Chick dead in shell

[Southwellski]

We just opened it to see if we could help it out but it was already dead. It was perfectly formed and still had a yolk sac slightly larger than it's head attached. There was fluid in the sac. We have had 3 hatch out of a batch of 5. We're opening the other one up too now as it is probably dead also. In fact whilst I was typing this, my husband opened up the other one which is exactly the same.
Does this information tell you anything that you can tell about why these chicks died? Could I have done something different?

 

[Griffin Nest]

That usually happens when it was too humid in the incubator and the chicks didn't loose enough weight

 

[tec27]

it may look like it was fully formed but if the yolk sac wasn't absorbed that means it prob died a day or two before the expected hatch date. this could be from bacteria, weakness, or humidity/temp problems.

 

[riddleluvsrotties]

I've been reading up on the humidity issue alot lately, I'm no expert but I agree with the previous posts. Humidity might've played a major role in the failure to thrive. Is there any way you can control the humidity in your future clutches? Mustn't totally ignore bacteria threats though. tec27 is a really smart cookie.

 

[pete55]

Hi there

It does sound as though the egg did not lose adequate moisture during incubation which has weakened the chicks resulting in late DIS. I am sorry to hear about it

Here's a link to help you to a thread I did earlier which explains this in more detail

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=491013

Also there more links and information on incubation on our website;

http://oakgarthgeese.com

I hope it all helps you and good luck

Pete