Is it too late to begin turning eggs?

[squat]

We just realized that the tray in our incubator was upside down, so the automatic turner has not been turning the eggs properly, if at all. We don't know for sure. They have been incubating for 13 days. With 8 days left before hatching, are there likely to be problems? If so what might we do to prepare? We candled the eggs on day 12 and they all look good.

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

Not turning eggs could cause chicks to deformed when they hatch. I say could as this is just maybe a possibility. Eggs need to be turned during incubation so the developing embryo develops all its parts correctly and the nutrients in the egg are spread through the egg. Also not turning can cause the embryo to become to stuck to the membrane inside the egg. I would start turning as soon you can and hope they will be ok. But be prepared for possible deformities in chicks.

Here is a great article on incubation problems and some possible problems from not being turned.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/egg-failure-to-hatch-diagnosing-incubation-problems

Good luck I hope your chicks hatch ok for you

 

[squat]

Thank you for your reply and the link. It was very helpful and informative. We corrected the problem with the incubator rack as soon as we noticed it, but that was on day 13, so I expect we will have some hatching problems. The eggs are turning properly now and the incubator turns them every 45 min. We will keep our fingers crossed and hope for the best! We didn't invest a lot of money in the fertile eggs, but I still hate to see the chicks suffer and/or die while hatching! Next time around I'll be more careful to make sure the rack is inserted properly and watch that the eggs are actually turning!