Advanced Trouble Shooting



Embryo mortality (Death)
Unsuccessful hatches can be caused by infertile eggs embryo mortality. Each of these conditions can be diagnosed after candling and after vandling and after hatch. Examine eggs that do not hatch to estimate whether infertility or embryo death in the basis for hatch failure. Keep records of the time of embryo death; such records can suggest changes in husbandry that can increase profitability. A sample record form for hatch and fertility failures is in Appendix B.
Embryo death predominately occurs at two periods during incubation: within the first 3 days of incubation and within the last 3 days immediately before a hatch.
Early embryo death occurs during formation of embryonic organs. Of all the eggs determined to be fertile by candling at one third of incubation, 88 percent to 93 percent should continue to develop.

Possible causes of hatching problems



Observation Possible causes
No embryonic development Eggs stored improperly
Breeders stressed
Too many hens per rooster
Old or unhealthy hens or males
Disease
Bloodring
Early dead
Dead embryos, second week
Old eggs
Incubation temperature too high
Incubation temperature too low
Incubation Humidity too high
Incubation Humidity too low
Electric power failure
Eggs not turned Infection
Poor nutrition of breeding
Air cell too small Humidity too high
Air cell too large Humidity too low
Chicks hatch early
Dry chicks
Bloody navels
Chicks too small
Small eggs
Temperature too high
Humidity too low
Chicks hatch late Large eggs
Old eggs
Temperature too low
Humidity too high
Chicks dead after pipping shell Eggs not turned first 2 weeks
Thin- shelled eggs
Incorrect temperature during incubation
Temperature too high during incubation
Humidity too high during incubation
Humidity too low during incubation
Infection, disease
Unhealed naval
Mushy or water-logged chicks
Temperature too low during incubation
Wide temperature variation in incubator
Humidity too high during incubation
Poor ventilation
Malformed legs and toes Improper Temperature during incubation
Improper humidity during incubation
Legs also may be harmed by hatching or holding chicks on a smooth surface
Weak chicks Temperature too high or low
Old eggs
Poor ventilation
Gasping chicks Disease
Bronchitis
Newcastle disease
malpositions Temperature too high during or low
Turning inadequate
Large end of egg not up when set
Old or poorly handled eggs
Poor breeder nutrition



  Fast Trouble Shooting

If the eggs pip or hatch a day or more early , and the hatch results were poor among the fertile eggs then the temperature is too warm by ½ to 1 degree. If the eggs piped or hatched a day or more late , and the hatch results were poor among the fertile eggs then the temperature was too cool by ½ to 1 degree .if fertile eggs piped or hatched on correct day but the hatch was poor then the humidity probably needs to be adjusted .



PROBLEM CAUSE NOTES
Many clear eggs. No blood rings .(determined by candling or opening eggs) 1 .infertility
2 .Eggs too old or too dirty to set .
3 . Embryo died early. Either before incubation or 1 to 2 days after .
1.No males or too few.
2.Eggs should be no older than 14 days .
3.Rough handling and/or temperature extremes before or just after setting .
Sight blood rings in most eggs 1.Improper temperature before or just after setting .
2.Improper handling .
1.Eggs to be stored small end down with room temperature 60 to 80 F.
2.Check for temperature in incubator .
Many dead immature chicks . 1.Improper temperature in the incubator.
2.Improper or lack of turning of eggs.
3.Insufficient oxygen .
4.Improper feeding of flock or breeding .
1.check temperature settings and for next hatch .
2.Eggs to be turned at least once a day (multiple times better) .
3.Full ventilation may be required at higher altitudes. Never cut out fresh air flow .
Many chicks fully formed in shells with only some hatching or piping 1 or more days early 1.Incubator setting is too warm (1/2 to 1*1/2 F) 1.Reduce setting slightly for next hatch on the same thermometer in the same location .
Many chicks fully formed in shells with only some hatching or piping on the expected hatch date. 1.Incubator settings is too cool (1/2 to 1-1/2 F). 1 . Increase settings slightly for next hatch on the same thermometer in the same location .
Many chicks fully formed in shells with only some hatching or piping on the expected hatch date . 1.Humidity incorrect in the incubator .
2.Incubator door opened too frequently during hatch .
3.Insufficient oxygen .
1.Check air sack of eggs .if too large, increase humidity. If too small, decrease humidity.
2.For precise humidity use gram scale to determine proper weight loss . many eggs require 13% loss .
Chicks fully formed but none hatched or piped . 1.Temperature setting too extreme .
2.Sudden and prolonged temperature change at time of hatch .
3.Insufficient oxygen .
1.Check accuracy of thermostat or thermometer .
2.Check operator procedure for type of eggs .
3.Check to see vents are not completely closed .