Observation Possible Causes

Eggs exploding Bacterial contamination of eggs Dirty eggsImproperly washed eggsIncubator infection

Clear eggs Infertile Eggs held improperlyToo much egg fumigationVery early embryonic mortality

Analyzing poor hatchability

Conti… Bloodring (embryonic death, 2-4

days) HereditaryDiseased breeding flockOld eggsRough handling of hatching eggsElectric power failure Eggs not turned Incubating temperature too highIncubating temperature too low

Contii…

Blood RingInChicken

Conti…

Dead embryos second week of incubationInadequate breeder ration Disease in breeder flockEggs not cooled prior to incubation Temperature too high in incubator Temperature too low in incubator Too much CO2 in air (inadequate ventilation)

Conti… Air cell too small

Inadequate breeder rationLarge eggsHumidity too high, 1 to 19 days

Air cell too large Small eggs Humidity too low, 1 to 19 days

Chicks hatch early Small eggsLeghorn eggs versus meat-type eggsIncorrect thermometer Temperature to high, 1 to 19 daysHumidity too low, 1 to 10 days

Conti… Chicks hatch late

Variable room temperature Large eggs Old eggsIncorrect thermometer Temperature to low, 1 to 19 daysHumidity too high, 1 to 19 daysTemperature too low in hatcher

Fully developed embryo with beak no in air cellInadequate breeder rationTemperature too high, 1 to 10 daysHumidity too high, nineteenth day

Conti..

Fully developed embryo with beak in air cellInadequate breeder ration Incubator air circulation poor Temperature too high, 20 to 21 daysHumidity to high, 20 to 21 days

Chicks pipping earlyTemperature too high, 1 to 19 daysHumidity too low, 1 to 19 days

Conti..

Chicks dead after pipping shellInadequate breeder rationDisease in breeder flock Eggs incubated small end upEggs not turned first 2 weeksEggs transferred too lateInadequate air circulation, 20 to 21 daysCO2 content of air too high, 20 to 21 daysIncorrect temperature, 1 to 19 daysTemperature too high, 20 to 21 daysHumidity too low, 20 to 21 daysThin-shelled eggs & Lethal genes

Conti…

Malpositions Inadequate breeder rationEggs set small end upOdd-shaped eggs setInadequate turning

Sticky chicks (albumen sticking to chicks)Eggs transferred too lateTemperature too high, 20 to 21 daysHumidity too low, 20 to 21 daysDown collectors not adequate

Conti…

Sticky chicks (albumen sticking to down)Old eggsAir speed too slow, 20 21 daysInadequate air in incubatorTemperature too high, 20 to 21 daysHumidity too high, 20 to 21 daysDown collection not adequate

Chicks too largeLarge eggsHumidity too high, 1 to 19 days

Conti…

Chicks too smallEggs produced in hot weather Small eggsThin, porous egg shellsHumidity too low, 1 to 19 days

Trays not uniform in hatch or chick qualityEggs from different breeds Eggs of different sizesEggs of different ages when setDisease or stress in some breeder flocksInadequate incubator air circulation

Conti…

Soft chicksUnsanitary incubator conditions Temperature too low, 1 to 19 daysHumidity too high, 20 to 21 days

Chicks dehydrated Eggs set too early Humidity too low, 20 to 21 daysChicks left in hatcher too long after hatching completed

Mushy chicks Unsanitary incubator conditions

Contii..

Unhealed navel, dry Inadequate breeder rationTemperature too low, 20 to 21 daysWide temperature variations in incubator Humidity too high, 20 to 21 daysHumidity not lowered after hatching completed

Unhealed navel, wet, and odorous OmphalitisUnsanitary hatchery and incubators

Conti…

Chicks cannot standBreeder ration inadequate Improper temperature, 1 to 21 daysHumidity too high, 1 to 19 daysInadequate ventilation, 1 to 21 days

Crippled chicks Inadequate breeder rationVariation in temperature, 1 to 21 daysMalpositions

Conti..

Crooked roes Inadequate breeder rationImproper temperature, 1 to 21 days

Spaddle legsHatchery trays too smooth

Short down Inadequate breeder rationHigh temperature, 1 to 10 days

Conti..

Closed eyes Temperature too high, 20 to 21

daysHumidity too low, 20 to 21 daysLoose down in hatcher Down collectors not adequate