Please help! What am I doing wrong? (warning: semi-graphic photo)

[Tuffoldhen]

Quote:
It shouldn't if that's your humidity level for the last 3 days. I've seen my humidity levels go into the 80s when the pips start and they hatch out. Mine have never had that problem. My thoughts

 

[Bravo]

Quote:
It shouldn't if that's your humidity level for the last 3 days. I've seen my humidity levels go into the 80s when the pips start and they hatch out. Mine have never had that problem. My thoughts

Thanks Tuffoldhen. It just didnt add up. The zipping on that shell (with the exception of a little piece that broke off when I pulled the egg out) was all done by the chick. not me.

Looks like I'm back at square 1....I have no clue what is going on.

 

[juliechick]

I had the same thing happen with my last hatch, except it only happened with some of the eggs. The chicks were a mix of breeds and all the chicks that zipped and died were large and red. So, I assumed it was because of some genetic thing, or that the chicks were too large. I really don't know. I had over 20 chicks hatch fine all by themselves in the same hatch, so the problem probably wasn't humidity.

 

[pbjmaker]

Brody's Broodello :

What are you feeding the parents. If you are feeding a layer feed, the calcium could be to high. The feed for layers makes the shells harder so they don't break easily when layed on a hard floor. Great for eating eggs, not good for a chick trying to break out. The chick get's to tired and can't finish the job. I had this problem when I first started to hatch, I fed the hens Layena, after i switched them to Flock Raiser, the problem went away. Hope this helps.

The four eggs I ended up helping had this problem. The shells and membranes are insanely hard on my maran eggs. I can't hardly break them to make scrambled eggs.​

 

[Chosen Chickens]

Keep us updated on how these other ones are doing.... Again, I am a new comer here as well but it seems that humidity would be different all around the world for the "natural" incubating and I am sure there are places in the south and midwest where the humidity if over 80 for stretches....

What time of the year was it when you incubated your first batch and had this problem?

Also, one thing I have messed up on is making sure my own hands were clean every time I touched the eggs.... I had every thing clean when I put them in but then I forgot to wash my hands when I was candling them one time.... that could bring infection in.

I am sure there is some reason but all we can do is just throw out ideas and see if something comes up

 

[Bravo]

Thanks Chosen Chickens. Yes, any ideas that can be thrown out will help. I hopefully this thread will be able to help others going through the same thing too.

The last batch I incubated was a month ago. Days 1-18 they were at a 50-55% humidity which most argue is too high. For this batch I kept it at 35% until lockdown.

I am religious about washing my hands and always do it before I touch the eggs. I even disinfect my candeler after each use.

I really didnt handle these eggs much. On day 10 I removed the clear eggs and on day 18 I took them out of the turner and checked viability. Aircells were right where they were supposed to be for day 18.

At this point, the only thing I can think of is bacteria.

 

[Chosen Chickens]

Is the one your husband was watching still zipping?

 

[Bravo]

I believe so. The last time I talked to him the chick was starting to actively hatch. I feel like a crazy person calling him every 5 minutes so I figured I'd leave him alone for a little while.

....I'm still stuck at work....

I'll update on the chick as soon as I know more--or get home.

 

[princess araucana]

I'm sorry for your troubles but this is an interesting and educational thread!
I am wishing you luck and healthy hatching.
...and waiting to find out what happens!

best to you!

 

[shiloh04]

I have had the same issues with all of my hatches so far. The ones that do pip or that do hatch with only a bit of help still die, and all the chicks were fully-formed and had sucked up their yolks. I too had noticed the shells and membranes seemed quite hard, so I might try switching to a lower-calcium feed.

My humidity has been around 50% for both hatches though.

I hope you figure out the problem. It sucks having all your little chickies die