So many dead in egg

[LLvida]

Such a sad morning. I externally pipped a few eggs yesterday as half my incubator hatched in day 20 and it was day 22. Today on day 23 I started gently to assist hatch/egg investigate.

Out of 15 eggs only 5 seem to be duds and maybe 2 were underdeveloped and maybe 1 with an issue.

All the rest were gorgeous babies that never could hatch. I saw a few internal pips but the others didn’t even seem like they could.

I feel absolutely terrible. Like I murdered all these babies. I don’t think I will ever incubate again

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Don't beat yourself up. You are learning. The early hatch is most likely due to high incubation temperature. It can also be caused by inadequate turning the first 12 days, low humidity, poor ventilation, breeder nutritional deficiencies or prolonged egg storage.

 

[LLvida]

That’s very kind. Is it normal to have the second half die in the shell if the first half opened early? Almost all the ones that didn’t open were my dark marans/maran blends.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Most eventualities are normal in incubation and poultry in general.

 

[TheFatBlueCat]

Even broody hens don't always get good hatch rates. Since they were from one particular breed there may have been issues you had no control over before you even got the eggs. I am happy with hatch rates of 50% and above

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I don’t think I will ever incubate again

There are MANY reasons for quitters. My favorite hatching resource includes the cause of embryonic mortality (before hatching) starting around page 51 and other chick hatch issues there after..

https://www.hubbardbreeders.com/media/incubation_guideen__053407700_1525_26062017.pdf

ETA: proper link