turning eggs?

[sweeterdeeter42]

Can somebody walk me through turning eggs please? I dont think I quite get it.

 

[paddock36]

I mark my eggs with an X on one side and an O on the other. I also put an arrow to remind me of which way I need to turn them next time. Basically you are turning them 180 degrees to the right and then back 180 degrees to the left. Never a complete 360.

 

[Crayonsmom]

Whay never a complete 360?

I'm an incubation newbie and nothing/nobody has ever told me that. I hope I didn't kill my eggs... But they seem fine so far. Should I add arrows?

Sorry for the mini hi-jack.

 

[paddock36]

I put the arrows on mine because I would forget which way I turned them last. So it just made it easier for me. There is something inside the egg that will get twisted (from what I read) if they get turned a complete 360. How a hen doesn't mess up I'll never know, but that's what I have read and so thats what I pass on. I guess thats also why automatic egg turners don't turn them 360 either.

 

[Crayonsmom]

In that case I better draw some arrows before I get too far into the incubation!

Another thing to add for the OP, you should turn your eggs 2-3 times a day. I turn mine in the morning before work/school, when I get home at 2pm, and before I go to bed.

 

[Tuffoldhen]

When hand turning I always put X and Os on mine. in pencil I always turn from right to left but sometimes forget it's never hurt my hatches. I try to hand turn 3 times a day, morning around 8, 2 or 3 pm and right before bedtime at 11pm.