grows around the yolk and is rich in blood vessels). The area vasculosa is important for sub-embryonic fluid formation, as well as for yolk uptake later in incubation. It allows normal transfer of albumen proteins into the amniotic fluid, promoting optimum use of the albumen. It supports the growth of the chorio-allantois (the blood vessels right under the shell) to maximize oxygen absorption. Embryos in unturned eggs grow at a lower rate compared to embryos in eggs turned each hour over 90˚. It facilitates movements of the embryo into the normal hatching position and reduces the incidence of malpositions in unhatched embryos.
Advice
Check the turning device before the start of each incubation cycle, as turning failures, depending on the moment of occurrence, are detrimental to results. Check and maintain the turning device regularly, to prevent a breakdown during incubation. http://ps.fass.org/content/85/8/1433.full
