Egg turning in incubators

Eggs need to be turned in an incubator for several reasons.

One of the most important is that turning the eggs helps to ensure proper development of the embryo inside.

When an egg is laid, the yolk and the albumen (white) are in a relatively stationary position within the egg. As the egg is incubated, the yolk and albumen begin to move and settle into different positions within the egg. This movement is caused by the slight differences in temperature and humidity within the egg as it incubates.

If eggs are not turned, the yolk and albumen will not move and settle properly, leading to mispositioned embryos. This can cause developmental problems and even death of the embryo. Additionally, when eggs are not turned, the air cell at the top of the egg can become too large, which can also lead to developmental problems and death of the embryo.

Turning the eggs regularly helps to redistribute the yolk and albumen, which in turn helps to ensure proper development of the embryo. This is done automatically using compressed air on our turning cylinder on the egg turning system. By turning the eggs, the yolk and albumen are moved and settled into their proper positions, which helps to promote healthy development of the embryo.

Another reason why eggs need to be turned in an incubator is to prevent the formation of a “sticky” membrane on the surface of the egg. The eggshell is porous, and as the egg incubates, moisture and gases are exchanged through the shell. If the egg is not turned, the moisture and gases can become trapped on one side of the egg, leading to the formation of a sticky membrane on the surface of the egg. This sticky membrane can cause problems with hatching, as it can make it difficult for the chick to break through the shell and hatch. If the eggs are not turned, the fluid can become trapped on one side of the egg, which can cause the embryo to stick to the shell.

Turning the eggs should ideally be 45° to the left and 45° to the right with a horizontal pause. However, research shows that a total turning angle left to right of 74° suffices to ensure proper embryo development. Eggs can be turned every hour, with a minimum of 6 times a day.

Another reason why eggs have to be turned is to ensure proper gas exchange. As the embryo develops, it produces carbon dioxide, which needs to be removed from the egg in order to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. By turning the eggs, the air sac in the egg is moved to different positions, allowing for better gas exchange and a reduction in the growth of bacteria.

In summary, eggs need to be turned in an incubator to ensure proper development of the embryo, prevent mispositioned embryos, prevent the formation of a sticky membrane, and keep the embryos from sticking to the shell. It is important to turn the eggs regularly and to use an automated egg turning system to ensure that the eggs are turned properly. Failure to turn the eggs can lead to developmental problems and death of the embryo, as well as problems with hatching.