Chicks pipped internally, but never pipped the shell; why?

[Chellester]

Out of my latest batch of eggs, I had two that pipped internally (broke the air sac) but never pipped the shell. I know they didn't drown, because I could hear them peeping inside the egg. I opened the eggs, and I couldn't see anything wrong with the chicks (other than the fact that they were dead).

Any ideas on why this might have happened?

 

[Frozen Feathers]

So sorry to hear that. Unfortunately I have no idea why that happens...I'm just sorry it did.

 

[kstaven]

Chicks may have grown to big to be able to turn properly and break the shell. Membrane could have been sticking to them(a little dry) and not allowing them to get fully positioned. Those are my best guesses.

 

[Rafter 7 Paint Horses]

I found this information, maybe it will help you.

Symptoms:
Pipped eggs, but died without hatching

Probable Cause: Insufficient moisture
Corrective Measures: Increase humidity (wet-bulb temperature) during the hatching period.


Probable cause: Improper ventilation
Corrective measures: Increase ventilation rate in incubator and/or room, but avoid drafts.

Probable cause:
Improper setting of eggs causing malpositioned embryos
Corrective measures:
Set eggs with small end down. Turn eggs properly but avoid turning within 3 days of hatching.


Jean

Edited to add: I mis-read your post, I thought they had pipped. I didn't find anything about internal pipping and not through the shell.

 

[Chellester]

Angie n Maine, thank you for your kind words.

kstaven and Rafter 7 Paint Horses, when I cracked the eggs open, the chicks were still wet and slid easily out of the shell, so I don't think it was because they got stuck. But they did seem to be quite crowded in the shell, so they might have been too big to pip out. Thank you for the information.

 

[speckledhen]

I'm sorry you lost some. I've had that happen due to too-porous shells, I believe. I found a really good link you can add to your others that may help:
http://www.northolm.co.uk/articles/84.php

 

[Chellester]

Thanks for the link speckledhen!