Why do some chicks die late in the game?

[karri25]

I am just wondering if any chick geniuses know why this occurs. The last time I hatched out eggs I had 8 silkie eggs. Two hatched, two were clear, 1 rotted, and 3 were almost fully grown and dead????? I switched to a new incubator this time and I'm hoping that this doesn't happen again but I hear this a lot on different threads. Maybe we can all pool our thoughts on this. It is just ridiculously sad when that happens:-(

 

[speckledhen]

Here is a troubleshooting guide that addresses that somewhat:
http://groups.msn.com/CHICKENCHRONICLES/troubleshootingforspecificincubatorproblemsbasic.msnw

 

[BantyChickMom]

some breeds have lethal gene combinations that result in death shortly before hatch.
I'm not sure about silkies but japanese run the risk of the
lethal creeper gene (for short legs) that cause death in the embryos a few days before hatching

I'm not too familiar with genetics but hopefully this helps you a little.

 

[karri25]

Oh my goodness I am going to check out those link sright now. But I didn't know about the japanese?!?!?!?!?!? I have been looking for some eggs to hatch or some chicks b/c my son LOVES the white tails and has been begging me for some. I am glad for the head sup. i would just be devestated if I had an incubator full of dead chicks:-(

 

[jenichick]

I was wondering this myself, since I had a couple die in the shell and never pip. Thanks for the link!

 

[karri25]

Yes, that link is awesome!!!!!!