Probable Cause Corrective Measures High incubation temperatures Follow recommended incubation temperatures. Check equipment for proper function. Guard against electrical surges or high incubator room temperatures. Improper egg storage Store eggs at 50-60 degrees F. and 60% R.H. Turn at least 3 times daily.

Avian Incubation and Hatching

Assisting the hatch is a difficult decision, and in this author's experience, many aviculturists will do more harm than good by assisting the hatch. Normally the chick will hatch 24-48 hours after drawdown has occurred. By making a pin hole in the egg shell over the air cell, the carbon dioxide level will drop, actually slowing the hatch. Making a pin-hole or opening the air cell end of the egg should only be done if the vocalization level of the hatching chick is decreasing or other signs indicating that the chick is in trouble are evident (for example, if the chick does not pip into the air cell).

The problems related to DIS are quite complex and are beyond the scope of this manuscript. DIS eggs should be examined by an avian veterinarian to determine the cause of death. This author strongly believes that every DIS egg or dead bird is valuable, both to the avicultural veterinarian and to the breeder, because the cause of death may pinpoint management areas or sub-clinical disease in the aviary, incubator or nursery.

Incubation and hatching are two areas of avian medicine that are not easy to consult aviculturists on, unless you, the veterinarian, have a good, working knowledge of theriogenology. It may be worthwhile for you to consider purchasing an inexpensive incubator, and actually go through the process of incubating and hatching some cockatiel eggs for the experience. Theriogenology is a fascinating and very rewarding area of avian medicine that deserves further study.