Turning tray for peahen eggs

[ChickyChickymamma]

I am incubating shipped peahen eggs for the first time today and I am wondering if I should use the automatic turning tray. I've read that it's sometimes a better idea to hand turn these eggs.

 

[KsKingBee]

The great debate. Most people will agree that you need to let the eggs rest for a day or two before setting them in the incubator so the air sack can reattach. I set all of mine point down in trays after trying every method but you will hear all kinds of theories. All you can do is what you feel is right but using shipped eggs you won't really know if one way is better than the other because the hatch rate on shipped pea eggs is usually dismal.

 

[BirdsBeesTrees]

I lay mine on their side and hand turn, after I incubate upright in a carton for 4-5 days to settle the air cells.
Like KsKingBee said a lot of ideas on this.
I had 100% hatch rate, however I would need to incubate more Peahen eggs to see if the rate would hold.

 

[KsKingBee]

I lay mine on their side and hand turn, after I incubate upright in a carton for 4-5 days to settle the air cells.
Like KsKingBee said a lot of ideas on this.
I had 100% hatch rate, however I would need to incubate more Peahen eggs to see if the rate would hold.

I will guarantee you that a 100% hatch rate for peas is not normal unless you are only counting the chicks that hatch.

 

[BirdsBeesTrees]

I will guarantee you that a 100% hatch rate for peas is not normal unless you are only counting the chicks that hatch.

I bought 6 shipped eggs all six hatched. I took 4 eggs from my Peahen they all 4 hatched.
I left her with 7 eggs she hatched all 7.
I understand what you are saying but it worked that way for me. I had an India Blue Peahen 5 years ago she had 5 eggs and 4 hatched.

 

[BirdsBeesTrees]

Not every egg is fertile, not every embryo is viable.

 

[KsKingBee]

Not every egg is fertile, not every embryo is viable.

You have had very good luck! I hope it holds for you. I set between 800 and 1500 eggs every year and I do far, far worse than you.

 

[BirdsBeesTrees]

You have had very good luck! I hope it holds for you. I set between 800 and 1500 eggs every year and I do far, far worse than you.

I wondered something, I know you have an amazing huge operation; do you ever let your peas raise their own chicks? Just curious. People ask us that at our dairy if we let our cows raise calves and if course we don't.

 

[KsKingBee]

Usually, by July we are sick of hatching eggs so we let any hen that wants to brood have their chance to fulfill their natural role in life

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[BirdsBeesTrees]

@KsKingBee what is the brand and model of your incubators?