Egg turning question...Do you prefer to turn them your self or.......

[Chickensrock10110]

do you trust /prefer the auto turner?Why?

I was wondering if the way the eggs are turned or when they are turned affect your hatch rate.

I used a turner and out of 50 duck eggs I only got 3 ducklings

Just wondering if it coulld be my turner.Everything was great including the temp and humidity.All eggs had formed but towards the hatching date they looked like they quit growing a few weeks back.I was told that this could have happened because the vibrations that the turner makes while turning.

I figured that since I`m using a turner I will have a better hatch rate because I just need to open the bator for candling 2 times and to add water.So I used it!

Please share your experience with you turning the eggs and your experience with the turner.

I am planing to do another hatch.Should I hand turn them or should I just use the turner once more?

Thanks for your advice!

 

[Chicky~Buddy]

oh thats a tough question~I think about this lots too.

I experienced a yucky turner that gave almost 0% hatch it was a cheaper one that eggs sit vertical in a cup holder design and rotate. each time the turner slowly made its round to complete the rotation I watched closely and saw eggs would actually shift and hear them bump/slip into the turner cup at the end of each turning.

~~incorrect size of turner for the eggs i would guess and maybe design/function. cause I cant find eggs that sit nicely in them still.

I then did many hatches turning by hand~good/better than the first results. just seems like eggs chill and incubator can take time to heat back up and esp the humidity to climb back up to target.

then upgraded to better incubator with much better turner design the eggs sit in the incubator laying flat in egg trays and there is a sliding solid tray underneath that moves to the left and right allowing eggs to be gently turned.
this is my favorite and has by and far given me the best hatching % thus far.

 

[ajablu]

I have been wondering about this as well. I put eggs in the hovabator 1588 with the turner and have "alot" of clears. I put the rest of them in the LG and I am hand turning. I have development in 18 of 21 eggs in that. I know this does not mean that many will hatch and none may.
But I have to say I was really surprised by the difference. I have just started so I am learning as I go. My first hatch was in the LG . Twelve shipped eggs were set and 10 developed. Six of those hatched. Four others were near term but quit. I am sure it was probably something I did wrong since it was my first attempt. The LG is a still air though and I think there are temp differences in the various areas and also it did drop and spike on me a few times.
Now in the hova I have set 40 eggs and have just a few left that look to be developing. Mostly a lot of clears and some bloodrings. This is the first time using the hova so I am not sure if this is typical for it with the turner. The manual says to let it regulate the first hatches before you change things no matter what the thermometer says. So far that thermometer and the one that does humidity and temp both say 101 to 102 all the time.
So, I am in the process of learning what works for me, but I have wondered about the auto turners too. I have very limited experience so hopefully others will add their thoughts.

 

[Maidservant]

I've had better hatches using turners. I have one for my lg's and one for my hovabator. I'm hand turning some mutt eggs, but they are in egg cartons.

Emily in NC

 

[Farm Frenzy]

I hand turn and I like it very much. I have a turner, but have only used it once. It was just weird to me. I like hand turning because bonds you with the eggs even before the babies hatch!!!

 

[pokey]

i prefer the turner because it turns the eggs w/o opening the door, less handling to transfer bateria, and basicly it's less work.

 

[elliemay0305]

i use a turner. never thought it might have something to do with my hatch rate. now im thinking......

b ut i do like the turner b/c sometime si may forget to turn them!! i know i need a better incubator. i would love to have a big!

 

[WalkingWolf]

Quote:
I do not get as good a hatch rate with duck eggs compared to chicken eggs. They must be more sensitive to shipping bumps and heat and chill.

If you are using a LG with a turner your eggs are much to close to the heating element. If you look in your instructions it will tell you not to use the turner for extra large eggs for this reason. I don't know if a expander ring is available for the LG or not. Maybe you could make one, it would only need to expand it one inch.

Also when you use a turner you must make sure to have good ventilation, at least one plug must be removed. Otherwise your eggs will die from lack of oxygen and the excess CO2. When you hand turn there is a exchange of air when you open the bator to turn.