First Time Hatching - incubator edition

[CluckNDoodle]

Yeah, this was #11 and it was still moving around. So, I guess that’s some hope. The other one was #12 ( the worse one ) and I don’t think I saw it move.

What causes this to happen?

It could be any number of things with an early quitter and if it's just a couple in early incubation it's nothing I would worry about. Sometimes these things just happen. I do have 100% hatches but most of the time a couple of early quitters are to be expected. Late quitters are more likely to have something to do with incubation practices but we can get into all do that later if you even want to. Lol

 

[cluckingheck]

It could be any number of things with an early quitter and if it's just a couple in early incubation it's nothing I would worry about. Sometimes these things just happen. I do have 100% hatches but most of the time a couple of early quitters are to be expected. Late quitters are more likely to have something to do with incubation practices but we can get into all do that later if you even want to. Lol

I think #12 is still moving but not much. I say “think” because it could’ve been my eyes playing tricks on me from staring at the egg for so long. Definitely not like the other eggs where the movement is very obvious.

I haven’t candled all of them yet ( I’ll wait until day 10 ), but what are some of the incubation practices that can cause late quitters?

 

[Willawong Hill]

I'd like to know this as well as I've just had 5 eggs make it to lockdown but only one hatched. Of the other 4 only one internally pipped, the others never even made it that far as well. Too hot? too cold? Humidity too high or low early or late?

 

[CluckNDoodle]

I'd like to know this as well as I've just had 5 eggs make it to lockdown but only one hatched. Of the other 4 only one internally pipped, the others never even made it that far as well. Too hot? too cold? Humidity too high or low early or late?

Eggtopsies once you're positive the chick is passed is the best way to confirm what went wrong in a hatch but even then you will sometimes be left with questions.
As a note, any time I do an eggtopsy I always enter the egg like it's a assisted hatch just in case.

It sounds like you opened your eggs to see what happened, what did you see? (Was the membrane dry, was there water built up in the air cell? Was there jelly around the chicks? Were they formed correctly? Were they in the proper position for hatching?)
What kind of incubator did you use and what humidity did you keep it at throughout incubation and hatch? Did you use a secondary calibrated thermometer/hygrometer? Did you hand turn or use an auto turner?
When a chick is completely developed but is malpositioned and unable to internally pip the more common causes I see are from humidity being too high during the first 18 days of incubation causing what is called sticky chicks from not losing enough weight during incubation (this looks like a sticky substance around the chicks) and the chicks aren't able to turn properly to hatch. Not turning your eggs often enough can also result in a higher occurrence of malpositions.

I've used several types of incubators and some are more sensitive to humidity issues, tell me a little more about your incubator and humidity settings.

 

[CluckNDoodle]

I think #12 is still moving but not much. I say “think” because it could’ve been my eyes playing tricks on me from staring at the egg for so long. Definitely not like the other eggs where the movement is very obvious.

I haven’t candled all of them yet ( I’ll wait until day 10 ), but what are some of the incubation practices that can cause late quitters?

Definitely give it some time then. Once you candle all of them you'll more easily be able to see the if that is officially a quitter. Fingers crossed!

 

[Willawong Hill]

Eggtopsies once you're positive the chick is passed is the best way to confirm what went wrong in a hatch but even then you will sometimes be left with questions.
As a note, any time I do an eggtopsy I always enter the egg like it's a assisted hatch just in case.

It sounds like you opened your eggs to see what happened, what did you see? (Was the membrane dry, was there water built up in the air cell? Was there jelly around the chicks? Were they formed correctly? Were they in the proper position for hatching?)
What kind of incubator did you use and what humidity did you keep it at throughout incubation and hatch? Did you use a secondary calibrated thermometer/hygrometer? Did you hand turn or use an auto turner?
When a chick is completely developed but is malpositioned and unable to internally pip the more common causes I see are from humidity being too high during the first 18 days of incubation causing what is called sticky chicks from not losing enough weight during incubation (this looks like a sticky substance around the chicks) and the chicks aren't able to turn properly to hatch. Not turning your eggs often enough can also result in a higher occurrence of malpositions.

I've used several types of incubators and some are more sensitive to humidity issues, tell me a little more about your incubator and humidity settings.

Thanks,
Yes i did open the eggs like an assisted hatch on day 24 once I couldn't see any signs of life. I didn't think the one which had internally pipped had anything wrong with it, but it was under a broody hen (heard chirping one day but not the next).

