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

[twigg]

Not turning eggs is something that has been tested many times in books I have read.

Generally, about 50% of chicken eggs will hatch, given all other factors being ideal.

Can't see why I would want to try that

 

[LoveFarming]

To get a true and proper test of this turning/non-turning theory, I used my own birds' eggs. Same amount of eggs of each of two breeds, one batch turned regularly and one batch not turned at all. I got the same hatching results and chicks were just as strong and healthy either way.
There was a statement in the article that says where one could then say turning is detrimental to the eggs, I can't quite uphold that statement. NOT turning the eggs did nothing to the embryos in my incubator and did nothing to the chicks physically, but I can say; however, that it is quite a fairly new standard practice that with eggs which were shipped, people state to leave the eggs upright for the first few days of incubation to give the embryos a good start of taking hold and growing, where as many with the 'loose air cells' tend to not keep developing properly especially if they are constantly turned from day one of incubation because the contents of the egg keep rolling around and never give the embryo a chance before it gets smothered.
I always keep shipped eggs sitting upright for about 5 days into incubation, and sometimes longer because I just forget to move them to a tray that turns, WHOOPS!

I think incubation and hatching in incubators rather than using a hen is simply a matter of making it a balancing act of knowing all the tried and true methods and then adjusting everything to fit your circumstances......your climate, your particular incubator, etc.

Jim

 

[MaransGuy]

Hi Jim,

Thanks for this input. It seems to make a lot of sense to me. I also do not turn eggs that have loosened air cells from shipping and found that it has been a great help. It was suggested to me by some very long-time hatchers as well!

Richard

 

[fowltemptress]

Quote:
I think it's interesting that everyone answered no to the first question. Though unable to actually pick up the eggs and turn them, I've always observed hens periodically lifting themselves up to rearrange the eggs beneath her. Whether they are doing it just to get comfortable is debatable, but I would hypothesize that the hen's maneuverings for the sake of comfort could have evolved to be essential for a successful hatch, or at the least, to not be detrimental to it, as it is for reptile eggs. I would not have answered no to that question.
As for the second question, I rarely see the eggs that are stuck and dirty at the bottom of a clutch of eggs actually hatch. Those are the ones I usually find abandoned after a hen is done with her hatch. I am very skeptical as to the conclusions drawn from this article, but am grateful it was posted. It was a very interesting read, I love when traditional ideas are questioned. One of my favorites is the myth that purple martens are a significant cause of mosquito population control. My grandparents still refuse to believe their beloved martens do nothing to keep the mosquitoes in check.

 

[twigg]

One of my favorites is the myth that purple martens are a significant cause of mosquito population control. My grandparents still refuse to believe their beloved martens do nothing to keep the mosquitoes in check.

Yes, the article was interesting. However, before we rush to throw out generations of expertise one should question whether or not it is not merely *interesting*, but also authoritative.

Here is another article about egg turning:

http://ps.fass.org/cgi/content/full/85/8/1498​

 

[MaransGuy]

Actually, I was no longer discussing the article as there is just too much debate on whether it would work or not. I was referring to LoveFarming's

To get a true and proper test of this turning/non-turning theory, I used my own birds' eggs. Same amount of eggs of each of two breeds, one batch turned regularly and one batch not turned at all. I got the same hatching results and chicks were just as strong and healthy either way.

Also, I have my own experience in not turning eggs at first when there are loose air cell problems. This was information passed on to me from old timers on how to get those to hatch. I don't think anyone is trying to get anyone to NOT turn their eggs, but rather point out, from their own experience, that it is evidently not necessary

I got the same hatching results and chicks were just as strong and healthy either way.

Richard​

 

[crazyfowllady]

Just did some research on the net and found a book preview titled: Egg Incubation
Its Effects on Embryonic Development in Birds and Reptiles.

I must say, the parts I could read convinced me to continue turning my eggs! There seems to have been alot of real research into this so it's not just an old wives tale. I'm going to keep reading and searching with this old dial-up, so if anybody out there can find online results of these studies, please post them here! Going now to read the above link!

 

[MaransGuy]

Again, I am not trying to convince anyone to change their hatching practices, however if we are really interested in study results, we cannot disregard any results, whether they support or disagree with our view. If you are succesful in hatching then don't change anything. My point specifically regarding LoveFarming's experiment is that, based on his results, it is evidently not necessary to turn eggs to get them to hatch. This is not so say that you should not turn eggs but we can't say that eggs MUST be turned in order to hatch. Truth be told, I do still turn my eggs in an auto turner. However, I just set some today that have loose air cells and the turner will not be plugged in for a few days yet.

Richard

 

[TerrasCritters]

I don't think it will get through anyones head, to many closed minds, but if anyone is open minded and tries it, you might be suprized. If not, atleast you could say you tried, if they are your own eggs, no loss - no gain. Or maybe better.

There are so many different incubation and hatching methods, some work for some and some dont work for others. Its EXPERIENCE and what works for YOU.

If you have eggs of your own, why not try it before bashing it? I have heard great results.

I personally turn my eggs, I have the auto turner, my next batch I may try it without turning at all. I am open minded and willing to give everything a chance.

Like the humidity, I have ran my incubator pure dry, and have had better hatches then I have ever had when adding water during incubation. Wont do that anymore!

 

[Guitartists]

Couldn't you put a little number on the end of each egg being hatched by a hen and monitor whether or not she is actually turning them?