Gypsy, I had remembered coming across something similar a long time ago. I went looking, and found a study, but I can't remember if it is the one I saw. I've copied the possible causes below. They're pretty general, no 'smoking gun.'
Eggs are set with small end up. As part of a monitoring program, check eggs in the egg room or in the setters to ensure that eggs have been set correctly.
Advancing breeder hen age and shell quality problems.
Egg turning frequency and angle are not adequate. Proper frequency of turning through a 45 degree angle assists the embryo to position for hatch. The standard turning rate in the setter is 1 per hour.
Inadequate percent humidity loss of eggs in the setter. Acceptable weight loss of eggs from setting to transfer is 11-14%.
Inadequate air cell development, improper temperature and humidity regulation, and insufficient ventilation in the incubator or hatcher.
Imbalanced feeds, elevated levels of mycotoxins, and vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
Exposure to lower than recommended temperatures in the last stage of incubation.
There's also a summary of the different malpositions, Link is http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/vm095
Eggs are set with small end up. As part of a monitoring program, check eggs in the egg room or in the setters to ensure that eggs have been set correctly.
Advancing breeder hen age and shell quality problems.
Egg turning frequency and angle are not adequate. Proper frequency of turning through a 45 degree angle assists the embryo to position for hatch. The standard turning rate in the setter is 1 per hour.
Inadequate percent humidity loss of eggs in the setter. Acceptable weight loss of eggs from setting to transfer is 11-14%.
Inadequate air cell development, improper temperature and humidity regulation, and insufficient ventilation in the incubator or hatcher.
Imbalanced feeds, elevated levels of mycotoxins, and vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
Exposure to lower than recommended temperatures in the last stage of incubation.
There's also a summary of the different malpositions, Link is http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/vm095