Why do they pip at the wrong end?

[TAMMACLEAN]

Last year I hatched chicks in my homemade incubator with pretty much no problems. This year I lost all but 1 of 50 eggs. I did have some humidity issues the first time. Now that's all fixed. Humidity is where it should be and in on day 22. About 2 dozen eggs in and they all looked good on day 18. Even took a quick candle this morning to make sure they were okay and the couple I grabbed looked good. Could see them trying to pip. Now my problem is 3 have pipped but they have ALL pipped at the wrong end!! I had one last time do this too. I had them in egg cartons but took them out when I saw the first one. Any idea why they do this?? I'm pretty sure one if them won't make it because I see some blood. It's just really odd.

 

[TAMMACLEAN]

So to add to this, I have ended up with 4 Cochin/Silkie cross and 1 olive egger out of 2 dozen eggs. A couple other eggs tried to hatch but didn't make it. I still have a few left and in giving them untill Sunday night, which will be day 26. Every one of them has pipped at the wrong end?!?? Why? Maybe I need an automatic turner? I have eggs coming at the begging of April so if anyone has any ideas, I'm all ears. Thanks!

 

[sumi]

There are a few factors that can cause this problem. Most of the time it's because the eggs were set incorrectly in the incubator, i.e. pointy end of the egg is up or slightly higher than the fat end.

Another factor is inadequate turning of the eggs during incubation. Frequent turning of the eggs helps the embryo position itself correctly and during the last 3 days the eggs should not be turned at all as this is when the chick gets into position to hatch and pip in the air sac at the beginning of the hatching process.

And another factor causing malpositioned chicks/embryos is inadequate moisture loss of the egg during incubation. Eggs should lose between 11% and 14% of their weigh during the incubation process. Too high humidity causes the egg to lose too little moisture resulting in an air sac that is too small and a chick that is too big to manoeuvre itself round the egg in order to pip, zip and hatch.

 

[TAMMACLEAN]

Thanks.

I thought I was doing everything right. My first hatches turned out okay. I know that my previuos hatch was bad because I couldn't keep the humidity up.

This time I stored the eggs pointy side down for no longer than 7 days. I put a book under one side at a time while collecting eggs and moved it 3 times a day. Once in teh incubator I turned them 3 times a day and the humidity stayed between 35%-40% and the temp was 99-100.

On day 18 I bumped the humidity up to between 65%-75% with them temp staying the same. I also stopped turning the eggs.

Any ideas on what I might be doing wrong? Is my humidity okay? Or is it to high or to low? I welcome any help. These were suppose to be sold but my state requires that 6 must be sold at a time unless they are over 8 weeks old. I had people interested in some but I guess not this time.

 

[sumi]

Your humidity was ballpark for a dry incubation, which usually produces very good hatch rates. Unless you live at a very high altitude. At high altitudes it's better to incubate at higher humidity. Can you remember what it was during your previous hatches? Have you candled and checked the air sac during incubation?

Also, this may or may not be the cause, but how old are your hens that you got the eggs from? Older hens' eggs sometimes have issues like malpositioned embryos. And their feeding? Are they being fed a proper ration with all their required nutrients?

 

[Bill 101]

If your eggs are not hatching on day 21, maybe piping on day 20, your temperature is to low.. I always run humidity at 50-54% during incubation, upping it to 70-75% the last 3 days. I use a wet bub for humidity readings. Humidity adjustments were made higher-lower depending on the size of the air cell. Your saying your humidity was between 65-75%, that's quite a range, can you get more accurate than that?
Are the eggs oval? ie: is the smaller end really obvious? Anytime I had eggs pip on the wrong end & knew on day 18 that the air cell was on the wrong end & made sure that the air cell end was elevated, most made it out on their own.

 

[TAMMACLEAN]

Your humidity was ballpark for a dry incubation, which usually produces very good hatch rates. Unless you live at a very high altitude. At high altitudes it's better to incubate at higher humidity. Can you remember what it was during your previous hatches? Have you candled and checked the air sac during incubation?

Also, this may or may not be the cause, but how old are your hens that you got the eggs from? Older hens' eggs sometimes have issues like malpositioned embryos. And their feeding? Are they being fed a proper ration with all their required nutrients?

I'm pretty sure the humidity was the same before. Although it was during the summer last time. This time it's winter so I'm not sure if it is the weather or not. I did candle and everything seemed just fine. Even on day 18. There was plenty of movement.

My hens are all just under a year old. And the last batch had eggs that I purchased through someone here.

I'm pretty sure they are getting everything they need. They get plenty of layer feed with scratch and BOSS. It's fermented feed. They also get treats two to three times a week.

And I'm not at a high altitude either. I'm just confused. This is a homemade incubator too.

Thanks for any help and ideas.

 

[sumi]

I'm afraid I'm lost now... The only other possibilities are that the eggs you set were old (2 weeks +) or that it's a genetic problem. Sorry I couldn't help more.

 

[TAMMACLEAN]

Thanks for trying. I will just keep trying.

 

[sumi]

You got to, hey? My first incubation hatch was such a disaster, but I still tried again and the next time was better. If you haven't already have a look at this article on incubation:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/hatching-eggs-101

It's a very interesting, informative read. I think you will enjoy it. Good luck with your future hatches!