Quick answer: Do you need an automatic egg turner? Most hatchers benefit from one. Eggs need regular turning from day 1 until lockdown, around day 18 for chicken eggs, so the yolk and embryo do not stick to the shell membrane. An automatic turner does this on a fixed schedule, day and night, which is where most missed-turn problems happen. The IncuTurn™ is built for current-style HovaBator incubators, rolls eggs six times a day, and handles chicken, quail, or goose eggs on one universal tray.
| IncuTurn™ at a glance | Detail |
|---|---|
| Fits | Current-style HovaBator incubators (not older square-style models) |
| Turning | 6 rolls per day, automatic |
| Capacity | 42 chicken, 70 quail, or 28 goose eggs (universal tray) |
| Power | 110V AC |
| Warranty | 2-Year IncuCare Warranty |
If you have ever set an alarm for 2 a.m. to turn eggs by hand, you already know the answer in your gut. Before you spend money on an automatic egg turner, though, it helps to know what it does, whether it suits your setup, and how the IncuTurn compares with hand-turning and other turner styles.
In this review
- What an automatic egg turner is
- Why eggs need turning
- Automatic turner vs hand turning
- Does it improve hatch rates?
- IncuTurn key specs
- Setup and everyday use
- Limitations
- Choosing a turner for a HovaBator
- Installing the IncuTurn
- Who needs an automatic turner
- Troubleshooting
- Is it worth it?
- FAQ
What Is an Automatic Egg Turner, and How Does the IncuTurn™ Compare?
An automatic egg turner 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™ is Incubator Warehouse's automatic egg turner for HovaBator incubators. Instead of rollers or a sliding tray, it uses a universal tray that gently rolls the eggs six times a day, similar to how a hen shifts eggs in a nest. One tray covers several egg types:
- Up to 42 chicken eggs
- Up to 70 quail eggs
- Up to 28 goose eggs
That is the main thing that sets it apart from generic turners: you do not need a different turner for every egg size you hatch. See the IncuTurn product page for current details and pricing.
Why Eggs Need to Be Turned
Inside a fertile egg, the yolk floats in a layer of albumen. Left in one position too long, the yolk drifts upward and the developing embryo can stick to the inner shell membrane. This is one of the most common causes of early embryo death in home incubation.
Turning keeps the embryo from sticking and helps it use the nutrients around it evenly. Hand-turners are usually advised to turn at least 3 to 5 times a day from the day eggs are set until lockdown, around day 18 of a 21-day chicken hatch. Timing varies by species, so check yours. Our egg turning guide covers the biology in more depth.
The mechanics are simple. Doing it consistently, for weeks, without missing a stretch, is the hard part, and that is the gap an automatic egg turner is built to close.
Automatic Egg Turner vs Hand Turning: Which Is Better?
| Factor | Hand turning | Automatic turner (IncuTurn™) |
|---|---|---|
| Turns per day | Whatever you manage, typically 3 to 5 | 6, on a fixed schedule |
| Overnight turning | Often skipped | Continues automatically |
| Risk of missed turns | Higher if you travel, work long hours or forget | Much lower, as long as it has power |
| Incubator disruption | 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. Over a 21-day hatch, that adds up. An automatic turner avoids it, which is one reason hatchers who switch often report steadier conditions, especially overnight, when hand-turning gaps tend to be longest. For a deeper comparison, see our guide to automatic egg turner vs manual turning.
Does an Automatic Egg Turner Improve Hatch Rates?
Not by itself. Turning consistency, not the turning method, drives hatch outcomes. Missed or irregular turns are a common, preventable cause of failure because they let the embryo stick to the shell membrane.
An automatic turner does not guarantee a better hatch than an attentive hand-turner. It removes the biggest variable, human inconsistency. If your routine already hits its turns every day without gaps, an automatic turner mainly buys back your time. If your routine realistically misses turns overnight, on workdays or while travelling, an automatic turner can close that gap.
