Still births

[clayboy]

I have 3 German Bielefelders hens that are sitting together on one nest. After 25 days I checked the nest and there were 3 eggs that hatched, but all 3 were dead. At 28 days another hatched that was dead also. Had a hatch earlier this year with one of the hens sitting the nest and all survived. Any idea what caused the deaths this time?

 

[sourland]

In my experience multiple large fowl hens co brooding results in reduced hatch and survival rates of chicks. Bantams or smaller hens seem to do better with co brooding. I think the problem with large fowl hens is that in competing for eggs and chicks they inadvertently step on and kill them. Next time you might try setting the hens up with separate nest sites. Good luck.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I have 3 German Bielefelders hens that are sitting together on one nest. After 25 days I checked the nest and there were 3 eggs that hatched, but all 3 were dead. At 28 days another hatched that was dead also. Had a hatch earlier this year with one of the hens sitting the nest and all survived. Any idea what caused the deaths this time?

In the same nest??

Staggered hatch is often detrimental to all involved... chicken eggs only take approximately 21 days to hatch.

Ambient temperature above 100 degrees would likely cause embryonic problem. My favorite incubation resource used for an incubator but still relevant to possible cause of embryonic failure, That section starts at page 52-ish...
Incubation guide

One more...
Hatchability Problem

otherwise.. parent nutrition/age, inbreeding, etc.. any number of possibilities.


If they hatched they were not still born they would have died from internal organs not being developed fully once relying on food and water about 3 days after hatch.. dehydration/starvation if not led to resources, or flock antics.

Bets wishes for answers and happier and hatching!