If you have ever set an alarm for 2 a.m. to flip eggs by hand, you already know the answer in your gut. But before you spend money on an automatic egg turner, it helps to know what it does, whether it is worth it for your setup, and how the IncuTurn™ compares with hand turning and other turner options for HovaBator incubators.
Quick Answer: Do You Need an Automatic Egg Turner?
Yes, most hatchers benefit from an automatic egg turner. Eggs must be turned several times a day for most of incubation so the embryo does not stick to the shell membrane, and missed turns, especially overnight, are a common cause of preventable hatch failure. The IncuTurn™ automatic egg turner is made for current HovaBator incubators, rolls eggs gently six times a day, and holds 42 chicken, 70 quail, or 28 goose eggs in one universal tray.
| IncuTurn™ at a glance | Detail |
|---|---|
| Fits | All current HovaBator incubators (not older square-style models) |
| Capacity (universal tray) | 42 chicken, 70 quail, or 28 goose eggs |
| Turning | 6 gentle rolls a day, with eggs resting on their sides |
| Optional quail tray | Raises quail capacity from 70 to 116 eggs |
| Included | Motor mount assembly and universal egg tray |
| Also included in | HovaBator Genesis 1588 and HovaBator 2370 starter kits |
| Warranty | 2-Year IncuCare Warranty |
On this page:
- What Is the IncuTurn™ Automatic Egg Turner?
- Why Eggs Need to Be Turned
- Automatic Egg Turner vs Hand Turning
- Does an Automatic Egg Turner Improve Hatch Rates?
- IncuTurn™ Key Specs
- Installing and Setting Up the IncuTurn™
- Limitations to Know Before You Buy
- IncuTurn™ vs Other Egg Turner Options
- Universal Tray or Quail Tray?
- When to Stop Turning and Remove the Turner
- Who Actually Needs an Automatic Egg Turner?
- Troubleshooting Common IncuTurn™ Issues
- Is the IncuTurn™ Worth It?
- FAQs
- Sources
What Is the IncuTurn™ Automatic Egg Turner?
An automatic egg turner is a device that rolls or tilts eggs inside an incubator on a set schedule, so you do not have to open the lid and turn them by hand. It is one of the most common upgrades for anyone hatching chicken, quail, duck, or goose eggs at home.
The IncuTurn™ Automatic Egg Turner is Incubator Warehouse's turner for HovaBator incubators. Instead of buying a separate set of racks for each egg size, you use one universal tray that rolls eggs gently six times a day, similar to how a hen shifts eggs in a nest. It holds up to 42 chicken eggs, 70 quail eggs, or 28 goose eggs, and the same tray holds duck eggs, at roughly 28.
Why Eggs Need to Be Turned
Inside a fertile egg, the yolk floats in the egg white. Left in one position too long, the yolk drifts upward, and the developing embryo can stick to the inner shell membrane. Sticking is a leading cause of early embryo death in home incubation.
Turning keeps the embryo centered and helps it take in nutrients evenly. University extension guidance says eggs should be turned at least four to six times a day during incubation, and not turned during the last three days before hatching, when the embryos move into hatching position. Many hobby guides list a minimum of three turns a day, and use an odd number so eggs rest on alternating sides overnight.
The mechanics are simple. Doing it consistently, for weeks, without missing a stretch, is the hard part, and that is the gap an automatic turner closes. For more on the basics, see our egg turning guide.
Automatic Egg Turner vs Hand Turning
| Factor | Hand turning | Automatic turner (IncuTurn™) |
|---|---|---|
| Turns per day | Whatever you manage, often 3 to 5 | 6, on a fixed schedule |
| Overnight turning | Rarely happens | Continues automatically |
| Risk of missed turns | High if you travel, work long hours, or forget | Much lower |
| Incubator disruption | The lid opens each time, so temperature and humidity dip | No lid opening needed |
| Hands-on time | A few minutes, several times a day, for weeks | A few minutes at setup |
| Upfront cost | $0 | One-time cost for the turner |
| Best for | Small batches, hobbyists home most of the day | Anyone who works, travels, or hatches often |
Every time you lift the lid to turn eggs by hand, temperature and humidity dip and take time to recover. An automatic turner avoids that entirely, which is why hatchers who switch often see steadier conditions, especially overnight, when hand-turning gaps tend to be longest. For a deeper comparison, read our automatic egg turner vs manual turning guide.
Does an Automatic Egg Turner Improve Hatch Rates?
Consistent turning, not the turning method, is what drives hatch outcomes. Missed or irregular turns are a common, preventable cause of failed hatches. An automatic turner does not guarantee a better hatch than an attentive hand-turner. What it does is remove the biggest variable: human error and inconsistency.
If your hand-turning routine already hits four to six turns a day without gaps, a turner mainly buys back your time. If your routine realistically misses turns overnight, on workdays, or while traveling, a turner tends to close that gap and supports more consistent results across a hatch.
