A dozen perfect chicks lost right b4 hatching....why???

[northcricker]

Hello Everyone; would really appreciate some advice on this one. I had my largest batch ever of eggs in my incubator this time. Of the 25 that candled out I had 10 healthy chicks (well 9 for sure) that hatched. Day 21, 1 hatch; Day 22, 2 hatch; Day 23, 6 hatch; and on Day 24, 1 hatched with help (I had no choice, I promise). I candled them out today and of the 15 remaining only 3 were underdeveloped, the other 12 were fully formed and ready to go, but dead. They were all moving around on day 21, so I know most of them were alive. The only thing that I can come up with is that when the 2 chickens hatched on Day 22 they played rugby with the other eggs--and I mean rugby, not just like Husker football. DId they kill them? I saw someone mention that they actually place their eggs in carton bases to protect the unhatched eggs when others hatch. Is this a thing people do? I am so sad right now; I feel like an unfit mother.

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

Although it is heartbreaking, don’t beat yourself up. All you can do is enjoy the chicks that DID hatch and learn from the ones that didn’t. What was the temp and humidity before and lockdown? Did you turn the eggs 3-4 times a day?

 

[northcricker]

I have an automatic turner; left in till day 18; temp set at 100.5 and humidity 55-60% and increased to 70 for hatching. I just don't get it--they were all "jiggling like jello" and then, just gone.

 

[RoosterML]

I have an automatic turner; left in till day 18; temp set at 100.5 and humidity 55-60% and increased to 70 for hatching. I just don't get it--they were all "jiggling like jello" and then, just gone.

Did you calibrate your temp? Sounds like your temp is off on the low side. Also go for 99.5 not 100.5.
If you did run at 100.5 you should have hatched early by at least a day giving you most of your action day19 into 20 you were well beyond that which makes me think your temp is off.
Humidity should be 35-55 during incubation and 55-75 during lockdown.

 

[northcricker]

Did you calibrate your temp? Sounds like your temp is off on the low side. Also go for 99.5 not 100.5.
If you did run at 100.5 you should have hatched early by at least a day giving you most of your action day19 into 20 you were well beyond that which makes me think your temp is off.
Humidity should be 35-55 during incubation and 55-75 during lockdown.

Okay, my incubator keeps the range within 1 degree; so I set it at 100.5 so it doesn't go below 99.5. I have never calibrated the temp before, but will; it may be off. Will also be much easier keeping humidity lower than higher during those initial days. Thanks for your help, gonna try again with just 1/2 a dozen here in a week or so. Any other advice you can give me would be awesome and much appreciated! Thanks again

 

[sdm111]

Your humidity was too high
Too high humidity makes the chick grow too big and they cannot turn to zip the shell if they are able to pip the shell which sometimes they cannot. Usually it ends with a pip but no zip

 

[RoosterML]

Set your temp to 99.5 and let it do its +\- 1 from that.

 

[RoosterML]

Your humidity was too high
Too high humidity makes the chick grow too big and they cannot turn to zip the shell if they are able to pip the shell which sometimes they cannot. Usually it ends with a pip but no zip

Interesting I did not know that. So I take it one is better off running humidity on the lower side versus high side during incubation period?

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

I have an automatic turner; left in till day 18; temp set at 100.5 and humidity 55-60% and increased to 70 for hatching. I just don't get it--they were all "jiggling like jello" and then, just gone.

I’m so sorry! Bear hugs!

 

[northcricker]

Your humidity was too high
Too high humidity makes the chick grow too big and they cannot turn to zip the shell if they are able to pip the shell which sometimes they cannot. Usually it ends with a pip but no zip

I have never heard of this, but it's interesting in that when we opened the eggs of the fully developed chicks, they seems gigantic to us. I feel so bad, there was no pip, just the jiggle. Wish I would've known of this beforehand: Thanks for your info and advice--I appreciate it very much.