Introduction: Why Egg Turning Is More Critical Than You Think
Successful poultry hatching is not just about temperature and humidity—egg turning plays a vital but often underestimated role. Turning the eggs isn’t simply about “routine”; it mimics the natural behavior of a brooding hen and ensures proper embryonic development. When done incorrectly or inconsistently, turning can delay hatch time, cause deformities, or even kill developing embryos.
In this guide, we’ll dig deeper into how incorrect turning impacts hatch success. We’ll explore how frequently eggs should be turned, the biological necessity of this process, common mistakes that farmers unknowingly make, and how to prevent them using affordable, modern solutions.
1. Understanding the Science of Egg Turning
Embryos inside an egg are suspended in albumen (egg white) in the early stages. If an egg is left stationary, the embryo can stick to the shell membrane, causing fatal development issues. Proper turning keeps the embryo centered, ensures even heat distribution, and facilitates effective nutrient absorption.
Key Biological Reasons for Turning:
- Prevents adhesion of the embryo to membranes
- Promotes even growth of blood vessels
- Ensures correct orientation for internal pipping
- Prepares the chick for proper rotation during hatch
2. What Happens When Turning Is Missed or Done Incorrectly?
Incorrect turning doesn’t just slow down hatch time—it alters embryo development entirely.
Common Problems Caused by Improper Turning:
- Delayed Hatch Times: Embryos fail to rotate or position properly for pipping.
- Malpositions: Chicks are not in the optimal "head under wing" position.
- Unabsorbed yolk sacs: Especially if turning stops too early before lockdown.
- Weak or crippled chicks: Due to uneven growth and muscle development.
- Higher mortality: Especially in the 2nd week of incubation, when critical changes occur.
3. Most Overlooked Turning Mistakes Poultry Farmers Make
Even well-meaning poultry keepers and hatchery managers make errors in their incubation process. Here are the most commonly overlooked issues:
a. Inconsistent Turning Schedules
Eggs should be turned at least 3–5 times daily, ideally an odd number of times, to prevent the embryo from resting too long on one side.
b. Stopping Turning Too Early
Many farmers stop turning on day 16 instead of day 18, not realizing it impacts the chick's positioning for hatching.
c. Turning Angle Too Shallow
Turning at only 45° isn’t enough. The ideal angle is between 90° to 120°, mimicking how a hen rolls her eggs.
d. Manual Turning Without Monitoring
Missing turns due to human error is common in manual systems. Automation or logbooks can help maintain consistency.
e. Overheating During Turning
Opening the incubator too often during turning may cause temperature fluctuations, affecting hatch time.
4. How Incorrect Turning Delays Hatch Time
Hatch time is highly synchronized. Most chicks begin hatching on day 21 under optimal conditions. Incorrect turning disturbs embryonic development phases, especially:
- Day 7–14: Organ development accelerates—uneven heat and poor turning stall growth.
- Day 18–21: Internal pipping requires correct positioning—poorly turned chicks often get stuck or die before hatching.
Result? Chicks may hatch on day 22, 23 or later—if at all.
5. How to Know If Late Hatch Is Caused by Turning Errors
Sometimes, farmers blame low hatch rates on fertility or humidity issues, when in fact, turning is the culprit.
Signs Turning Was Improper:
- Many chicks hatch late, weak, or malformed
- Unabsorbed yolks in dead-in-shell chicks
- Malpositioned embryos (e.g., beak away from air cell)
- Blood rings during candling (sign of early death from improper rotation)
6. The Role of Automatic Egg Turners: Are They Worth It?
Automatic turners rotate eggs consistently and at the correct angle, reducing human error. For small-scale farmers, they may seem like a luxury, but the return on investment in terms of hatch rate makes them worthwhile.
Benefits:
- Consistent turning intervals
- Correct turning angle
- Labor-saving
- Improved hatch rates over time
Choose turners compatible with your incubator’s size, and ensure they are functional throughout the incubation period.
7. When to Stop Turning: Timing the ‘Lockdown’ Phase
Egg turning must stop at Day 18, right before the chick begins to position itself for internal pipping. Continuing turning after this phase can cause the chick to misalign and fail to hatch properly.
Lockdown Checklist:
- Stop turning on Day 18
- Increase humidity to 65–75%
- Ensure stable temperature
- Do not open the incubator unless necessary
8. Case Study: How One Farmer Fixed Delayed Hatching by Fixing Turning Routine
A poultry farmer in Nigeria experienced consistent hatch delays (22–23 days) and high malposition rates. After consulting with a poultry expert, the cause was traced back to inconsistent manual turning—sometimes only twice daily and not at the correct angle.
Switching to an automatic turner, adjusting angle, and using alarms for Day 18 lockdown improved hatch rate from 58% to 87% in just two cycles.
9. Troubleshooting: How to Fix Problems Mid-Incubation
Caught turning errors late in incubation? Here’s how to mitigate damage:
- Increase vigilance: candle eggs for blood vessels and growth.
- Adjust turning angle manually and document every turn.
- Ensure you stop at Day 18 even if behind schedule.
- Prepare for assisting late hatchers (only when necessary).
10. Conclusion: Why Turning Must Be Taken as Seriously as Temperature and Humidity
Incorrect turning is a silent killer in hatcheries. It doesn’t make noise or cause dramatic changes, but it chips away at your hatch success subtly and powerfully. Whether you're a small backyard keeper or large-scale poultry farmer, optimizing this one factor could mean the difference between 50% and 90% hatch success.
Invest in automatic turners, use timers or alarms for manual systems, and never overlook the importance of a consistent turning routine. Your future flock depends on it.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What happens if I don’t turn eggs during incubation?
Embryos may stick to the shell membrane, leading to death or deformities. It also causes uneven heat distribution and delayed hatch.
2. When should I stop turning eggs during incubation?
Stop turning on Day 18 (for chickens) to allow chicks to position for hatching. This phase is called the “lockdown” phase.
3. How often should eggs be turned daily?
Turn at least 3–5 times per day. More frequent, consistent turning improves embryo health and hatch rates.
4. Can late hatch times be caused by bad turning practices?
Yes. Improper turning delays development and often leads to hatching beyond day 21 or failed hatching.
5. Are automatic egg turners better than manual turning?
Yes. Automatic turners ensure consistency, correct angles, and reduce human error—leading to higher hatch success.