IncuTurn™ Key Specs
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Compatibility | All current HovaBator models (excludes older square-style models) |
| Egg capacity | 42 chicken, 70 quail, or 28 goose eggs (universal tray); about 28 duck eggs |
| Turning frequency | 6 rolls per day |
| Egg position | Side-laying, mimicking a natural nest |
| Included | Motor mount assembly and universal egg tray |
| Not included | The incubator (sold separately) |
| Price | $53.99 (as listed in November 2026) |
| Warranty | 2-Year IncuCare Warranty |
| Optional add-on | Quail tray, which raises quail capacity from 70 to 116 eggs |
Buying a new HovaBator? The IncuTurn™ comes bundled in the HovaBator Genesis 1588 starter kit and the HovaBator 2370 starter combo kit. Not sure which to pick? See our HovaBator 2370 vs Genesis 1588 comparison.
Installing and Setting Up the IncuTurn™
Setup is designed to be simple: slide the motor clip over the edge of the incubator and attach the turning tray. Follow these steps, and check the product instructions for your exact model.
- Attach the motor: slide the motor clip over the edge of your HovaBator incubator and make sure it sits evenly.
- Secure the egg tray: connect the universal tray to the motor assembly so it sits flush and level.
- Load your eggs: place eggs with the larger end up (pointed end down), spaced so they can roll freely without bumping the tray walls, and do not exceed the tray's rated capacity.
- Plug it in: the turner starts its automatic six-turns-a-day cycle with no manual scheduling.
- Remove it before lockdown: take the turner out and lay the eggs flat for hatching, at the day shown in the table below.
Run your incubator without eggs for 24 hours first, so you can confirm temperature, humidity, and that the tray rolls smoothly. Between hatches, remove the tray from the motor assembly and clean it as part of your routine, following our incubator cleaning and maintenance guide.
Limitations to Know Before You Buy
No egg turner is perfect for every setup. A few limits worth knowing:
- HovaBator-only: the IncuTurn™ is designed for HovaBator incubators and will not fit Little Giant or other brands. Little Giant owners should look at the Little Giant 6300 turner.
- Older models are not supported: the IncuTurn™ does not fit older, square-style HovaBator incubators.
- Quail capacity is limited with the universal tray: 70 quail eggs is plenty for most hobbyists, but larger quail batches call for the quail tray upgrade, which reaches 116.
- You must remove it before lockdown: turning must stop three days before hatch, so remove the turner at the right day for your species.
- Check voltage outside the US: confirm the right power setup for your region on the product page before ordering.
None of these are dealbreakers for the intended use, which is a current-style HovaBator owner who wants to stop turning eggs by hand.
IncuTurn™ vs Other Egg Turner Options
If you are shopping for an automatic egg turner for a HovaBator incubator, here are the main options from Incubator Warehouse:
| Turner | Fits | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| IncuTurn™ Automatic Egg Turner | Current HovaBator incubators | One universal tray for chicken, quail, duck, and goose eggs; optional quail tray |
| HovaBator egg turner with 6 universal egg racks | HovaBator incubators | Rack-based turner; a version with quail racks is also available |
| Little Giant 6300 turner | Little Giant incubators | Dedicated turner for Little Giant; not interchangeable with the IncuTurn™ tray |
A few quick rules of thumb:
- Already own a current HovaBator? The IncuTurn™ is purpose-built for it. You are buying the turner, not a new incubator.
- Hatching quail in volume? Add the Quail Egg Tray for IncuTurn™ to reach 116 quail eggs.
- Turner motor stopped working? A replacement egg turner motor fits IncuTurn-compatible setups, so a failed motor does not always mean replacing the whole turner. Other parts, such as the motor arm and bridge pin and the turning tray, are sold separately in the IncuTurn™ parts collection.
- Building a custom or DIY incubator? The Motor with Mount for the IncuTurn™ lets you add IncuTurn turning to a non-standard build.
Compare more options in our egg turners collection, or see which incubators come with a turner in our best egg incubators with an automatic turner.
Universal Tray or Quail Tray?
| Feature | Universal tray (included) | Quail tray (optional) |
|---|---|---|
| Quail eggs | 70 | Up to 116 |
| Chicken eggs | 42 | Not designed for chicken eggs |
| Goose eggs | 28 | Not applicable |
If you hatch several egg sizes, stick with the universal tray. If you hatch only quail, the quail tray gives you more capacity and a snugger fit. Our egg turner for quail eggs guide walks through the choice in detail.
When to Stop Turning and Remove the Turner
Remove the turner and lay eggs flat about three days before hatch, so chicks can settle into hatching position. A turner left running during lockdown can disturb chicks as they pip. Use these as a guide, and check your species chart for others:
| Egg type | Incubation period | Stop turning and remove the turner |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken | 21 days | Day 18 |
| Coturnix quail | 17 to 18 days | Day 14 (to 15) |
| Duck | 28 days | Day 25 |
For quail details, see our quail egg incubation guide, and for other species use our egg incubator temperature chart.
