Why Did Eggs Pip, But No Chicks Hatched?

Often eggs in your incubator will be pipped or cracked, but the chicks just don’t hatch. There are many factors that contribute to this. Following is a list of these…

Causes Of Eggs Not Hatching

• Thin or porous shelled eggs.
• Improper storage of eggs before incubation, which may cause  embryos to be positioned wrong. Store big end up and turn 3 times daily. Store at about 60 degrees.
• Eggs not turned during the first two weeks of incubation.
• Temperature is incorrect, too low for start of incubation or too high prior to hatching time.
• Humidity incorrect, too high for the start of incubation or too low prior to hatching.
• Insufficient water in water trays or channels.
• Bad ventilation – keep the vents open.
• Infection or disease caused by a bad egg or dirty incubator that wasn’t properly cleaned and disinfected.

Tips To Make Sure Eggs Hatch Every Time

• Choose incubation eggs carefully.
• Avoid incubating eggs that have thin or porous shells. Check carefully for cracks in eggs. Sometimes they are hairline and hard to see.
• If keeping eggs prior to incubation then store in the correct conditions and position.
• Turn eggs regularly prior to and during incubation (no egg turning in final three days of incubation). /li>
• Make sure eggs are stored and placed in the incubator with the small end facing down.
• Regularly check the temperature in the incubator.
• Try to maintain the correct temperature in the incubator at all times. Check it every couple hours if possible.
• Regularly check the humidity in the incubator.
• Try to maintain the correct humidity levels in the incubator at all time. Check it every couple hours if possible.
• Note that the required temperature and humidity levels are not the same throughout the whole of the incubation period.
• A wet bulb thermometer may be a good purchase to help accurately measure the humidity and temperature levels in the incubator. Check your hygrometer to make sure it is accurate.
• Check that the incubator is working correctly and has a constant temperature throughout the whole of the incubator. Do this before adding eggs and run at least 24 hours to make sure it stays consistent.
• Make sure that there is ventilation in the incubator and incubation room, but avoid drafts. A room with a thermostat is ideal.
• Check that breeding stock are healthy and free of infection and disease.
• Ensure that the incubator is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected prior to every use.

If you have any additional tips on hatching eggs, please leave them in a comment below.