day 20, air cell too small- last batch all died, need advice

Are they all from the same incubation period? Are they all 3 days overdue? If they have pipped externally and are still alive the danger from small air cell is over. If they are all about to hatch I wouldn't reduce the humidity too low as they can get shrink wrapped while existing. If this is a different batch I'd lower the humidity some during the first 18 days.

please note I don't qualify as an expert, yet.

Shrink wrap happends when they pip externally and have dry air meet them. The dry air enters in the hole they just pipped and dies out the internal membrane that they have only made a small hole in at this point. As it dries it gets smaller and snugger making it hard for them to rotate in the manner needed to make the holes in a circle on the egg to push out (zip). It can also make it hard for them to breath. They don't have a diaphragm to pull air into their bodies with force.

The small air pocket is a danger because condensation can form in there and when they pip it can drown them.

Do you see movement in any of the remaining eggs. (often times you won't see movement unless they have pipped because they have grown to take up the whole egg except for the air space.


I can't tell you what to do but I can tell you what I would do.

If they are 3 days late.. I'd make a small hole in the air pocket. I'd peel back the part of the egg that is air pocket only. I'd look for internal pipping (beak through the membrane). If pipped, I'd moisten the membrane making sure not to get water in the chicks beak or down the hole. Look for veins. If there are red veins keep membrane moist put back in incubator with 60% humidity.

If not externally pipped, I'd moisten membrane looking for signs of lift like the membrane moving. Membrane moving often times means they are breathing and that they have pipped into a very small pocket on the side. If alot of veins I'd keep moist. I'd look for the beak to help it pip. Please note this is very dangerous for your emotional well being as if you nick a vein the chick will most likely die and you'll feel guilty (worse than if you left it alone and it dies anyway). But after 3 days late I usually go in unless they are all late and I think I had low temps. Some people have had chicks hatch day 25 or 26 on their own. I'd also check the side very carefully for a crack to see if they are sideways pipping.

Those that have internally pipped on their own with a moistened membrane, clearance of top shell and time in incubator normally hatch within 24 hours and just fine.

Those that have not internally pipped are much harder to help and I have only had about 30% success helping them internally pip and stay moist and hatch. But I have had little success with late birds (3 days late) left on their own hatch either probably less than 30%. I have tried it both ways.
There are threads on helping and there are videos too if searched.