Hatching Eggs & Turning

[FlyingGarlic]

I have 12 Turkey eggs. They are all different ages. I have the incubator set for 100F with humidity levels that flux between 56-60%. I hand turn them three times a day. I candled them recently and I saw that some of them are ~20-24 days. I know that they should hatch around day 28 but, I am inexperienced and worry that I might not know when to stop rotating the eggs!

Is there a tip or trick that will help me distinguish age with greater accuracy?

Is there great harm in turning them up to the day they pip?

 

[R2elk]

I have 12 Turkey eggs. They are all different ages. I have the incubator set for 100F with humidity levels that flux between 56-60%. I hand turn them three times a day. I candled them recently and I saw that some of them are ~20-24 days. I know that they should hatch around day 28 but, I am inexperienced and worry that I might not know when to stop rotating the eggs!

Is there a tip or trick that will help me distinguish age with greater accuracy?

Is there great harm in turning them up to the day they pip?

Turkey hens do not stop turning the eggs.

I have had poults hatch in the turner without any problems. If you are candling them regularly, you can stop turning them once you see the internal pip. If not, just leave them alone when you see the external pip.

 

[FlyingGarlic]

Thank you!!! That helps!

 

[kmartinez]

I stopped turning mine on day 25. Brought my humidity up to 70's I am now day 27 and all 14 of my eggs have external pips. The wait is torcher I tell ya LOL

 

[FlyingGarlic]

I bet! That is good to know, about the increase in humidity!

I read that you are not supposed to open the incubator the last three days is that to keep the temp/humidity steady?

 

[kmartinez]

I'm have my vent open all the way. I read were people kept it almost closed or half. But my mind tells me it should be open all the way for good Oxygen flow. So i have to open mine. I have a warm damp cloth and warm water in a spritzer. If my humidity drop I work quick. I spirtz the eggs and lay my wash cloth over them add water and quickly put them back. It had to do it this am. I try to make sure the water I replenish is not hot but warm.

 

[AmericanMom]

I'm have my vent open all the way. I read were people kept it almost closed or half. But my mind tells me it should be open all the way for good Oxygen flow. So i have to open mine. I have a warm damp cloth and warm water in a spritzer. If my humidity drop I work quick. I spirtz the eggs and lay my wash cloth over them add water and quickly put them back. It had to do it this am. I try to make sure the water I replenish is not hot but warm.

I have lost the plugs to my incubators lol.. seriously, I don't use them at all, they are in a baggie in a drawer with other useless items

As far as opening the incubator the last three days, for anyone new to hatching I would agree, leave them alone... Some of us that have done many hatches know when to open and when to stand back.. I personally will candle twice a day during lockdown until I have an internal pip.. Mind you, my humidity never drops below 50% and is back in the high 60's in less that 5 min.. My last hatch was the best I have had with Turkeys, 95% and I candled clear up until one piped while I was candling

 

[kmartinez]

I have 11 out and 3 are zipping now
Looks like a 100 percent hatch so far
I don't think the 3 left will quit they r so close.

 

[FlyingGarlic]

WOW!

 

[FlyingGarlic]

Thank you everyone! Less stressed about the whole procedure!