Breedng Chickens: Incubation Problems

Artificial incubation of chicken eggs is generally straightforward and trouble free, especially with modern digital incubators which keep incubating conditions within very narrow parameters.

However, it is rare to have a 100% success rate and even commercial outfits rarely have a success rate of more than about 80%.
If your success rate is anything close to this you are doing well and are obviously getting things right.

From time to time you may encounter problems during artificial incubation, some of which are included in the following table. You can expect at some stage that things will go wrong so use it as a quick reference in the event they do.

Incubation Problems in Chickens
Quick Reference Table

Symptom	Likely Cause
Delayed Hatching Eggs don't start to pip or show signs of hatching untill after the 21st day of incubation	1) Temperature in the incubator is set slightly too low.
Early Hatch Chicks navels may also appear bloody	1) Incubation temperature is set too high
Extended or Draggy Hatch Some of the eggs early or on time but the hatch overall is slow	1) Incubation temperature is set too high
Eggs Hatch but Chick Sticks to Shell The eggs hatch as normal but the chicks feathers appear stuck to the shell and the chick struggles to free itself Eggs are Pipped but Don't Hatch i.e The chick has pecked a hole through the shell but fails to emerge-Dead in the shell	1) Low temp during incubation 2) Low humidity during incubation 3) Humidity too low during the hatch 4) Brief spike in temp at any time during incubation
Embyo dies before it fully develops Partially formed chick dead in the shell	1) Poor quality breeding stock (genetics) 2) Eggs havent been adequetly turned during incubation 3) Incorrect temp settings in the incubator 4) Lack of adequate ventilation in the incubator
Eggs Appear Clear When Candled No visible signs of any development after a period of incubation	1) Eggs are infertile (rooster not present) 2) Eggs stored for too long or stored too cold before incubation (Eggs should be stored between 40 and 80°F and ideally for no longer than about 7 days)
Chicks Are Crippled on Hatching New born chicks appear to have difficulty standing or walking	1) Eggs sourced from poor quality breeding stock (genetics) 2) Incubation temperature set too high

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Breedng Chickens: Incubation Problems

Incubation Problems in Chickens Quick Reference Table

Incubation Problems in Chickens
Quick Reference Table