chicks fully formed but dead in the shell

[chickabator]

This makes the second batch of eggs that has done this to me. the chicks are fully formed but do not pip and die in the shell. one batch was from my own hen WR. so far only 1 has hatched one is still in the incubator it is alive pipped but not came out . I have it wrapped in a very warm wash cloth. Long story. well the other egg that was in there with it was alive yesterday then nothing today so I opened the end of the shell and the inner membrane was solid white chick was still alive so I wet the membrane wrapped it in a wet cloth and put it back in the bator. 10 min later the chick was dead. I took it out of the shell part way all of the yolk sack was absorbed but a little bit but its head was at the pointy part of the egg and not at the aircell. so I figure it drowned. It broke my heart. the one in the bator I am waiting for the rest of the yolk sac to asorb and it should come out on its own I just have to keep it from drying out.
the other batch was my shipped delaware eggs, 4 were bad 4 hatched and the rest were dead in the shells fully formed. 2 of them the membrane was dried out when I opened the eggs the others were dead but were very wet . can anyone tell me what has happened to my babies? this is the first time anything like this has happened and I have hatched 2 other batches and did pretty good on them. 99% on my second batch which was my WR's I set 6 eggs and 5 hatched. my RIR's did good too 24 eggs set 10 were clear 11 hatched but 2 died so it left me with 9. They all are thriving. any suggestions on what I am doing wrong here

 

[Tsagirl]

chick,
I wish I could help you but I can simpathize. On my first batch of eggs I had a really small amount hatch and the rest were dead in shell and fully formed and never hatched. My humidity I found out was ohhh 30%.... I know it was terrible but It was my first hatch and I did not have you all to help me out.

Its been getting better but I think that no matter what there will always be some that just dont make it out cause they are just not strong enough. Just my thoughts. I am still hoping for better hatches for you and me!

 

[chickabator]

I have one in the incubator right now with the end of the shell off and a wet rag around it to keep it from drying out it has been in there for 2 days now waiting for the yolk sack to asorb. the one that hatched is as big as my 1 week old delawares. IT is huge! I don't know how it fit in the egg. and its little belly feels mushy why is it like that

 

[Tsagirl]

oh wow, it does seem your humidity was up. That usually causes mushy chicks. Maybe it was because the humidity was high and the temp was a little low? Or too high?

I wish I knew....I know I am not very good. I am only on my 5th hatch.

I have 3 pips but they are not going anywhere. I am always afraid when they pip and then dont do anything for a while that either they dried up or drowned. uhhhhh.
Hatching is frustrating but addicting. Hehehe!

Good luck on that little one!

 

[silkiechicken]

What day did you start to open up the bator to check? Try to leave it shut from day 18 till 22 before doing any opening or checking as that can affect wheither or not the chick even makes it out. If they get chilled, they may stop for a longer period of time before trying to get out. High humidty thoughout incubation can also make "mushy" chicks that are too big to get out.

I've had chicks with their heads in the pointy end of the egg make it out no problem, so I don't know if that was really the issue. After pip, wait at least 24 hours before helping or you risk distrubing all the other eggs in the bator too.

Good luck.

 

[rooster-red]

Sounds like the humidity was too high on day 18-21.

 

[bmchickens]

For what it's worth,we were having the same thing on our first batch.We had the bator in our bathroom,which gave us way too much humidity.This time,we only put in about a table-spoon or two pf water for the first week,then let it go almost dry until day 18.We did add a wet rag and a damp sponge wden pipping started on day 20{yesterday}We're even having sucess with eggs that were refrigerated for a couple of days.Don't go water crazy,remember,hens do this all the time,without being able to change humidity, or much else. Well,that/s my story,and I'm sticking to it! YF Bruce&Missy

 

[chickabator]

humidity never got above 70% temp 99.5 on three different mercury thermometers. the bator was not opened until day 24. the chick that is still in the bator in half a shell is on day 25 of incubationI don't know if it will make it or not I am waiting to see if it pushes itself out the rest of the way. If it doesn't by tomorrow I will take it out of the shell the rest of the way myself and see how it does. it chirps and blinks its eye that you can see and everything. but the chicks are just too big for the shells. they are huge!!! I will post a picture tomorrow of the one that is in the brooder.

 

[Pinenot]

I had this happen and come to find out I not only had the humidity to high, but I don't think I was getting my bator clean good enough. Make sure that you wash it out with antibacterial soap and let it set in the sun all day. That kills the germs the best with out harsh bleach. It actually works better than bleach. You can also get Oxine and clean your bator out too. Before you start again, get the bator really, really clean.

 

[BantyChickMom]

are these eggs from just starting to lay pullets"

first time layers have small eggs and may not allow room for the chick to grow.

I don't think it's just one problem but a combination of several.