To use the incubater turner or hand?

[Qualara]

Hey guys, I JUST got my little quail eggs and they are just sitting to get up to room temperature. Now the lady told me to hand turn the eggs, but I've heard it's bad to keep opening the incubator, and you might get bacteria on the eggs. So what should I do? Hand roll the eggs or use the automatic egg turner? Also how long should I set them before I put them in? They aren't cold, they feel the same temperature as my hands.

This is my incubator.

 

[kuchchicks]

I have done 3 sets of quail this year. I used the auto turner for ease sake. I got 100% hatch rate on all 3 sets. There are people who like to hand turn. I think it's personal preference. If you hand turn just wash your hands before you start each time. Remember it's not the opening of the Bator that's bad. Mom gets off the nest every day. Some bators are now made to cool down on occasion. Good hand hygiene and you should be fine. Not sure why using an auto turner would be bad if she tried to tell you not to use one?

 

[Qualara]

I have done 3 sets of quail this year. I used the auto turner for ease sake. I got 100% hatch rate on all 3 sets. There are people who like to hand turn. I think it's personal preference. If you hand turn just wash your hands before you start each time. Remember it's not the opening of the Bator that's bad. Mom gets off the nest every day. Some bators are now made to cool down on occasion. Good hand hygiene and you should be fine. Not sure why using an auto turner would be bad if she tried to tell you not to use one?

She says that the turner does not turn the eggs well enough, you know they are kept at a 45 degree angle, instead of laying on their side like she suggested. But then I read that you should keep them at a 45 degree angle if they are shipped, and they are shipped.

 

[FarmerMac]

I use a similar incubator for hatching, the egg turner works fine. I remove it at lockdown. One thing to watch is the temp and humidity. Don't trust the readings on the incubator's digital display unless you calibrate them. My first hatch was terrible using the readings from the incubator. Now I use a couple of thermometers and higrometera inside the bator. Good luck with your hatching