Ckicks are dying while hatching

[Dipsey2209]

I have had issues with incubators but never hen hatched eggs..i have a hen who is sitting on 14 eggs..the eggs are a cross between RI Red and Splash Cochin the chicks started to hatch last night but i have only got one survior so far the other 3 who tried to hatch died half in and half out of the shell they have a horrible stink to them like rotten egg before they even die..can anyone tell me what is going on? The parent birds are strong,free range birds with no health issues that i am aware of..i did notice that the hen wouldn't get off the nest very often the entire time of incubation i only saw her get off the nest to go outside to eat twice i dont know if that has anything to do with anything but thought i'd mention it

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Hmm sounds like infection. Don't know what to tell you!

 

[johnwinters]

It may be Omphalitis, a.k.a. Mushy Chick Syndrome, which comes from the humidity being too high throughout the entire period of incubation - Nothing with their genetics, just too high humidity. I have had this with my mother hens. The chicks will hatch but will have an unabsorbed yolk sac or unhealed naval and die shortly afterward.