Help please!

[melisshudson]

Hi,
This is our first time incubating eggs. We have 16 eggs, 5 of which hatched beautifully around day 21. Chicks are going great. All our other eggs have not hatched going in to day 25. So after much research and deliberation, the husband opened one. Inside was a fully formed chick that had died. He said the chick was stone cold. Just wondering what the possible cause could be of chicks fully growing then dying inside? We followed the temp and humidity guide for our incubator. Thanks for your suggestions.

 

[Keziah]

It might not be your fault at all. This happens a lot, witch is kind of sad, but almost every bach has bad eggs. This happens because Some embryos are just weak and are unable to live. This is nature's "survival of the fit." or you might have not turned the egg enough, but i doubt that. Good luck! And it looks like your new here so HIII welcome to the communitty!

 

[melisshudson]

It might not be your fault at all. This happens a lot, witch is kind of sad, but almost every bach has bad eggs. This happens because Some embryos are just weak and are unable to live. This is nature's "survival of the fit." or you might have not turned the egg enough, but i doubt that. Good luck! And it looks like your new here so HIII welcome to the communitty!

Thanks Keziah!
I’m so sad that so few have hatched and to find that there’s fully formed chicks inside is even worse. It’s our first time incubating and we will learn from this experience. We borrowed and incubator from a friend so were flying blind this time and relying on google for information lol now I’ve joined this group, I’m hoping to become and expert. Thanks for the warm welcome.

 

[HarleyQuailison]

Hi,
This is our first time incubating eggs. We have 16 eggs, 5 of which hatched beautifully around day 21. Chicks are going great. All our other eggs have not hatched going in to day 25. So after much research and deliberation, the husband opened one. Inside was a fully formed chick that had died. He said the chick was stone cold. Just wondering what the possible cause could be of chicks fully growing then dying inside? We followed the temp and humidity guide for our incubator. Thanks for your suggestions.

Sorry to hear about your losses. Congratulations on your hatches. This happens for various reasons. There may have been something wrong with the chick. Most likely they couldn't get out of the sack/shell. They probably died in those last days, if they were fully developed. Sometimes we must candle them to keep an eye on development and possible issues and assist in a hatch. If it isn't moist enough, the inside membrane gets too dry and difficult for them to get through. Had the chick pipped? When Candling, you will clearly see when the chick pips as their beak breaks through the air bubble at the fat part of the egg. They need to be turned throughout, especially the first couple weeks, but during the last days, the small end should be down if in incubator with placement holes. There are so many variables that can affect a hatch. You should really candle during the incubation to check development, and it is really neat as you watch your ggs come to life, as the veins move around and the chick. It is quite the sight and suck a beautiful thing. I'll add a photo and the pdf I added, has links and helped me so much, you should really check that out. Here are a few links to help you with learning to candle, and assisting or emergency help in hatching. https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/guide-to-assisted-hatching-for-all-poultry.72886/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/step-by-step-guide-to-assisted-hatching.64660/
https://poultrykeeper.com/incubating-and-hatching-eggs/candling-eggs/

 

[melisshudson]

Sorry to hear about your losses. Congratulations on your hatches. This happens for various reasons. There may have been something wrong with the chick. Most likely they couldn't get out of the sack/shell. They probably died in those last days, if they were fully developed. Sometimes we must candle them to keep an eye on development and possible issues and assist in a hatch. If it isn't moist enough, the inside membrane gets too dry and difficult for them to get through. Had the chick pipped? When Candling, you will clearly see when the chick pips as their beak breaks through the air bubble at the fat part of the egg. They need to be turned throughout, especially the first couple weeks, but during the last days, the small end should be down if in incubator with placement holes. There are so many variables that can affect a hatch. You should really candle during the incubation to check development, and it is really neat as you watch your ggs come to life, as the veins move around and the chick. It is quite the sight and suck a beautiful thing. I'll add a photo and the pdf I added, has links and helped me so much, you should really check that out. Here are a few links to help you with learning to candle, and assisting or emergency help in hatching. https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/guide-to-assisted-hatching-for-all-poultry.72886/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/step-by-step-guide-to-assisted-hatching.64660/
https://poultrykeeper.com/incubating-and-hatching-eggs/candling-eggs/

Thank you so much for you information. We had an incubator that automatically turns the eggs for us, having said that though, it came with no instructions so we probably made a few mistakes throughout. We did candle them and to us they all looked good (but we have never done it before, could’ve been wrong). I was wondering if it was the humidity but the one we opened was not dry at all so I’m at a loss really. I think I’ll just have to put it down to a learning experience and do a bit more reading up before we try again next time. I really appreciate your help.

 

[HarleyQuailison]

Thank you so much for you information. We had an incubator that automatically turns the eggs for us, having said that though, it came with no instructions so we probably made a few mistakes throughout. We did candle them and to us they all looked good (but we have never done it before, could’ve been wrong). I was wondering if it was the humidity but the one we opened was not dry at all so I’m at a loss really. I think I’ll just have to put it down to a learning experience and do a bit more reading up before we try again next time. I really appreciate your help.

I am sure I made mistakes too, but as you said, learning experience, and try again!! Those links, ESPECIALLY THE PDF WITH LINKS, should help you with it a lot. I think they just may have needed help. I even screwed up on the help with one and I felt so horrible. I think I was not patient enough and it began bleeding and I couldn't stop it so it bled to death. Assisted Hatching can be done, as my girl is proof, but it takes patience and know how for sure. I found that PDF to be so helpful!! Good luck on your next attempt, and keep me posted!!

 

[melisshudson]

I am sure I made mistakes too, but as you said, learning experience, and try again!! Those links, ESPECIALLY THE PDF WITH LINKS, should help you with it a lot. I think they just may have needed help. I even screwed up on the help with one and I felt so horrible. I think I was not patient enough and it began bleeding and I couldn't stop it so it bled to death. Assisted Hatching can be done, as my girl is proof, but it takes patience and know how for sure. I found that PDF to be so helpful!! Good luck on your next attempt, and keep me posted!!

Thanks again and I’ll surely keep you posted.