EPS-001

7/13

Incubating and Hatching Eggs

Gregory S. Archer and A. Lee Cartwright*

W hether eggs come from a common chicken

or an exotic bird, you must store and incu-
bate them carefully for a successful hatch. Envi-
Breeder
Factors that affect hatchability
Hatchery
Breeder nutrition Sanitation
ronmental conditions, handling, sanitation, and
Disease Egg storage
record keeping are all important factors when it
Mating activity Egg damage
comes to incubating and hatching eggs. Egg damage IncubationManagement of
setters and hatchers
Fertile egg quality Correct male and female
body weight Chick handling
A fertile egg is alive; each egg contains living cells Egg sanitation
that can become a viable embryo and then a chick. Egg storage
Eggs are fragile and a successful hatch begins with
undamaged eggs that are fresh, clean, and fertile. Collecting and storing fertile eggs
You can produce fertile eggs yourself or obtain Fertile eggs must be collected carefully and stored
them elsewhere. While commercial hatcheries properly until they are incubated. Keeping the
produce quality eggs that are highly fertile, many eggs at proper storage temperatures keeps the
do not ship small quantities. If you mail order embryo from starting and stopping development,
eggs, be sure to pick them up promptly from your which increases embryo mortality. Collecting
receiving area. Hatchability will decrease if eggs eggs frequently and storing them properly delays
are handled poorly or get too hot or too cold in embryo development until you are ready to incu-
transit. bate them.
If you produce the eggs on site, you must care for
the breeding stock properly to ensure maximum Egg storage reminders
fertility. Egg quality and embryo survival are Store less than 10 days
influenced by hen and sires: Maintain temperature between 55 to 65F
ratio Keep relative humidity at 75 percent
age
Turn eggs stored more than a week
health genetics
Handle eggs with care!
nutrition stress
Cleaning and culling
* Assistant Professor and Extension Poultry Specialist,
Do not incubate eggs that are cracked, misshapen,
Associate Professor and Extension Poultry Specialist, soiled, or unusually small or large. These rarely
The Texas A&M University System hatch andcan potentially contaminate the good
eggs. Do not wash or wipe eggs with a damp cloth. increase the humidity, place a pan of water in the
Doing so can remove the eggs protective layer storage room. It is the surface area of the water
and allow disease and bacteria to enter. It can also influences humidity, not the depth of the water.
spread bacteria from one dirty egg to others. Avoid drafts; these can dry the eggs out even
when humidity is within the appropriate range.
You can gently buff soiled eggs with fine sand
paper but this can also damage the eggs protective
Positioning and turning eggs during storage
coating. It is best to avoid incubating soiled eggs.
If you plan to store eggs for less than ten days
General care before incubating, place them on flats with the
large end up. You do not need to turn the eggs if
Once you have eggs to incubate, avoid damaging
they will be incubated within a week of being laid.
or contaminating them. Wash your hands fre-
You should cover the eggs with a loose material to
quently to remove bacteria from your hands.
keep them clean.
Storage time If you plan to store eggs for more than 10 days,
Eggs should be set as soon after you collect them tilt them from side to side over a 90-degree angle
as possible. Storing eggs for at least three days once or twice daily. You can do this by placing a
helps prepare them for incubation; however, fresh six-inch block under one end of the flat, switching
and stored eggs should not be set together. the end of the flat each day until incubation.

It is best to incubate eggs within 7 to 10 days of Incubation

their being laid. Hatchability decreases rapidly An incubator is basically a box that holds eggs
when eggs are stored for more than 10 days. After while maintaining an appropriate temperature,
7 days, hatchability decreases 0.5 to 1.5 percent humidity, and oxygen level. Incubators have vary-
per day. Each day in storage adds one hour to the ing capacities and adapters for eggs from different
incubation time. species.

