Do not turn eggs??? What do you think???

[twigg]

It's worth remembering that this discussion has been frank, open and entirely without malice, finger-pointing or blame.

Honest exchanges of views in a positive manner is ALL I have read here, and this thread should be a *sticky* on how to discuss a sensitive subject positively

There will be sharp differences of opinion. There have been here and all have been put well.

Just a note about discussion ...... the original poster must always expect a good discussion to range about a bit. As the thing progresses then points will be raised that members want to explore, even if the topic drifts a bit. There will also be those mindful that the thread is read by members of all experiences, and wanting to point out that what is discussed might not be either the *norm* or even *good practise* ... kind of a *buyer beware* thang.

That isn't either a pro or anti stance, it's just a warning to the unwary.

Fir example .... in this thread I have argued quite fiercly with Richard ... and Richard is a grown up who has made his case well. I have enjoyed it and so, I suspect, has he. No one has been flamed or called out, grown-ups don't do that.

I will leave this thread with a great deal of renewed respect for some people, and that will carry over into other Forums.

Good discussion ..... Good Job all

 

[AussieSharon]

I had a neighbor just try the no turn method. Of 36 eggs 4 hatched. I don't know the details of humidity and candling etc but the eggs were all from his backyard flock.

 

[Mrs MIA]

I think MY take-home lesson from all the discussion is that I don't HAVE to be so picky about turning the eggs at a particular time. Heck, the hens don't do it on a set schedule, so why sweat it? As long as you are turning them every now and then so that the embryo has access to fresh yolk material throughout the incubation process, your chances of a good hatch are just as good as if you left the eggs under the hen.

I'm working very hard on being less-picky about my incubation process.

 

[wegotchickens]

So, if this were being done as a science experiment.

1) Use mutt eggs from home, same # for both hatches.

2) Do not use shipped eggs since there are too many variables with them?

3) Use the same equipment both times, trying to keep to the same temps & humidity.

4) Have the turner on for 1 batch, off for the second.

5) Compare percentages for the 2 batches.

If both sets were done back to back, that would minimize breeding variations due to season, right? What other flaws would there be?
Since we have 2 EE's that breed consistently to our Silkie Roo, and I can tell their eggs apart, having 5 of each for both hatches would be easy.
That would also help rule out fertility issues?
And we could also look at the genetics of whether the mutts got feathered feet or weird plumage more from one hen or the other?

What do you think?

 

[Oblio13]

I think the big hatcheries have already done it for us, and with a statistically significance that we can't approach. If they turn, we should turn.

 

[twigg]

What do you think?

I think that with all the potential variables in our amateur set-ups, it would be very difficult to achieve a meaningful result.

Turning or not is a well trodden path. I have yet to find a statistically significant report that suggests that not turning can produce similar results to turning.

There are some pitfalls here. It is clear that, given decent practises, about 50% of eggs will hatch without turning. These will be the strongest 50%, and they woulda hatched, with turning, even if other factors weren't exactly spot on.

The interest is in raising hatch rates from whatever your current rate is to the highest you can get. And we all can keep trying until we are hitting 90% plus.

It becomes a matter of economy, in the end. Cost/benefit, if you like.

If I am hatching 300 000 eggs, then every 1% improvement is significant to my bottom line. If I am hatching 30, and don't rely on it for my principle income, well I can be happy with 20 chicks ... I can always have the fun of hatching again.

On the other hand, if I am hatching a single parrot egg that I just paid $150 for, then I want to get close to 100% , and will spend money to make sure I do.

All the evidence for *not turning* is anecdotal.

This may be how some folk choose to incubate, it is entirely a matter for them. I suspect the ones who have posted here about achieving similar, and very high percentage, hatch rates while not turning, are enjoying a very good run of luck. Hard to tell with so few eggs.

ymmv

 

[MaransGuy]

Quote:
Well, I agree with Twigg on all but one point!

I never considered it an arguement, just a difference of opinion, and I did enjoy the exchange. I also agree that it would be next to impossible to achieve true scientific results since eggs are simply not 100% identical. There are all sorts of variations that can cause results, on both sides of the experiment, to give a false result. There have been examples of poor hatches without turning as well as those that had 100% success. I have a feeling that this debate will go on longer than the "which came first - the chicken or the egg" debate! Even with turning, there are so many factors that affect our hatches, genetics, nutrition, egg age, temp, humidity, oxygen, etc... that a true comparison is simply not possible. We all need to do whatever we can to hatch out succesfully but, most importantly, have fun doing it.

Richard

 

[twigg]

I never considered it an arguement,

lol ... Of course it was an argument .... but it was never a fight ... there is a difference

 

[tnkinhunting]

I have watched many, many setting hens and "most of the time they sit in a trance like state without moving" but they also do occassionaly wiggle and move either to make themselves more comfortable or instinct drives them to. They come off for 5 to 10 minutes to eat and relive themselves during the first part of their incubation but near the end I haven't noticed much if any movement for days. My point being - the hen does it best. The x"s and o's on the eggs is a little bit much with me - I just give them all a gentle roll maybe once a day maybe not and forget them. I do not precisely see that they are turned completely over every day. I have never seen a hen do that. I do have turner's and I am not too keen on them - I use them but I don't see hen's doing that.....?

I do keep the temp at 99.0 and humidity at 50%.....with my own eggs I go great - shipped eggs I have a 1% hatch rate. I have only set two dozen shipped eggs - hatched one chick.

Just my experience and opinion.

 

[twigg]

My point being - the hen does it best.

Studies have shown that the hen turns the eggs about every 30 mins.​