Turning eggs by hand.

[OkieChickenDad]

Quote:
I like this!!!

 

[Tala]

I only turn mine twice a day - due to work since I'm not home during the mid-day. I turn them first thing when I get up, and right before bed.
My hatches have been at least as good as the eggs that I incubated, so I see no reason to change

 

[Justuschicks]

I think it all comes down to how it is done in the nature. When the hen gets up to eat, drink, poo she leaves the eggs exposed to air. Fresh air is important to the incubation process so even when I install my egg turner I will still open the lid from time to time to inspect the eggs, candle them, and freshen the stale air. There is no need for a air tight seal on an incubator.

 

[Baralak]

Quote:
X2

I completely agree... I keep hearing "let the heat out"... Not trying to sound gruff, but if your incubator cannot recover from a 2 minute opening, then it needs to be re-engineered, or thrown away. If you have an automatic egg turner, then that is a good thing, but all we are doing with an incubator is acting like ole momma hen. They need air, and they need to be inspected, she does this every time she gets off the nest, when she comes back she turns the eggs, most of the time with her beak (though I have also watched it done with the feet) and she is checking them.

By hand or by automation.. The choice is yours as a personal preference or if you can afford one.

As for me I'm A Handy Dandy Manual Egg Flipper for a bakers dozen or a few more.

24- and up... GIVE ME A TURNER!

 

[enggass]

Baralak:
I see on your site under hatching you show a Brinsea Octagon 20 Eco. That is the incubator I am thinking of getting. What can you tell me about it?
Thanks,
Steve

 

[Kittymomma]

I turned 3x a day--first thing in the morning, as soon as I got home from work, and right before bed. The three hatches I did this way (my own eggs, not shipped) had 90% to 98% hatch rates.

 

[JustAChickenLittle&More]

I turn my eggs in the morning, then again about 6pm and then again about 10:30pm. It varies, but I try to get as close to those times as I can. I got a great hatch a week ago and theres more in the bator.

 

[bald egg]

I have seen the home made incubaters withe the outside tilting mechanism, like Gopher Boy's, and wanted advise on a turning schedule for this set up. Should one tilt 45 degrees right, then to center then 45 degrees left. Or 45 to 45? Or 45, right 22 1/2 right, center, 22 1/2 left, then 45 left, 22/12 left, center..... Am I making this too complicated? Please help.