Temperature and humidity during storage Popular incubator models often include automatic
Fertile eggs should be stored between 55 and turners, humidifiers, and temperature controllers.
65F. If fertile eggs reach temperatures above Egg turners can usually be purchased separately
72F, embryos will begin to develop abnormally, for incubators that do not include them. Humidi-
weaken, and die. Embryos stored below 46F also fiers can be the type that disperses water vapor as
have high embryo mortality. Room temperature is needed or many smaller incubators use a simple
generally too warm and the refrigerator is too cold water reservoir. Temperature is controlled by older
for storing fertile eggs. If you plan to store eggs in wafer systems or the newer digital thermostats.
a refrigerator, adjust it to an appropriate tempera- Incubators come in forced air or still air versions.
ture. The temperature and humidity in a forced air
Fertile eggs should be stored at 70 to 80 percent incubator is more consistent. They also return to
relative humidity. High humidity can cause con- desired temperature and humidity more quickly
densation to form on the eggshell. This can clog after being opened.
the pores on the eggshell and cause contamination Still air incubators can give inaccurate humidity
the same way washing does. Clogging the pores and temperature readings and the temperature in
can also suffocate the embryo. them can vary considerably. Whenever possible,
Low humidity during storage can make the egg use a forced air incubator. Regardless of incuba-
lose internal moisture and kill the embryo. To tor type, for a successful hatch you must turn the

2
eggs and monitor the temperature, humidity, and The day eggs are set
ventilation. Let stored eggs warm to room temperature for
The incubator should be in a room that has no 4 hours to 8 hours before setting them in the
drafts or direct sunlight; the temperature and incubator. If you place cold eggs in a warm, humid
humidity should be controlled and stable. The incubator, condensation will form on them and
incubator and hatcher should also be isolated lead to possible contamination or suffocation.
from the growing facilities. Newly hatched chicks Once the eggs are in the incubator, do not adjust
can be contaminated by older birds and the dust the temperature or humidity for a few hours,
created by growing birds. Take biosecurity mea- unless the temperature exceeds 102F. After 4
sures to insure the incubator area is not contami- hours, make proper adjustments. The final tem-
nated by older birds. perature should vary only .5 degree above or
Chicks may be hatched in the incubator depend- below 99.5F. The temperature of incubators with-
ing on what type it is; however, hatching creates out circulating fans fluctuates more than incuba-
large amounts of dust and down. Hatching in tors with circulating fans. If the temperature does
a separate unit will keep dust and down from not exceed 102F, the hatch should not be harmed.
contaminating the incubator. Temperature and Set the small end of the egg lower than the large
humidity can also be controlled more easily if you end in the incubator. A developing embryo orients
use separate units for incubating and hatching. so that the head develops toward the air cell,
Regardless of method, you must properly clean which is in the large end of the egg. If the small
and disinfect the incubator and hatcher between end is higher than the large end during incuba-
batches. tion, a chicks head can orient away from the air
cell of the egg and not hatch.
Two to three days before incubation
Sanitize the incubator and run it for several days Set stage
before setting the eggs. This will ensure that the The set stage refers to incubation period up until
incubator is maintaining the proper temperature 2 or 3 days before a hatch. Different species have
and relative humidity before the eggs are set. different incubation periods (Table 1). Incubating
Adjusting the temperature and humidity after the different species together in the same incubator is
eggs are set can decrease hatchability. If you are not recommended, especially if the incubator is
using an automatic turner, test it completely before also used as hatcher.
setting the eggs. The temperature and humidity of
the incubation room should be correct and stable Turning the eggs during incubation prevents
when you set the eggs. Do not set the eggs until the embryo death and unhealthy hatches. Eggs must
temperature and humidity in the incubators and be turned at least five times every 24 hours.
the room are correct and stable. Turning more frequently is better and once per
hour is best. Keep accurate records to ensure the
Cleaning and fumigation eggs are turned three to five times each 24-hour
Microbes in an incubator can significantly reduce period. Failure to turn eggs appropriately results
hatchability. Cleaning and disinfecting equipment in embryo death.
must be standard operating procedures. Disinfect, Turning must continue even through weekends.
incubators, hatchers and their racks with quater- An automatic turner simplifies this task and
nary ammonia or a commercial disinfectant after decreases human error during the incubation
each hatch. process.

