Hatching chicks

[Selwyn]

Hello all

Recently I incubated 12 Marans and 12 Malays. 6 Marans hatched at 21/22 days. One died leaving five very healthy active Maran chicks. I waited 25 days for the rest to pip but no results. I cracked open all the remaining eggs and, apart from one, were fully featured and formed chicks. Everyone I've asked is puzzled, some suggesting that the shells were to hard for the chicks. Why do you think this happened? I ready to have another go at incubating eggs and don't want to make the same mistake again.

Many thnaks
Selwyn

 

[sumi]

Hello and

It happens sometimes that the chicks can't hatch. I'm not sure why though.

 

[Selwyn]

Thanks - must be the English Weather. Selwyn

 

[somadlyinlove]

Marans eggs are often very thick and tough for chicks to crack.

 

[Selwyn]

Thanks - but none of the Malay hatched. Could it be that the humidity was low and the shells not soft enough to crack.

Cheers Selwyn

 

[4-H chicken mom]

Hi and from Ohio. So glad to have you aboard. Low humidity or high temps can cause egg shells to be hard.

 

[Kevin565]

 

[weimarmama]

&

from Alabama. Glad you joined us. Sorry to hear about your hatch, but congrats on your 5 healthy Marans

It possibly could be a humidity problem. Have you calibrated your hygrometer?

 

[CrazyChookz]

Hi and

Glad to have you on board. Enjoy the site!

 

[Selwyn]

Thanks everyone - I've talked to my Mother in Law for the first time in 2012. She is a farmers wife and was big in chickens. Mrs Gibson says they need a spray of water at 18days and maybe a damp rag under the bator slats. So lack of humidity is the problem. Off to Thirsk market in the morning. I'll buy another doz or 2. And I might buy me a hygrometer.