Chicks Dead In The Shell. What Happened?

[thepetpaw]

I had 13 out of 42 hatch although I had to throw about 10 - 15 out because they were unfertile. Out of all that did not hatch they were dead inside the egg like yours. I think I made the mi=stake of opening the bator to take the first few out after they hatched and dried. The range of hatch was over a three day period and I didnt think it was safe to leave the hatchings in there that long.

I am on day two with a new batch.

I am going to get another incubator to put the eggs in on day 19 - I think my humididty got way to low because some of the ones that hatched were stuck to the shell......

It was my first hatch also. but I leaarned a few things and will do better next time - hopefully

Joni

 

[dangerouschicken]

Quote:
Some of my eggs were shipped, and only one of those developed properly. It produced a beautiful big chick that came out looking perfect. The others that developed were my own flock, crosses of my Cuckoo Marans rooster with various hens. The two that did not hatch, but were fully formed, were from those.

I really think now, after reading all this, that it was the humidity. I am going to be extra careful this time. I am on Day 2 of my second hatch now.

Thanks for the info and well wishes, everyone.

 

[panner123]

Humidity..... If it goes a little low, bring it up slow if you have to. It is better to be low than high. Now clean the bator and put some more eggs in.

Try to use your own eggs if you have a roo, it is a lot cheaper this way. Once you get it down then buy those exenpensive eggs.

 

[coffeemama]

Yeah-likely the humidity-it really is that touchy. I find with my hova1588 that if I fill the center well for the first 18 days every two days, then put a sponge or microfiber towel in for the last, I have good results. I just use a syringe and tubing to get the towel/sponge damp when needed. Are there pics somewhere of the chicks?????

 

[dangerouschicken]

Not the dead ones, just the live ones:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=84259

 

[klf73]

Ok DC, my hatch is almost complete. Out of my showgirl/silkie eggs I lost 2. They were fully formed, pipped air cell and died. They were too big to maneuver themselves out. I grabbed three other eggs and opened the air cell, as soon as I peeled some shell away (veins were completely gone) they just about exploded out. I am not sure if they were pullet eggs but they were small and the chicks too big. How big were your chicks in relation to the eggs? Just wanted to share my experience

Krista

 

[3 sisters farm]

I just did that with my eggs...the many that did not hatch all big well formed ie too big.

 

[DaKid]

Sorry for ur lost


but I too have had back times with hatching rates with in the last yr. I also found that I use a cheat incubators with a automatic egg turner but lately I add a bowl of small bowl of water plus a thermometer servings as a wet reading..... with one of those chidden water things which I stick the probe in the center which acts as a egg with both or all three more water , 99.8 temp. reading inside the water thing plus the x-tra water with another thermometer , reading and air my hatching rate has increase these last 6 months


From da pass that what happen to me ----sounds like not enough moister
In the air which helps the hatch out of the eggs

goood luck try -something diffent - slight difference at each hatch and keep records of each , you 'll get it down yet


Al.

 

[dangerouschicken]

Yeah, you are right about keeping hatch records. I hadn't thought about it before. I think that will keep me going and trying to make it better each time.

With the babies that died, they were small, but still too big for the shell. One little one I helped out after he pipped, but the other two never pipped, and died. I know they were alive in there on day 21, because the eggs were moving. I think they just didn't have room to get out. I am keeping the humidity lower this time, and watching them closer. If I see them moving, and they still haven't pipped after day 21, I'm gonna have to use my God-like powers to help them along.

I have 13 in the bator again and I'm now on Day 5.

 

[Solsken Farm]

Boy that is no fun at all.

DC I remember you said you got a new genesis 1588 and had filled the C tray as they suggested. I think I warned you to be cautious about that. My experience with my genesis was that filling to their recommended level caused my humidity to be too high. I now use a sponge in the c tray to keep the humidity in the high 30s, low 40s and only add enough water to bring it to 60 or so in the final days. The rate increases more as the hatching chicks generate alot more moisture. Remember to only add a little water, as it takes a bit of time to adjust after the water is added.

Good luck on your second hatch!