3
Table 1. Incubation period to hatch time and when to transfer to hatcher. Temperature and humidity levels for common
birds.
Incubation conditions Hatcher conditions
Days Temperature Humidity Transfer Temperature Humidity
Common name F %RH day F
canary 1314 100.5 5658 11 99 6674
chicken 21 99.5 58 18 98.5 6675
cockatiel 1820 99.5 5862 1518 99 6674
cockatoo 2230 99.5 5862 2027 99 6674
conure (sun) 28 99.5 5862 25 99 6674
conure (various) 2130 99.5 5862 1827 99 6674
dove 14 99.5 58 12 98.5 6675
duck 28 99.5 5862 25 98.5 6675
muscovy duck 3537 99.5 5862 3133 98.5 6675
finch 14 99.5 5862 12 99 6674
Domestic goose 30 99.5 62 27 98.5 6675
geese (various) 2230 99.5 62 2027 98.5 6675
grouse 2425 99.5 5458 22 99 6674
guinea 28 99.5 5458 22 99 6674
lovebird 2225 99.5 5862 2022 99 6674
macaw 2628 99.5 5862 2325 99 6674
mynah 14 100.5 5658 12 99 6674
parakeet 1826 99.5 5862 1523 99 6674
budgerigar 18 99.5 5862 15 99 6674
parrot (various) 1828 99.5 5862 1525 99 6674
parrot (african grey) 28 99.5 5862 25 99 6674
chukar partridge 2324 99.5 62 20 99 6674
peafowl 2829 99.5 5862 2526 98.5 6675
ptarmigan 2123 99.5 5862 1820 99 6674
raven 2021 99.5 5862 1718 99 6674
ring-neck pheasant 2424 99.5 5862 21 99 6674
pheasant 2228 99.5 5862 2025 99 6674
pigeon 1719 100.5 58 14 99 6674
bobwhite quail 23 99.5 5458 21 99 6674
japanese quail 1718 99.5 5862 15 99 6674
swan 3337 99.5 5862 3033 99 6674
turkey 28 99.5 5458 25 98.5 6675
emu 4950 97.5 3240 47 97.5 69
ostrich 42 97.5 3240 39 97.5 69
rhea 3642 97.5 50 3437 97.5 69

4
Temperature, humidity, chicks have adequate oxygen available. Near the
and ventilation of incubator end of the incubation period, the shell nearly filled
with the embryo and a full incubator requires
During the set stage, temperature in the incubator
large amounts of oxygen. Ensure adequate venti-
should be 99.5F to 100F for chickens. Other spe-
lation and monitor wet and dry bulb temperatures
cies have different requirements (Table 1). If the
very carefully during the last third of incubation.
temperature deviates more than 1/2 degree from
100F, a poor hatch is likely. Check the tempera-
ture at least twice a day.
Incubation Reminders
Place the incubator in a room with a constant
Relative humidity should be set at 55 to 60 per- temperature, no drafts or direct sunlight.
cent. If the incubator uses a passive humidity Sanitize the incubator.
control system, add water to the pan or trough Wash hands before touching eggs. Keep germs, dirt
daily to maintain correct humidity levels. If the and oil away from incubating eggs.
Only incubate eggs together from species with similar
humidity in the incubator is too low or too high,
incubation periods.
the hatch will fail. Keep the small end of the egg lower than the large
end.
Insufficient humidity causes:
Record of incubator data daily.
The air cell to be too large at the time of hatch
Ensure that the humidifier is working or that the water
The contents of the egg be too viscous for the pan is filled.
chick to turn Verify humidity levels are between 55 to 60 percent.
The membranes to be too tough to break Check temperature daily and keep it at 99.5F to 100F.
Turn eggs at least 5 times a day until 3 days before
The navel to not close properly
hatch.
Excess humidity will cause: Increase ventilation during the last third of incubation.
Do not turn for the final 3 days. Provide a cloth or
Too little water to evaporate from the egg
rough paper for the chicks to walk on.
The air cell to be too small for the chick to Increase humidity to 65 to 70 percent at hatch stage.
reach during the hatching process
The chick to drown or be too swollen with
water to turn in the egg Record keeping
The yolk sac to be too large for the navel to Record the incubator environment daily (Appen-
close completely dix A). The sample record on page 11 is designed
for use with eggs that hatch after 21 days of
The air cell of the egg should become larger as incubation. You can use records of your hatches
incubation progresses because of the balance to detect malfunctions before a hatch is ruined.
between temperature and humidity during Records of fertility and embryo deaths can also
incubation. Chicken eggs lose 12 percent to 14 alert hatchery managers about problems with
percent of their total weight to evaporation during production, storage, or incubators.
incubation. You can weigh racks of eggs during
incubation to detect problems with humidity and Candling
evaporative loss before a hatch is destroyed. Shining a light through the egg to observe embryo
The chick embryo uses oxygen and produces development is called candling. White or pale
carbon dioxide. This gas exchange is insignificant eggs are easier to candle than dark or speck-
during early incubation or when a small number of led eggs. Many people candle eggs with a small
eggs are incubated; however, follow the manufac- flashlight that can be focused. You can also buy
turers recommendations to assure that developing commercial candlers at reasonable cost.

