In need of quick advice

[Lori J]

Day 25 and two eggs have still not hatched and there has never been any pipping or sign of life. The other seven eggs hatched just fine. So there was a bad smell when I checked the incubator last couple days so I decided at these eggs were not alive anymore. However, I peeled away the shell, which peeled away easily,to see if I could determine what happened and why they did not hatch. As you can see from the picture, Both chicks were fully formed but their heads were tucked into their bodies and not facing towards the airsac. So I assume possibly they both drowned/suffocated because I did not control the humidity properly?

So the reason that this is a pressing question is because they both seem very moist and pliable... is it possible that these chicks are still alive and I have just removed the shells when I should not have? I’m sorry that’s a dumb question I’m new to this. Once I removed the eggs and the shells there were no bad smells like before. Anything I can do?

 

[Coffeebean1947]

Not likely. All chicks I have eggtopsied have been soft and pliable. Not really sure why.

 

[Lori J]

Not likely. All chicks I have eggtopsied have been soft and pliable. Not really sure why.

Thank you! I was worried I was needing to Somehow try to save them. But I don’t think they are alive

 

[Coffeebean1947]

Hatching eggs is tough on the heart strings. I'm sorry for your loss.

 

[JaeG]

They were malpositioned and unfortunately that position is fatal. It happened to me also with the only surviving egg out of 6 that had a rough ride through the post. I was pretty heartbroken. Sometimes the chick doesn't position itself properly and it can be for a variety of reasons that it happens.

 

[Kiraeh]

This kind of malposition I don't think is humidity related. If it was, it would be from humidity too low, leading to a air cell too big and no room for the chick to reposition.
It's very hard to say what causes malpositions like this. I had a couple in my first hatch, they were my too smallest eggs. My theory is that the chicks grew too big before they turned and then didn't have the room to do so. But it could also be related to a temperature fluctuation at the wrong time, invisible developmental issues, problems with the parent flock, rough handling. If you had a smell, there could also have been a bacterial issue.

On the drowning thing, chicks typically drown after pipping internally from too much water left in the albumen of the egg. This happens when humidity is too high throughout incubation. Humidity swings are not a problem on their own, but eggs need to lose over 10% of their weight in water evaporation.

 

[Lori J]

This kind of malposition I don't think is humidity related. If it was, it would be from humidity too low, leading to a air cell too big and no room for the chick to reposition.
It's very hard to say what causes malpositions like this. I had a couple in my first hatch, they were my too smallest eggs. My theory is that the chicks grew too big before they turned and then didn't have the room to do so. But it could also be related to a temperature fluctuation at the wrong time, invisible developmental issues, problems with the parent flock, rough handling. If you had a smell, there could also have been a bacterial issue.

On the drowning thing, chicks typically drown after pipping internally from too much water left in the albumen of the egg. This happens when humidity is too high throughout incubation. Humidity swings are not a problem on their own, but eggs need to lose over 10% of their weight in water evaporation.

Thank you so much this is really helpful! I’m going to purchase a hygrometer and maybe that will help if I do it again. I’m not sure what or where to buy that so I may post about it but if you have any advice feel free to let me know!

 

[Lori J]

They were malpositioned and unfortunately that position is fatal. It happened to me also with the only surviving egg out of 6 that had a rough ride through the post. I was pretty heartbroken. Sometimes the chick doesn't position itself properly and it can be for a variety of reasons that it happens.

Yes thank you!

 

[Kiraeh]

Since hygrometers are easy to reliably calibrate via salt test and then double check via weighing eggs, you can generally get away with whatever cheap one you find in your local hardware store/Walmart(just if it comes built in to a thermometer, don't assume you can trust that thermometer until you've checked it too).

This changes if you're incubating in a difficult climate(very dry, or high altitude). Things get trickier and pickier then, and advice from folks at sea level on the coasts(as I am) applies less and less.

 

[Lori J]

Since hygrometers are easy to reliably calibrate via salt test and then double check via weighing eggs, you can generally get away with whatever cheap one you find in your local hardware store/Walmart(just if it comes built in to a thermometer, don't assume you can trust that thermometer until you've checked it too).

This changes if you're incubating in a difficult climate(very dry, or high altitude). Things get trickier and pickier then, and advice from folks at sea level on the coasts(as I am) applies less and less.

Thanks!