Post mortem on egg results

[jennyb]

We placed five eggs from our roo and this three ladies in the incubator 22 days ago. I only candled at 10 days and all were fertile. We have had four fairly successful hatches in this machine. (50%). The hydrometer readings got wonky. It just dropped 40 degrees all at once. We assumed it wasn't working right and added enough water that there was condensation on the 'bator window. We had one very fast hatch yesterday, perfect bird. The other four, nada. I candled then to mark the air pocket. Today the line was the same, so I pipped in and the membranes were all dry like plastic, but the fully-formed chick inside (yolk sucked in and everything!) were still moist but dead. I looked like one had gone to work on the membrane but never made it through. No smell. These chicks were Easter-Egger and some kind of barred hen from the hatchery rarest of the rare collection. (Never could quite figure her out.)

Advice? Ideas? We are putting in another bunch tomorrow.

Jen

 

[Fire Ant Farm]

Maybe post it on this thread, and someone may have an idea? Lots of hatching experience over there. (It's been slower than normal, but someone will likely have an idea.)

EDUCATIONAL INCUBATION & HATCHING, w/ Sally Sunshine. Hosts, BantyChooks and more!

 

[jennyb]

Thanks!