5
In a dark room, hold the egg to the light of the Keep records of egg infertility or embryo death for
candler to observe the contents of the egg. Cool- reference.
ing that occurs for less than 10 minutes during
Ten percent or more of incubated eggs are infertile.
candling does not harm the embryo. However,
Identifying and removing eggs that are infertile or
even a brief period at 104F kills embryosexpose
dead eliminates possible sources of contamination
the egg to the hot light sources only briefly.
from the incubator. If you have doubts about can-
Embryos can be confirmed easily after 8 to 12 dling, seek expert advice.
days of incubation. The living embryo will appear
as a dark spot in the large end of the egg sur- Hatch stage
rounded by a faint outline of blood vessels. The This stage refers to final 2 to 3 days of incubation
blood vessels will appear firm and distinct. The when chicks hatch out of the shell. Transfer eggs to
embryo appears as dark spot that becomes larger a dedicated hatcher for the last 3 days to 4 days of
as incubation progresses. Eventually you will see incubation and do not turn them. If a hatcher is not
only a dark mass and the air cell. available, remove the eggs from the turner and lay
them in the hatching basket or place them on cloth
In comparison, an infertile or unincubated egg
or rough paper (not newspaper) in the incubator.
transmits light brightly. Dead embryos will some-
Make sure the cloth or paper do not cover vent
times appear as a ring or a smear of blood in the
holes, or touch the water or the heating element.
egg or a dark spot dried to the inside of the shell.
Once it dies, the embryo no longer grows and the During this stage, decrease the temperature 1F
blood system fades. and increase the relative humidity to 65 to 70
percent. You can increase the humidity by adding
You should expect some mortality; however,
a wet sponge or wet paper towels to the incubator.
unusual mortality or certain characteristics of
The chicks should start to pip within a day of the
the mortality can be indicators that you need to
incubation period listed for the species in Table 1.
correct certain practices to improve hatchability.

Table 2. Incubating and hatching egg and chick classification

Culled eggs Cracked, misshapen or otherwise not likely to hatch
Infertile eggs Determined to have no germ. Originally infertile. These eggs are clear during candling and show no
evidence of blood or embryo development.
Early dead Embryos died during the first quarter of incubation. Some of these can be detected and removed during
candling. These eggs would be fertile and could show a dead early embryo, show no development,
development but no blood, or a blood ring.
Middle dead Embryos died after the early (middle third) period but before transfer.
Late dead Embryos died during the hatch phase of incubation.
Malformed Embryos that have an obvious deformity.
Malpositioned Embryos not positioned correctly for hatching.
Live pips Chicks that have pipped and are living, but not hatched.
Dead pips Pipped chicks that died but are not malformed or malpositioned.
Rots Infected or contaminated eggs.
Culled chicks Chicks that hatched but are unsound.
Good chicks Good quality, healthy normal chicks.

