Poor hatch with deformed chick **WARNING: PHOTO ATTACHED**

[Unhingedchookmum]

Hi all,

Long time reader, first time poster!

I recently had a terrible hatch; 2/12 eggs hatched with only 5 of them making it to day 14. On day 23 only 2 had hatched and no movement or anything from the others so we cracked them open. 2 had stopped developing but one was fully formed and dead; looked as if it had internally pipped but hadn’t started breathing. When we unfolded it () it appeared to have some sort of organ prolapse. Was this a genetic thing? Possibly the reason it didn’t survive the hatch?

Aware I likely have to tinker with my humidity and make a few changes; this was my first hatch and I’ve learned SO much, especially from this group!

 

[Jener8or]

I'm sorry this happened! Do you have an external thermometer in your incubator to verify the temperature? Sometimes too high of temp can cause deformities and them hatching early.

It could also be an infection of the navel. Definitely overclean after every hatch. Disinfect the incubator with 1 part bleach to 100 parts water. If you aren't a fan of bleach, you might be able to use 70% rubbing alcohol, or hydrogen peroxide, or you can even use 1 part white vinegar to 9 parts water. Before using any product, though, I would look up your incubator to see if the brand has any specific cleaning instructions or solutions.

I would soak any parts that don't have electronics in the disinfectant solution. (Make sure it is cleaned and dried well. Cleaning out twice can't hurt.)

I would recommend getting an external thermometer and hygrometer to double-check your temperature and humidity. Do you know what the temp and humidity was during the first 18 days of incubation and lockdown?

You can "salt test" your hygrometer to make sure it is calibrated by putting a teaspoon of salt in a bottle cap or similar, wetting it (not too much), and put the hygrometer and wet salt into a sealed container and the humidity should read 75%.

What kind of incubator are you using? Getting the best incubator you can buy with a forced air fan (to eliminate temperature discrepancies throughout the incubator) and an automatic egg turner is recommended, but I know people have high success rates using the basics (just probably a higher incidence of trial-and-error.)

Good luck with your next hatch!

 

[Debbie292d]

Hi all,

Long time reader, first time poster!

I recently had a terrible hatch; 2/12 eggs hatched with only 5 of them making it to day 14. On day 23 only 2 had hatched and no movement or anything from the others so we cracked them open. 2 had stopped developing but one was fully formed and dead; looked as if it had internally pipped but hadn’t started breathing. When we unfolded it () it appeared to have some sort of organ prolapse. Was this a genetic thing? Possibly the reason it didn’t survive the hatch?

Aware I likely have to tinker with my humidity and make a few changes; this was my first hatch and I’ve learned SO much, especially from this group! View attachment 3940518

Sorry for your losses. This chick died before it was due to hatch. It was still absorbing its yolk.

You'll get better at this!

I have about 5 Govee thermometer/hygrometers I use to test the temp/humidity of the incubators, plus for the brooders to make sure they're at 95F for the new chicks.

It's important to maintain 99.5F and most incubators are not correct. I own four of them, three being expensive Brinseas, and only one is correct.

Humidity should be 40-50% until lockdown, and then 70%. I do not like to open the incubators at all so I only candle them at 7 days to remove any infertile ones, and then right before lockdown to remove any quitters.

Trust me, you'll have better luck with each hatch! Congrats on the couple you got!

 

[Ridgerunner]

On day 23 only 2 had hatched

When did the two that hatched actually hatch? Was it early, late, or about on time?

I'd also question your incubating temperature. Debbie's experience is not that unusual, even with the expensive "good" ones. I use an old-fashioned medical mercury thermometer. Those should be calibrated in the temperature range you are working.

I'll include links to a couple of troubleshooting guides. They appear to be written for commercial operations more than us at home but you might get some good clues as to what went wrong.

Trouble Shooting Failures with Egg Incubation | Mississippi State University Extension Service (msstate.edu)

Common Incubation Problems: Causes and Remedies (ucanr.edu)

 

[Susan Skylark]

The abdomen doesn’t close until the yolk is absorbed (why you don’t rush to assist a hatch!) so looking disemboweled like that is normal for a premie chick. Sorry for your hatch.

 

[Unhingedchookmum]

Thank you all for taking the time to reply! I’ve taken measures to ensure more accurate humidity and temp for next time around.

Unfortunately both other chicks that hatched also died within a few days. I’m wondering if dodgy genetics also played a part as even to start there was only 50% fertility.

 

[Debbie292d]

Thank you all for taking the time to reply! I’ve taken measures to ensure more accurate humidity and temp for next time around.

Unfortunately both other chicks that hatched also died within a few days. I’m wondering if dodgy genetics also played a part as even to start there was only 50% fertility.

So sorry!

I would try eggs from somewhere else. I sterilize any eggs that I have shipped in to avoid bringing anything into our home.