That's a good question. I had an automatic turner with my first LG. It lasted only one hatch and I hated it anyway. I've been hand turning ever since. I turn when I get up in the morning, again at noon, then dinner, and then before I go to bed. Never a real set time but close. I'm very very careful while handling and rotate the eggs around the inside of the bator when I turn. When I candle, I only do half the eggs at a time keeping the other half in the closed bator. I'm really convinced the way I collect, store, and handle the eggs is key too. I set the freshest and cleanest eggs I can. I rarely to never set eggs older than seven days. My bad hatches were usually from eggs that came long distances and I have no idea how old they were to start with.
I love your new silkies Justine. They are so pretty and sweet. Trav's new Blue is so pretty too. I have such a soft spot in my heart for these birds.
Tonight I was in the pea patch and the flock was dogging my steps. I sat outside and shelled peas and threw them to everybody. It took a while for most of the birds to catch on I was giving them goodies. Then it was a free for all! The turkeys wouldn't eat the peas but fought over the shells. The Silkies had a hard time finding the peas but those Catdance cockerels that could see well took most of them. The HRIR decided peas were ok but acted like I was holding out on them and were reluctant to eat many until they saw the layers grabbing them. Chickens teach each other by example I guess. My husband is growing very fond of the turkeys. He gave them sweet cherries tonight and they loved those. I overheard him talking to them when he didn't think I was listening. He's an old softie.
