Common problems and corrective measures

Greyling Wentzel

The information listed below includes the more common symptoms for incubation failures, the causes for each symptom, and the recommended corrective measures. Symptoms of incubation/breeder management problems include: 

1: Clear eggs with no development (infertile)

Probable causes   Action 
Wrong proportion of males to females Check mating ratios according to breeder’s recommendations
Male is undernourished Follow a recommended feeding program to provide adequate nutrition
Interference among males during mating Do not use too many males; always rear breeding males together; erect temporary solid partitions between breeding pens or inside large pens
Damaged combs and wattles among males See that housing is comfortable and proper drinking fountains are provided for breeding pens
Male is too old Replace old birds
Male is sterile Replace with another male
Eggs kept too long or under the wrong conditions before setting Do not keep hatching eggs longer than seven days; store them in a cool temperature (10 - 15.6°C) at relative humidity around 60%

 

2: Blood rings, which indicate very early embryonic death

Probable causes   Action 
Incubator temperature too high or low Calibrate incubator thermostat. See temperature calibration article 
Improper breeder nutrition Feed breeders a diet with balanced nutrient levels
Eggs kept too long or under the wrong conditions before setting Do not keep hatching eggs longer than seven days; store them in a cool temperature (10 - 15.6°C) at relative humidity around 60%

  

3: Many dead-in-shell

Probable causes   Action 
Incubator temperature too high or low Check thermometers, thermostats and electricity supply; follow manufacturer’s instructions
Eggs not properly turned Turn the eggs regularly at least three times a day
Improper nutrition of breeders Feed breeders a diet with balanced nutrient levels
Improper ventilation Increase ventilation in room, but avoid drafts
Infectious diseases Use eggs only from healthy stock; check that hatchery hygiene is sound and carried out regularly

 

4: Piped eggs failing to hatch

Probable causes   Action 
Insufficient moisture in the incubator Increase the humidity during hatching period. Mist eggs twice a day during hatching period.
Too much moisture at earlier stages See humidity article 
Improper nutrition of breeders Feed breeders a diet with balanced nutrient levels

  

5: Hatching

1) Hatching too soon

Probable causes   Action 
Incubator's temperature too high Calibrate incubator thermostat. See temperature calibration article 

2) Hatching too late

Probable causes  Action 
Incubator's temperature too low Calibrate incubator thermostat. See temperature calibration article

 3) Sticky chicks

Probable causes   Action 
Incubator's temperature probably too high Calibrate incubator thermostat. See temperature calibration article 

 

6: Malformed chicks

Probable causes    Action 
Incubator's temperature too high or too low Calibrate incubator thermostat. See temperature calibration article 
Eggs set incorrectly or not properly turned after setting Set eggs with small end down. Turn eggs at least three times a day

 

7: Spraddling chicks 

Probable causes   Action 
Hatching trays too smooth  Use wire-meshed tray floors or cover slippery floors with burlap or other similar material 

  

8: Problems with your Chicks

1) Weak chick

Probable causes  Action 
Incubator or hatching unit overheating Calibrate incubator thermostat. See temperature calibration article 
Setting small eggs Set only standard or large sized eggs

2) Small chick

Probable causes   Action 
Too little moisture in incubator See humidity article

3) Heavy breathing chicks

Probable causes   Action 
Too much moisture in hatcher See humidity article  
Possibly infectious disease Send chicks to a veterinary laboratory for diagnosis
Low average temperature during period of incubation Calibrate incubator thermostat. See temperature calibration article 

4) Mushy chicks 

Probable causes   Action 
Incubator has poor ventilation Omphalitis (navel infection)
Improper ventilation Increase ventilation in room, but avoid drafts

 

9: Hatch not coming off evenly

Probable causes  Action 
Setting eggs too diverse in age or size

Set eggs at least once a week and never retain hatching eggs longer than 10 days before setting; incubate only average-size eggs