6
When chicks hatch cannot hatch on their own usually die. If you help
them and they live, they usually will not thrive.
Hatching requires great effort; the chick is very
Dispose of weaker deformed chicks humanely.
active then takes long rests. The entire process
These chicks should never be used for breeding
takes 10 hours to 20 hours. Do not worry about
because these traits could be transmitted to their
how long a chick takes to hatch unless it takes
young.
more than 20 hours.
Once chicks successfully leave the shell, increase
Eggs that are not hatched 1 day after the predicted
the ventilation in the incubator and leave them in
incubation period should be discarded. Do not
it about 24 hours or until their feathers are dry.
help a chick free itself from the shell; chicks that

Table 3. Possible causes of hatching problems

Observation Possible cause(s) Observation Possible cause(s)
Eggs exploding Dirty eggs Chicks dead after Eggs not turned first 2 weeks
Improperly cleaned eggs pipping Thin-shelled eggs
Dirty incubator Temperature too low during
No embryonic Infertile egg incubation
development Rough handling of eggs Temperature too high during
incubation
Incubation temperature too high
Humidity too low during incu-
Incubation temperature too low
bation
Eggs stored too long
Humidity too high during incu-
Eggs stored improperly bation
Breeders stressed Infection, disease
Too many hens per rooster
Unhealed navel Temperature too low during
Old or unhealthy hens or males
Mushy chicks incubation
Inbreeding
Wide temperature variation in
Disease
incubator
Blood ring Old eggs Humidity too high during incu-
Early dead Incubation temperature too high bation
Incubation temperature too low Poor ventilation
Electric power failure Malformed legs and Improper temperature during
Eggs not turned toes incubation
Inbreeding Improper humidity during
Infection incubation
Poor nutrition of breeders Legs also may be harmed by
Air cell too small Humidity too high hatching or holding chicks

Air cell too large Humidity too low Weak chicks Temperature too high or low
Old eggs
Chicks hatch early, Small eggs
Poor ventilation
dry chicks, bloody Temperature too high
navels, chicks too Humidity too low Gasping chicks Disease: Bronchitis or Newcastle
small disease

Chicks hatch late Large eggs Malpositions Temperature too high or low
Old eggs Turning inadequate
Temperature too low Large end of egg not up when
Humidity too high set
Old or poorly handled eggs
Poor breeder nutrition

7
When more than 90 percent of the chicks are dry, Use the Hatchability and Mortality Record
remove them from the hatcher. Move the chicks (Appendix B) to calculate the percentage fertility,
to a warm brooder and give them water and feed. percentage hatchability, and percentage of total
Leaving chicks in the incubator too long can eggs hatched. These numbers will help in evaluat-
dehydrate them. ing hatch efficiency. Any changes in the mortality
records data are early warnings to correct small
Embryo death problems before they become serious.
Eggs fail to hatch because they are infertile or
Nutrition can be a factor in fertility and hatch-
because the embryo dies. You can candle eggs
ability problems, as recognized by the National
during incubation or examine them after the
Research Council (Appendix C).
hatch to determine what caused them to fail.
Humidity control can sometimes contribute to Resources
these problems.
Professional advice and support
Embryos usually die during the first 3 days of incu- The office of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service
bation or the 3 days immediately before a hatch. in your county listed in the telephone directory
Early embryo death happens when embryonic under the county name.
organs are forming. However, eggs that are fertile
one third of the way through incubation have an 88 Gregory S. Archer
to 90 percent chance of continuing to develop. MS 2472 TAMU
College Station, TX 77843-2472
Death at the end of the incubation process can Telephone: (979) 845-4319
occur because the chick: E-mail: [email protected]
Has difficulty positioning for pipping
PowerPoint presentation: An accompanying slide-
Cannot absorbing the yolk sac
show is available at your local Extension office or
Cannot transition to breathing air the Texas A&M Department of Poultry Science.
Record when embryos die to identify changes you
need to make in the incubation process. A sample
Sources of fertile eggs
record form for hatch and fertility failures is in There are many sources for fertile eggs. Some
Appendix A. sources are convenient and the eggs affordable,
but egg quality and fertility can be a problem.
Examine the eggs that fail to hatch by remov-
ing the top of the egg at the large end. A chick One source of fertile eggs is Texas A&M Uni-
that has developed appropriately in the egg will versity, which will ship as few as 2 dozen fertile
normally have its head under the right wing. The eggs. Prices and other information are subject to
air cell will be large enough to allow the chick to change.
position correctly for hatching. The shell mem- To order fertile eggs from Texas A&M, please
branes should not dry to the chick during hatch. complete and submit the form at http://posc.tamu.
Note any dryness. Note the condition of the beak, edu/fertile-egg-orders
wings, and legs for proper form.
Or contact Dale Hyatt at (979) 845-4367
Carefully classify infertile or dead embryos using
the designations listed in Table 2. All abnormal- No credit cards are accepted. Eggs are sold in
ities should be recorded and analyzed to deter- dozen and half dozen quantities only, with a min-
mine if hatch failure was caused by fertility or imum 2 dozen order. Eggs are $7 per dozen plus a
environmental problems that can be corrected. $3 handling fee per order, plus shipping.

