Turkey hatching difficulties

[gabeweeks]

I have had a number of turkeys eggs that have died either just before piping, or just after. All with yolk left to be absorbed. The one that piped and died looked like he gave himself a hernia, the ones that have died before piping all look the same with there head sticking though the internal membrane/sac, and an un-absorbed yolk. Could this be a humidity or possibly temp problem? Hate asking rookie questions but its getting disheartening at this point. I'd appreciate any ideas.


Gabriel Weeks

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Is hatching on time, early, late or protracted? That will point us to the direction.
There can be many causes but one must insure temperature and humidity are consistently correct. Those measuring devices need to be calibrated to take out those variables. Rather than measuring humidity, I weigh eggs to make sure weight loss is correct, then all I have to do is worry about temperature.
Other problems to consider is adequate turning, especially in the first 12 days. Also, breeder nutrition, especially hens for a couple weeks before egg collection.
Unhealed navels can be from either high, low or widely fluctuating temperatures or inadequate breeder nutrition.

 

[gabeweeks]

They one that atcually managed to break the shell piped late day 27, the others I died around day 27 as well. Temp should be correct as I spent quite a bit of time finding and buying then testing thermometers. I am unsure of how to get accurate humidity readings so I air on the side of caution keeping it probably a little dry. I'll have to research the weight trick mentioned. The eggs are getting turned manually twice a day, but I hurry along to try and not temperature shock them. The eggs are coming from my flock which get a mix of purina game bird, and free roam about half the day. They should be healthy, and they act as such but who knows maybe something's off.

edit- The first egg where he had started to pip was real bloody, noticed blood around the hole he made. When he died I took a look and the inner membrane still had darker red veins going through it.

 

[CapricornFarm]

I would try turning more than twice a day. What temperature and humidity were you aiming for?

 

[gabeweeks]

Roger, temp I'm running at 100.5 but at times it goes to about 101. Humidity is a little more difficult for me, but im shooting for between 30 and 55%. I now have two incubators running going try and see if maybe there's an anomaly there too.