Turning eggs

[rainee63]

I took the auto turner out of my mini incubator, planning on turning them myself, but now I have questions! I read something about turning angles that has me worried. Is the turning angle super - important? What if my angle is wrong? And must they be turned at night? I didn't think about that last night. But I think they'll be OK cuz it was only day 1. Any insight would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I don't think turning angle is extremely important. If you think about it, a hen just turns, she doesn't know the angle. She does however turn them around the clock and more frequently the first week of incubation. 3 or 4 times a day is sufficient but the more the better.
Why did you take the turner out?
Hand turning gets old pretty fast.

 

[rainee63]

I took it out cuz with it I can only hatch 7 eggs. Without it I can fit 2 more. I broke down and bought some lavender orpington eggs, and they were sold by the dz. But the seller agreed to sell 9. And I also thought that it wouldn't be that big a deal turning them, since I've watched my hens with their eggs and it didn't seem that hard. Then I read this article about turning angles and degrees and which angle lead to a greater instance of malformation.... And it kinda freaked me out!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I know the importance of turning but when turning by hand, I sometimes slack off.
I need to get my automatic incubators going again. I have a few new parts to install and have been using an LG without a turner. I swear to never use it again.

 

[rainee63]

It hasn't been that bad for me. I have my incubator on my kitchen island so I see it alot. And I guess I like to fiddle with them. Course it's only been 3 days. Lol.

 

[AlleysChicks]

I hand turned my first round. Had more than a dozen eggs. I was turning before work and several times afterwards. It really wore me down as I’m always on the go and was planning my day around having time to turn.

 

[rainee63]

I've been a stay at home grandma since January, so things have slowed down alot! My 11 month old gbaby still wakes up twice at night for bottles, so it all works out. I put a big note on the incubator that says "turn me!" idk... I've watched the motion of my auto-turner and it doesn't seem to move them much. So I'm gonna try this for now. I may be putting that turner back in for the next round. Or just getting a bigger incubator!

 

[Albertthepekin]

Does anyone know if I turn at all on day 21?

 

[WVduckchick]

Does anyone know if I turn at all on day 21?

If you mean chicken eggs, they shouldn't be turned after day 18.

 

[chickens really]

I turn eggs 3 times a day..I mark an X on one side and turn them over three times daily..