Chick died in shell at about 12 days.

[Vellie]

Hello I am new to the forum and concerned about my chicks. Recently we had put about 14 eggs under a wonderful Wyandotte brooder. The 2 that were to hatch yesterday were dead inside. They appeared to have died at about 12days, I am so concerned about the rest of the chicks and am not sure what to do or why they would have died. We do not have an incubator, so we brought our girl in the house with the eggs so she and the babies could be safe when/if they hatch. Now I am not sure what to do, when candled we can see the air sac and a black mass, but that is what we saw with the last 2 that were dead. Should we hear something or feeling something or see something if they are alive? Help please we don't want to lose all the babies and if they are gone already then what did we do wrong? Thank so much for any help.

 

[nivtup]

I would just let her do her thing.

If the eggs are good, you will get some chicks.

 

[Mrs. K]

last summer on the incubator and hatching section, they ran a poll for a couple of months, and the hatching rate was right about 50%. Now of course some did better and some did worse. but over all it hung right on 50%. So a lot of eggs are not going to make it. You probably did nothing that caused those two eggs to die.

But I am curious, you wrote that you put 14 eggs under her, and the two that were suppose to hatch today.... did you not put the 14 eggs under her all at once? Cause then you might have problems. She will only set about 24 hours or so and then will take the new chicks and leave the nest. Anything that has not hatched, will cool and die. And if you rescue them, and finish incubating them, she probably won't take the chicks when they do hatch.

It is best to collect eggs and set them under a broody hen all at once, so that they hatch all at once.

Don't give up, a broody hen and chicks is my favorite part. Mrsk

 

[Vellie]

Thank you for your response. The others were put under her 4 days later and should be hatching any day now. And after researching I see your point about putting them all in there at the same time. We should have done the research before trying to hatch.