How to Turn Eggs in an Incubator for the Best Hatch Rates?

That sounds interesting! Do you notice a significant difference in hatching success compared to manual turning?

It’s important to handle the eggs gently while turning them too. I’ve seen eggs get cracked from rough handling.

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The temperature and humidity also play a key role. Make sure your incubator is properly calibrated!

Absolutely! I learned this the hard way. Hatching eggs requires quite a bit of finesse.

I’ve also seen some people advocating for only turning eggs during certain stages of incubation. Any thoughts on that?

That’s interesting, Kimberly. I stick to turning throughout the entire incubation. Seems to be the safest bet for optimal hatching.

I like to joke that it’s like a workout for the eggs! Just don’t drop them while offering that ‘spin class.’

Monitoring temperature and humidity is crucial for successful incubation. Keep the incubator at a steady temperature around 99.5°F. Variations can lead to poor hatch rates.

I totally agree! I also recommend using an incubator with a digital display for precise readings.

I’ve found that turning the eggs at least three times a day helps. Just be gentle and return them to the same position each time.

That’s great advice! Consistency is key, especially during the critical first few weeks.

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Remember to let the incubator stabilize before opening it to avoid drastic temperature and humidity changes.

Exactly! Opening it too often can really stress the eggs and affect hatch rates.

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Also, consider using a hygrometer to track humidity levels accurately, especially in dry conditions.

Great tip! I’ve seen fluctuations make a big difference in outcomes.

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In my experience, humidity should be around 40-50% for the first 18 days and then increased for hatching. Anyone else have similar findings?

Yes! I’ve done that too. Just remember, each breed might have a slight variation in needs.

What do you all think about using an egg turner? Is it worth the investment, or can we stick to manual turning?

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I prefer manual turning for better control and observation! But it really depends on personal preference and resources.

It’s funny how we put so much effort into these eggs! They really are like little bundles of potential.