8
Shipping within Texas: Eggs are shipped via Lyon Technologies, Inc.
Greyhound Bus Lines to the nearest bus terminal. 1690 Brandywine Avenue
Chula Vista, CA 91911
Please check with Greyhound for shipping times
(888) 5966-872
between Bryan, Texas and your destination. Ship-
www.lyonusa.com
ping charges vary according to the number of eggs
ordered and the distance from shipping point. McMurray Hatchery
P.O. Box 458
When ordering, request fertile chicken eggs for a
191 Closz Drive
school project. You will be billed at the end of the
Webster City, Iowa 50595
month.
(800) 454-3280
Sources of fertile eggs, incubators, www.mcmurrayhatchery.com
and equipment Meyer Hatchery
Cackle Hatchery 626 State Route 89
PO Box 529 Polk, OH 44866
Lebanon, MO 65536 (888) 568-9755
(417) 532-4581 www.meyerhatchery.com
cacklehatchery.com
Randall Burkey Co., Inc.
Carolina Biological Supply Company 117 Industrial Dr.
P.O. Box 6010 Boerne, TX 78006
Burlington, NC 27216 (800) 531-1097
(800) 334-5551 www.randallburkey.com
www.carolina.com
Strombergs Chicks and Game Birds
GQF Manufacturing Co. P.O. Box 400
2343 Louisville Rd. Pine River, MN 56474
Savannah, GA 31415-1619 (800) 720-1134
(912) 236-0651 www.strombergschickens.com
www.gqfmfg.com
Ridgway Hatcheries, Inc.
Hoffman Hatchery Inc. 615 North High St. Box 306
P.O. Box 129 Larue, OH 43332
Gratz, PA 17030 (740) 499-2163
(717) 365-3694 ridgwayhatchery.com
www.hoffmanhatchery.com
Welp Hatchery
Ideal Poultry P.O. BOX 77
PO Box 591 Bancroft, Iowa 50517
Cameron, TX 76520 (800) 458-4473
(254) 679-6677 www.welphatchery.com
www.ideal-poultry.com
Helpful books
Kemps Incubators
Bird, Egg, Feather, Nest, by Maryjol Koch. Smith-
3560 West 18th Ave.
mark Publishing, 1999.
Eugene, OR 97402
(888) 901-2743 Chicken and Egg, by Christine Back, and Olesen
www.poultrysupply.com Jens. A&C Black Publishers Ltd, 1992.

9
Chicks & Chickens, by Gail Gibbons. Holiday www.4-h.org/Resource-Library/.../Emb-Help-
House, 2005. Guide-Beginner.dwn
Eggs and Chicks, by Fiona Patchett. Usborne www.4-h.org/Resource-Library/.../Emb-Help-
Books, 2007. Guide-Advanced.dwn
Eyewitness Books: Bird, by David Burnie. DK Wall charts
Children., 2008.
Chicken Development, Chart by Carolina
From Egg to Chicken, by Anita Ganeri. Heine- http://www.carolina.com/
man-Raintree, 2006.
Chicken Development, Poster by Wards Natural
From Egg to Chicken, by Gerald Legg. Childrens Science
Press, 1998. http://wardsci.com/
From Egg to Chicken, by Robin Nelson. Lerner Chicken Embryo, by American Educational Prod-
Publications, 2003. ucts, LLC
http://www.amep.com/
See How They Grow: Chick, by Jane Burton. DK
Preschool, 2007. Chicken Embryology, Poster Set by eNasco
http://www.enasco.com/
The Chicken or the Egg?, by Allan Fowler. Chil-
drens Press, 1993. Technical references
Where Do Chicks Come From?, by Amy Sklansky. A Guide to Better Hatching, by Janet Stromberg.
Collins, 2005. Stromberg Publishing Company, 1975.

