Day 21, only 6 successful hatched so far, 2 dead suffocated when they pipped, thick veiny membrane, what’s going on?

[VictoriaTemple]

Thread title says most of it. Both dead chicks seem to have gotten their beaks caught up in the very thick, gel-like membrane just after pipping and died. Neither fully absorbed the yolk. Any idea what causes this problem? Thanks, still praying for the remaining 35 unhatched chicks.

 

[Kiki]

Do you have a salt tested humidity gauge in your incubator?

^^^
First question.


Second:
What do you think your humidity level was at?

 

[VictoriaTemple]

Humidity gauge, yes, salt tested, no. It’s digital. Humidity through incubator was between 50-60%, lockdown humidity was/is about 60-70%.

 

[Rooster G]

Day 21: how did you know they were dead?

 

[VictoriaTemple]

The 2 dead chicks pipped early (Day 19), but no further movement or sound. I noticed their beaks were stuck in the membrane and opened the eggs. They were dead. I removed the 6 live chicks to the brooder, and the incubator is very quiet now, though I thought I saw some rocking. I’m not very hopeful for the rest. Humidity is at 72%, temp 100.5*.