Hatching advice/why are my chickies not making it?

[Bigpapa]

Hey everyone, I need a little help. I’ve been hatching chicks in homemade incubators for about 5 months now with great results. Just recently I’ve been losing chicks just after they pip. Can anyone tell me why this might be happening? Is it typical for chicks to die that late in their development? My temp in the hatcher is consistent within a degree or two and I haven’t done anything different.

Any info is appreciated.

Thanks

Bigpapa

 

[josiemare]

What has your humidity been doing?

That is a huge factor in incubating these little critters! I did my batch without a hydrometer....just basically winged it. The eggs were halfway cooked and I figured....oh well. I got very lucky...now I have 19 keets inside in the brooder....

Good Luck. I know it is frustrating!

 

[tsbonin]

Honestly I know nothing other than "winging it" with my first batch now laying but everything I'm reading says humidity. Apparenty a chick can drown just after the pip if it has no good air hole. Mine have had nearly too much air and my humidity has been too low. I would check out some of the other humidity post or google "hatching chicken eggs"for more humidity details. Good luck!