IncuTurn™ Key Specs
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Compatibility | Current-style HovaBator incubators (not older square-style models) |
| Egg capacity | 42 chicken, 70 quail or 28 goose (universal tray) |
| Turning frequency | 6 rolls per day |
| Power | 110V AC |
| Included | Motor and universal egg tray |
| Not included | Incubator base (sold separately) |
| Warranty | 2-Year IncuCare Warranty |
| Optional add-on | Quail tray raises quail capacity from 70 to 116 eggs |
Setup and Everyday Use
Setup takes about 10 minutes from box to running, most of it spent lining the motor clip up evenly on the incubator lid. Once the motor is mounted, the tray attaches in seconds.
The motor runs quietly. You notice it if you stand next to the incubator, but not from another room. The rolling motion is gentle, and eggs shift smoothly without knocking together, which matters if you hatch anything more fragile than chicken eggs.
Cleaning between hatches is simple: the tray lifts off the motor assembly and wipes down easily, though it is not dishwasher safe.
Limitations to Know Before You Buy
No egg turner is perfect for every setup. These are the main limits of the IncuTurn:
- HovaBator-only: it does not fit Little Giant or other incubator brands
- Current-style HovaBators only: older, blocky square-style models are not supported
- 110V AC only: buyers on 220 or 240V systems need a converter or an alternate motor to stay within warranty terms
- Standard quail capacity: 70 quail eggs suits most hobbyists, but larger quail operations will want the quail tray upgrade to reach 116
- Motor faults take a little know-how: if the motor stops, it is not always obvious at a glance whether it is a power problem or a failed motor
None of these are dealbreakers for the intended user, a current-style HovaBator owner, but they are worth knowing going in.
Choosing an Automatic Egg Turner for a HovaBator
For a HovaBator, the choice usually comes down to how the turner moves eggs and how flexible it is for different egg sizes.
| Turner style | How it moves eggs | Worth checking |
|---|---|---|
| Cradle or tray rolling (IncuTurn™) | Rolls the whole tray gently, 6 times a day | Tray capacity for your egg size |
| Roller-bar | Eggs rest on rotating rollers | Whether eggs stay evenly spaced |
| Tilt-tray | Tray slides and tips eggs side to side | How much each turn moves the egg |
If you already own a HovaBator, the options break down like this:
- Already own a current-style HovaBator? The IncuTurn™ is built for it, so you are buying the turner, not a new incubator
- Hatching quail in volume? The Quail Egg Tray for IncuTurn™ raises capacity to 116 quail eggs. Our guide to an egg turner for quail eggs helps you choose a tray
- Turner motor stopped working? A replacement egg turner motor is sold separately, so a failed motor does not always mean replacing the whole turner
- Building a custom or DIY base? The Motor with Mount for the IncuTurn™ lets you add IncuTurn turning to a non-standard build
Installing and Setting Up the IncuTurn™
- Attach the motor. Slide the motor clip over the edge of your HovaBator incubator base.
- Secure the egg tray. Connect the universal tray to the motor assembly so it sits flush and level.
- Load your eggs. Place eggs pointed end down, spaced so they roll freely without bumping the tray walls, and stay within the rated capacity.
- Plug it in. The IncuTurn™ starts its automatic six-times-a-day cycle with no manual scheduling.
- Remove it before lockdown. Around day 18 for chicken eggs, take the turner out and lay the eggs flat for hatching. Quail lock down around day 14 to 15, and goose later. A turner left running during lockdown can injure pipping chicks.
Who Actually Needs an Automatic Egg Turner?
Not everyone needs one, but most regular hatchers benefit.
You will likely benefit if:
- You work outside the home or travel during incubation
- You need overnight turning covered, because turns matter at 2 a.m. too
- You hatch regularly and do not want to plan your day around egg turns
- You run larger batches where repeated lid opening risks temperature or humidity swings
- You have had inconsistent hatches with hand-turning and suspect missed turns
Hand-turning may still work if:
- You hatch a small batch as a hobby project
- You are home consistently and can keep a strict schedule of several turns a day
- You hatch with children or students and the hands-on turning is part of the learning
Troubleshooting Common IncuTurn™ Issues
- The tray is not rolling eggs evenly. Check that eggs are loaded pointed end down and that the tray is not overloaded past its rated capacity (42 chicken, 70 quail or 28 goose). Overcrowding can cause uneven rolling or motor strain.
