Death before zip

[DuckCommander]

Why would a chick die before they start zipping? I have had 4 die this way so far this hatch. Temp is good and I've been keeping humidity around 70%. They all externally pipped

 

[DraigAthar]

Are they pipping at the correct end of the egg? If they are pipping at the wrong end of the egg, they can die before unzipping because they can't turn properly in the egg. If they pipped at the correct end of the egg, the only other thing I can think of is not enough ventilation. Do you have the vents open?

 

[DuckCommander]

It must be ventilation, I was taking the plugs in and out to prevent the humidity from dropping too low. I won't do that again!

 

[Chicken-Farmer]

If humidity is an issue increase the surface are of the water. This will increase evaporation and in turn increase humidity. I use a cotton sock that has been split down the middle. Lay one end of the sock in the water and the cotton will suck up the water like a wick. You can remove your vent plugs and still have high humidity.

Chicken-Farmer