Who Actually Needs an Automatic Egg Turner?
You will likely benefit from an automatic egg turner if you:
- Work outside the home or travel during incubation
- Need overnight turning covered, since turns matter at 2 a.m. too
- Hatch regularly and do not want to plan your day around egg turns
- Run larger batches where repeated lid-opening risks temperature and humidity swings
- Have had inconsistent hatches with hand turning and suspect missed turns
Hand turning may still work fine if you:
- Hatch a small batch as a hobby project
- Are home consistently and can keep a strict, multi-times-daily schedule
- Hatch with kids or students, where manual turning is part of the learning
Troubleshooting Common IncuTurn™ Issues
| Problem | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Tray is not rolling eggs evenly | Overloaded tray, or eggs loaded wrongly | Stay within the rated capacity (42 chicken, 70 quail, 28 goose), load eggs larger end up, and give each egg room to roll |
| Motor stopped turning | Power issue, a loose motor clip, or a failed motor | Check power and the clip first. If the motor has failed, fit a replacement motor |
| Need more quail capacity | Universal tray holds 70 quail eggs | Add the quail tray for up to 116 |
| Worn or broken small parts | Normal wear over several hatches | Order the motor arm and bridge pin or the turning tray |
| Will it fit my older HovaBator? | The IncuTurn™ does not fit older square-style models | Check your model, or see the rack-based HovaBator egg turner |
If hatches are still disappointing, see why hatch rates drop.
Is the IncuTurn™ Worth It?
For anyone hatching more than a one-off batch on a current HovaBator, yes: an automatic egg turner pays for itself in less stress and steadier incubation. The real question is not automatic versus manual in the abstract. It is whether you can reliably turn eggs several times a day, every day, for weeks, without missing a stretch overnight or during a busy week. Most people cannot, and that is the gap the IncuTurn™ closes.
If you already run a current HovaBator, it is one of the simplest upgrades you can make. Check compatibility with your model, then browse the full egg turner lineup to pick the turner, quail tray, or replacement motor for your setup.
FAQs (People Also Ask)
Q: Do I really need an automatic egg turner, or can I turn eggs by hand?
Ans: You can hand-turn successfully, but it takes discipline: several turns a day, including overnight, for most of incubation. Most missed-turn hatch problems happen when a schedule slips, which is the main reason automatic turners are worth it for regular hatchers.
Q: How many times a day does the IncuTurn™ turn eggs?
Ans: Six times a day on a fixed automatic cycle, with no manual scheduling.
Q: How many eggs does the IncuTurn™ hold?
Ans: The universal tray holds 42 chicken, 70 quail, or 28 goose eggs, and about 28 duck eggs. The optional quail tray raises quail capacity to 116.
Q: Which incubators does the IncuTurn™ fit?
Ans: All current HovaBator incubators, including the Genesis 1588 and the 2370. It does not fit older square-style HovaBator models, and it does not fit Little Giant or other brands.
Q: Is the IncuTurn™ compatible with Little Giant incubators?
Ans: No. The IncuTurn™ is built for HovaBator incubators. Little Giant incubators use their own turner, such as the Little Giant 6300.
Q: Can the IncuTurn™ handle different egg sizes?
Ans: Yes. One universal tray handles chicken, quail, duck, and goose eggs, so you do not need to buy separate racks for each size.
Q: Can you use an automatic egg turner during lockdown?
Ans: No. Remove the turner about three days before hatch and lay the eggs flat. For chicken eggs, that is day 18; for Coturnix quail, day 14; and for duck eggs, day 25.
Q: Is the IncuTurn™ worth it for beginners?
Ans: Yes, for current HovaBator owners. Setup is straightforward, and it removes a common beginner mistake: inconsistent or missed turns.
Q: How much does the IncuTurn™ cost?
Ans: The IncuTurn™ is listed at $53.99 as of November 2026. It also comes bundled in the HovaBator Genesis 1588 and HovaBator 2370 starter kits.
Q: What if my IncuTurn™ motor stops working?
Ans: Check the power connection and motor clip first. If the motor has failed, a compatible replacement motor is sold separately, so you do not need to replace the whole turner and tray.
Q: How long does the IncuTurn™ motor last?
Ans: It is covered by the 2-Year IncuCare Warranty and is built for repeated daily use across hatch cycles. If a motor wears out, you can replace it on its own.
Q: How many times should eggs be turned per day?
Ans: At least three times a day, and university extension guidance suggests four to six, up until about three days before hatch. An automatic turner handles this for you.
Sources
- Mississippi State University Extension. Important incubation factors.
- University of Maryland Extension. Hatching Eggs at Home (FS-1114).