- The motor stopped turning. Confirm the incubator is receiving power and the motor clip has not loosened. If the motor itself has failed, a replacement motor is often cheaper than replacing the full turner.
- I need more quail capacity. The standard tray holds 70 quail eggs. The Quail Egg Tray for IncuTurn™ raises that to 116.
- Will it work with my older HovaBator? No. The IncuTurn™ is built for current-style HovaBator incubators, not the older square-style models.
Is the IncuTurn Egg Turner Worth It?
For anyone hatching more than a one-off batch, an automatic egg turner can earn back its cost in less stress and steadier incubation conditions. 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. Many people cannot, which is the gap the IncuTurn™ is designed to close.
If you already run a current-style HovaBator, the IncuTurn™ is one of the simpler upgrades for reducing missed turns. Check compatibility with your incubator model, then browse the full egg turner lineup or the IncuTurn parts and accessories.
View IncuTurn™ details and pricing
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: at least 3 to 5 turns a day, at even intervals, from day 1 until lockdown, including overnight. Most missed-turn hatch problems happen when a schedule slips, which is why an automatic turner is worth it for regular hatchers.
Q: How many times a day should I turn eggs by hand?
Ans: Turn eggs at least 3 to 5 times a day, at roughly even intervals, from day 1 until lockdown. Use an odd number of turns so the eggs do not rest on the same side overnight. For chicken eggs, stop turning around day 18 and raise humidity for lockdown.
Q: How many times a day does the IncuTurn turn eggs?
Ans: The IncuTurn rolls eggs six times a day on a fixed automatic cycle, including overnight, with no manual scheduling. That is within the range most hatchers aim for, and it removes the missed overnight turns that hand-turning often leaves. It also means you never need to open the incubator lid to turn eggs.
Q: Does an automatic egg turner improve hatch rates?
Ans: Not by itself. Consistent turning drives results, not the method. An automatic turner helps most when your hand-turning routine misses turns overnight, on workdays or while travelling, and it also avoids opening the lid. If you already turn on time without gaps, it mainly saves you time.
Q: Is the IncuTurn compatible with Little Giant incubators?
Ans: No. The IncuTurn is built for current-style HovaBator incubators and does not fit older square-style HovaBators. Little Giant models use their own turner, and the IncuTurn motor is also sold separately as a replacement for some Little Giant setups. Check your incubator model on the product page before you order.
Q: Can the IncuTurn handle different egg sizes?
Ans: Yes. The universal tray holds up to 42 chicken, 70 quail or 28 goose eggs. A separate quail tray raises quail capacity to 116 eggs. Do not load more than the rated capacity, because overcrowding can cause uneven rolling and strain the motor.
Q: Can you use an automatic egg turner during lockdown?
Ans: No. Remove the turner at lockdown, around day 18 for chicken eggs and day 14 to 15 for quail, and lay the eggs flat. Eggs must sit still while chicks pip and hatch, and a running turner can injure them. Goose and other species lock down later.
Q: Is the IncuTurn a good choice for beginners?
Ans: Yes, if you own a current-style HovaBator. Setup is a clip-on motor, a tray, and a plug, and it removes the most common beginner mistake: missed or irregular turns. You still need to check temperature and humidity, remove the turner at lockdown and candle your eggs.
Q: How long does the IncuTurn motor last?
Ans: There is no fixed figure. The turner is covered by a 2-Year IncuCare Warranty and the motor is built for daily use across hatch cycles. If a motor eventually fails, it can be replaced on its own, so you do not need to replace the whole turner and tray.
Q: What should I do if my IncuTurn motor stops turning?
Ans: Check that the incubator has power and that the motor clip has not loosened. Make sure the tray is not overloaded. If the motor has failed, a compatible replacement motor is sold separately, so you don't need to replace the whole turner.