Websites Hatching Manual, Lyon Electric Company, Inc.

1988.
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/
birds/info/chicken/egg.shtml Practical Incubation, by Rob Harvey. Hancock
House Publishers, 1993.
http://chickscope.beckman.uiuc.edu/resources/
egg_to_chick/development.html http://www.cobb-vantress.com/products/guide-
library/general/hatchery-management-guide

10
Appendix A: Incubator Data Chart

Day# Date Turner Works1 Temperature

Wet Water
1 2 3 Room Incubator Bulb Checked Candling Remarks

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19 xxx xxx xxx

20 xxx xxx xxx

21 xxx xxx xxx

This record is important. Keeping data will help prevent problems from developing during incubation.
1Check the turner three times each day except days 19 through 21. Eggs are not turned on these days.

11
 Appendix B: Hatchability and mortality record

Set Candling Eggs Dead Malformed/ Pips Chicks Percentage

ID # date date Culled Infertile Early Middle Late Malposition Live/Dead Rots Cull Good 1
Fertility Hatch2 Total3

/ /

/ /

/ /

/ /

/ /

/ /

12
/ /

/ /

/ /

/ /

/ /

/ /

This record is important. Keeping data will help identify problems with bird husbandry and incubation.
1Fertility (%) = (Fertile Eggs/Eggs Set) x 100%

2Hatchability (%) = (Good Chicks Hatched/Fertile Eggs) x 100%

3Total Eggs Hatched (%) = (Good Chicks Hatched/Eggs Set) x 100%

Appendix C: Signs of deficiency in the embryo
Nutrient Deficiency signs
Vitamin A Death at about 48 hours of incubation from failure to develop the circulatory system; abnormalities of
kidneys, eyes and skeleton.
Vitamin D Death at about 18 or 19 days of incubation, with malpositions, soft bones, and with a defective upper
mandible prominent.
Vitamin E Early death at about 84 to 96 hours of incubation, with hemorrhaging and circulatory failure (impli-
cated with selenium).
Vitamin K No physical deformities from a simple deficiency, nor can they be provoked by antivitamins, but mor-
tality occurs between 18 days and hatching, with variable hemorrhaging.
Thiamin High embryonic mortality during emergence but no obvious symptoms other than polyneuritis in
those that survive.
Riboflavin Mortality peaks at 60 hours, 14 days, and 20 days of incubation, with peaks prominent early as defi-
(Vitamin B2) ciency becomes severe. Altered limb and mandible development, dwarfism and clubbing of down are
defects expressed by embryo.
Niacin Embryo readily synthesizes sufficient niacin from tryptophan. Various bone and beak malformations
occur when certain antagonists are administered during incubation.
Biotin High death rate at 19 days to 21 days of incubation, parrot beak, chondrodystrophy, several skeletal
deformities and webbing between the toes. Perosis.
Pantothenic acid Deaths appear around 14 days of incubation, although marginal levels may delay problems until emer-
gence. Variable subcutaneous hemorrhaging and edema; wirey down in poults.
Pyridoxine Early embryonic mortality based on antivitamin use.
Folic acid Mortality at about 20 days of incubation. The dead generally appear normal, but may have bent tibi-
otarsus, syndactyly and mandible malformations. In poults, mortality at 26 days to 28 days of incuba-
tion with abnormalities of extremities and circulatory system.
Vitamin B12 Mortality at about 20 days of incubation, with atrophy of legs, edema, hemorrhaging, fatty organs,
and head between thighs malposition.
Manganese Deaths peak prior to emergence. Chondrodystrophy, dwarfism, long bone shortening, head malfor-
mations, edema, and abnormal feathering are prominent. Perosis.
Zinc Deaths prior to emergence, and the appearance of rumplessness, depletion of vertebral column, eyes
underdeveloped and limbs missing.
Copper Deaths at early blood stage with no malformations.
Iodine Prolongation of hatching time, reduced thyroid size, and incomplete abdominal closure.
Iron Low hematocrit; low blood hemoglobin; poor extra-embryonic circulation in candled eggs.
Selenium High incidence of dead embryos early in incubation.

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