Dying Chicks

[Lextextrapper]

What's the probable cause of a chick dying the last couple of days prior to hatching? It develops along fine all the wa up until the last 2-3 days and then dies. I hatched 27 perfectly strong and healthy chicks, but then there were about 8 or so that didn't even pip. When I opened them up the chicks were developed, but looked like they died just a couple days before hatch date. Any ideas?

 

[Redsquirrel]

I had that happen with 2 out of 7 eggs-wondering the same thing.

 

[shelleyd2008]

Had they pipped the air cell? There are a lot of things that could cause that. Temperature variations, improper humidity levels, breeder (parent) birds' health, to name a few.

Here's a link with info on hatching problems University of Florida IFAS Extension