5 Reasons Why Eggs Didn't Hatch | Incubation Problems!

Summary

In this video, Kendra from Plowman's Backyard shares five key reasons why eggs might not hatch, based on her recent experience with a disappointing hatch rate. The causes include infertile eggs, no signs of life during candling, rotten eggs, low humidity at the lockdown stage, and shrink-wrapped chicks that can’t hatch. Kendra offers practical tips on preventing these issues, like ensuring proper mating, candling eggs at different stages, maintaining the right temperature and humidity, and avoiding inbreeding. She encourages viewers to keep trying and learn from setbacks, reinforcing that not every hatching year will be perfect.

Takeaways

• 😀 Fertility issues in eggs can arise due to an imbalance in the number of roosters, roosters fighting, or poor nutrition in your flock.
• 😀 Candling eggs is crucial to check for signs of life during incubation, especially in the first week, to identify potential issues like improper temperature or inbreeding.
• 😀 Inbreeding in chickens can affect egg fertility, so it’s important to introduce new blood into your flock periodically to prevent fertility problems.
• 😀 Rotten eggs can result from improper temperature or humidity levels, leaving eggs too long before incubating, or insufficient ventilation in the incubator.
• 😀 It's essential to incubate eggs within 7 days of being laid for better hatch rates. Storing eggs for longer periods may reduce the chances of successful hatching.
• 😀 Poor ventilation in the incubator can lead to a lack of oxygen for the embryos, causing them to die or not develop properly.
• 😀 Regular egg turning (ideally 3-4 times a day) is necessary for proper development. Failure to turn eggs can result in stagnant embryos and reduced hatch rates.
• 😀 Insufficient humidity during the lockdown stage (around day 18) can result in eggshells becoming too hard, preventing the chicks from hatching.
• 😀 Low humidity during the final stages of incubation can cause shrink-wrapping, where the chick is unable to fully emerge from its egg despite being fully developed.
• 😀 Regular candling at multiple stages of incubation (days 5, 10, and 18) allows you to track progress and pinpoint when things may go wrong, such as temperature or humidity issues.
• 😀 Even experienced hatchers can have off years with low hatch rates. It’s important to remain patient, learn from mistakes, and keep trying, as each year can be different.

Q & A

What is one common reason why eggs don't hatch in an incubator?

One common reason is infertility. This can be caused by factors such as having too few or too many roosters, old or sterile roosters, or poor nutrition in the flock. Additionally, roosters can sometimes fight with each other rather than mating, leading to infertile eggs.

How can you check for signs of life in incubating eggs?

You can use a process called candling. This involves shining a light through the eggs to check for signs of life, such as developing veins or movement. If there's no sign of life after the first week, it may indicate issues like improper nutrition or overheating.

What is the impact of inbreeding in chickens on egg hatching?

Inbreeding can lead to infertility or weak hatch rates. It's important to bring in new blood by introducing new roosters to prevent inbreeding, especially if you've been using the same rooster for several years.

Why might a rotten egg appear in an incubator?

A rotten egg can result from improper temperature or humidity levels in the incubator. It can also happen if eggs are stored too long before incubation, as eggs should ideally be used within seven days of being laid to reduce the risk of rot.

What can cause a chick to die even if it’s fully developed?

This could happen if the humidity levels were too low during the hatching process. Low humidity can cause the eggshell to become too tough, preventing the chick from breaking free. This is known as the 'shrink wrap' chick phenomenon.

How can you improve the hatch rate by handling eggs before incubation?

To improve your hatch rate, it’s recommended to use fresh eggs that are no more than seven days old. Eggs should be stored properly to prevent them from becoming rotten, and they should be incubated within a reasonable time frame.

What should you check during the lockdown stage of incubation?

During the lockdown stage, around day 18, you should ensure that the humidity level is high enough to soften the eggshell and prepare the membrane for hatching. This helps the chick break through the egg more easily.

Why is it important to turn the eggs during incubation?

Turning the eggs helps prevent the chick from becoming stuck to the membrane inside the egg. If the eggs are not turned enough, it can negatively affect the development of the chick, leading to poor hatch rates.

What should you do if a chick is struggling to hatch but is alive?

If a chick is struggling to hatch, you can carefully assist it, but you must be very gentle. If the membrane is dry, the chick might be stuck inside. You should ensure high humidity levels at this stage and allow the chick time to gain strength before helping it out.

What does Kendra recommend for monitoring the progress of eggs during incubation?

Kendra recommends candling the eggs at different stages, such as day 5-6, day 9-10, and day 18 during lockdown. This helps track the progress and identify any issues that might arise, like problems with temperature, humidity, or fertility.