The other 3 seemed to have 2 with air cells at the wrong end (or I have incubated them upside down- fairly round eggs) and one had an air cell at the side. seemed to have moisture around chick but not sure if starting to decompose? Otherwise chicks looked normal.

Still air incubator, found humidity a little hard to regulate, probably about 40-50% at start of hatch, was above 70% for most of lockdown though did find it at 60% first thing in the morning a couple of times. Auto turner seemed to be working normally. Had an extra thermometer/hygrometer in there but not calibrated so either could be right, it was saying the humidity was slightly lower (about 5% off) and temp about 1deg C lower (but sensor for this was at egg level, whereas sensor for incubator was up higher- incubator set to 38 Celsius). It is a 48 egg incubator though and I've only been incubating small amounts (this was 7 eggs to start with), last hatch of 12 had none hatch (only 2 made it to lockdown though, neither internally pipped again seemed normal but some water around chick?). I'm thinking it's time for a new incubator....

 

[CluckNDoodle]

Thanks,
Yes i did open the eggs like an assisted hatch on day 24 once I couldn't see any signs of life. I didn't think the one which had internally pipped had anything wrong with it, but it was under a broody hen (heard chirping one day but not the next).

The other 3 seemed to have 2 with air cells at the wrong end (or I have incubated them upside down- fairly round eggs) and one had an air cell at the side. seemed to have moisture around chick but not sure if starting to decompose? Otherwise chicks looked normal.

Still air incubator, found humidity a little hard to regulate, probably about 40-50% at start of hatch, was above 70% for most of lockdown though did find it at 60% first thing in the morning a couple of times. Auto turner seemed to be working normally. Had an extra thermometer/hygrometer in there but not calibrated so either could be right, it was saying the humidity was slightly lower (about 5% off) and temp about 1deg C lower (but sensor for this was at egg level, whereas sensor for incubator was up higher- incubator set to 38 Celsius). It is a 48 egg incubator though and I've only been incubating small amounts (this was 7 eggs to start with), last hatch of 12 had none hatch (only 2 made it to lockdown though, neither internally pipped again seemed normal but some water around chick?). I'm thinking it's time for a new incubator....

It does sound like it's from inconsistencies in your incubator. There are ways to get around these things most of the time (for example rotating eggs around the incubator to make up for hot and cold spots) but you would definitely want to calibrate your secondary thermometer/hygrometer to make sure it's accurate. Monitoring air cell development will help you to determine whether you need to increase or decrease humidity in your incubator. From my own experience incubating in the same room with the same ambient temp and humidity with different brands of incubators side by side I did find that each incubator does best at slightly different settings which is why I always ask what incubator people are using.

 

[CluckNDoodle]

Thanks,
Yes i did open the eggs like an assisted hatch on day 24 once I couldn't see any signs of life. I didn't think the one which had internally pipped had anything wrong with it, but it was under a broody hen (heard chirping one day but not the next).

The other 3 seemed to have 2 with air cells at the wrong end (or I have incubated them upside down- fairly round eggs) and one had an air cell at the side. seemed to have moisture around chick but not sure if starting to decompose? Otherwise chicks looked normal.

Still air incubator, found humidity a little hard to regulate, probably about 40-50% at start of hatch, was above 70% for most of lockdown though did find it at 60% first thing in the morning a couple of times. Auto turner seemed to be working normally. Had an extra thermometer/hygrometer in there but not calibrated so either could be right, it was saying the humidity was slightly lower (about 5% off) and temp about 1deg C lower (but sensor for this was at egg level, whereas sensor for incubator was up higher- incubator set to 38 Celsius). It is a 48 egg incubator though and I've only been incubating small amounts (this was 7 eggs to start with), last hatch of 12 had none hatch (only 2 made it to lockdown though, neither internally pipped again seemed normal but some water around chick?). I'm thinking it's time for a new incubator....

I forgot to mention for the eggs with air cells in the wrong place this can cause issues in hatch because the chicks need to be able to pip internally to begin breathing before they externally pip. Sometimes you will have a chick that pips through the side and is still able to hatch successfully but it certainly increases your chance of issues.

 

[Willawong Hill]

Thanks a bunch @CluckNDoodle for all your help and info.

 

[CluckNDoodle]

Thanks a bunch @CluckNDoodle for all your help and info.

You're welcome!