Forgot to put the eggs large side up

[bobshere]

Hi, a buddy of mine just put eggs in his incubator and forgot to keep them in a carton large side up. He had them laying on their side. Will they still hatch ok or should he just scrap this round of hatching? Any advise would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[R2elk]

Hi, a buddy of mine just put eggs in his incubator and forgot to keep them in a carton large side up. He had them laying on their side. Will they still hatch ok or should he just scrap this round of hatching? Any advise would be appreciated. Thanks

Many people that are hand turning their eggs place them on their sides. The large side up rule is for eggs that are set vertically, usually in an automatic turner.

I have never known a hen that didn't brood and hatch her eggs while they were lying on their side.

 

[Kiki]

As long as he is turning them they should be just fine.

No reason why an egg can't hatch on it's side.



What day is he on?

 

[ShannonR]

Were they turned and moved around much before being set in the incubator? I tend to think they might be okay, but more details would help. How long were the eggs held before incubation?

 

[CluckNDoodle]

They should still hatch! It's one of those, "best practices" before incubating but I believe it's more important for eggs that have traveled from what I was told. It's to allow them to settle properly before starting incubation.

 

[bobshere]

He had them on his kitchen counter laying on their side while waiting for enough eggs to put in the incubator. They are his own eggs. The oldest egg would maybe be 10 days old. Yes they are being auto turned and it’s just hours into incubation.

 

[Kiki]

He had them on his kitchen counter laying on their side while waiting for enough eggs to put in the incubator. They are his own eggs. The oldest egg would maybe be 10 days old. Yes they are being auto turned and it’s just hours into incubation.

Hours in.... wouldn't worry for a second.