Is this too tight?... and other beginner questions.

[valper]

Beginner hopeful hatcher here!
I borrowed a machine from a friend and will try to incubate for the first time. Does it look too crammed in here?
I figured a little space might clear up if some eggs don't develop properly but in the case that all goes well, is this enough space?

Also, I'm a bit confused with the turning of the eggs. I have marked them with "X" and "O" on opposite sides. Should they be turned 4 times a day 1/4 of the way around (X to O) or "X-O-X-O" (180° every time)?

Thanks!

 

[MGG]

Beginner hopeful hatcher here!
I borrowed a machine from a friend and will try to incubate for the first time. Does it look too crammed in here?
I figured a little space might clear up if some eggs don't develop properly but in the case that all goes well, is this enough space?

Also, I'm a bit confused with the turning of the eggs. I have marked them with "X" and "O" on opposite sides. Should they be turned 4 times a day 1/4 of the way around (X to O) or "X-O-X-O" (180° every time)?

Thanks!

View attachment 3002639

That should be fine! I've absolutely packed my incubator before and it never affects the hatch rate. Only turn an odd number of times each day, so they didn't sit on the same side every night.
I like to turn 5 times a day for the first week, then 3 times and day for the remaining incubation period.
Turn from X to O one time, then from O to X the next time, etc.

Did you calibrate an additional thermometer to keep in the incubator during incubation? The built in thermometers in incubators are almost never right. Most people don't calibrate an additional one to rely on, and if the temp is off even just a fraction of a degree, it could drastically reduce your hatch rate.

 

[BirdsBeesTrees]

I only hand turn my eggs twice a day and have excellent hatch rates. I turn them every 12 hours.
So if you can turn them at least twice a day and more if you are able.

 

[BrandonsBirbs]

Does it look too crammed in here?

Nope, perfectly fine.

I figured a little space might clear up if some eggs don't develop properly but in the case that all goes well, is this enough space?

Good plan!

Should they be turned 4 times a day 1/4 of the way around (X to O) or "X-O-X-O" (180° every time)?

180° every time, from X to O. Don't need to do it four times a day, 2 or 3 is plenty IMO. But no harm in doing it 4 times so long as you stop for lockdown

 

[valper]

That should be fine! I've absolutely packed my incubator before and it never affects the hatch rate. Only turn an odd number of times each day, so they didn't sit on the same side every night.
I like to turn 5 times a day for the first week, then 3 times and day for the remaining incubation period.
Turn from X to O one time, then from O to X the next time, etc.

Did you calibrate an additional thermometer to keep in the incubator during incubation? The built in thermometers in incubators are almost never right. Most people don't calibrate an additional one to rely on, and if the temp is off even just a fraction of a degree, it could drastically reduce your hatch rate.

Great, thanks!

I do have an extra thermometer/hygrometer in there since this machine is very, very basic but I can't speak for its accuracy. The machine came with a thermometer that should reach a 100°F line. If I do this, the digital thermometer reads 40.5°C which seems too high... So, not so sure which to follow, tbh.

 

[valper]

Nope, perfectly fine.

Good plan!

180° every time, from X to O. Don't need to do it four times a day, 2 or 3 is plenty IMO. But no harm in doing it 4 times so long as you stop for lockdown

Awesome, thanks!

 

[MGG]

Great, thanks!

I do have an extra thermometer/hygrometer in there since this machine is very, very basic but I can't speak for its accuracy. The machine came with a thermometer that should reach a 100°F line. If I do this, the digital thermometer reads 40.5°C which seems too high... So, not so sure which to follow, tbh.

The thermometer is probably off too.
That's why it's so important to calibrate it. Fill a glass or mug with crushed ice, about 3/4 of the way. Then fill it the rest of the way with cold water. Put your thermometer in a sandwich bag, squeeze all of the air out, and seal it. Then submerge it in the water. Do this while holding it over the sink, because you'll probably lose some water.
Leave it in for about 10-15 minutes and check it. It should read 32 fahrenheit. If it doesn't, leave it a bit longer. If it still doesn't, dump the water out, fill it back up, and try again. If it still doesn't reach 32, just account for how off it is. I like to write it right on the thermometer, like "off two degrees", etc.