Probable Cause Corrective Measures Insufficient moisture Increase humidity (wet-bulb temperature) during the hatching period. Improper ventilation Increase ventilation rate in incubator and/or room, but avoid drafts. Improper setting of eggs causing malpositioned embryos Set eggs with small end down. Turn eggs properly but avoid turning within 3 days of hatching.

Troubleshooting: General Problems

Sign: Eggs candle clear; broken out eggs show enlarged germinal disc; no blood. Fertile. Some are termed "blastoderm without embryo." Causes:

1. Eggs stored too long. They should be stored <7 days.

2. Eggs held under poor conditions, temperature too high or too low. Fluctuating
    temperatures. Temperature should be 60° to 65°F (15.6° to 18.3°C).

3. Fumigation improper -- too severe or done between 12 and 96 h of incubation.
    Incorrectly spraying or foaming eggs with disinfectant.

4. Eggs damaged during handling and transport by jarring, temperature shock (temperature
    increased or decreased too rapidly), etc.

5. Eggshell sealed -- respiration inhibited.

6. High temperature in early incubation.

7. Very young or very old breeders.

8. Heredity, inbreeding, chromosome abnormalities, or parthenogenesis.

9. Breeder flock diseases.

10. Failure of a basic organ system to develop normally.

11. Egg wash temperature too high.

12. Egg-borne infections (e.g., salmonella).

13. Drugs, toxins, pesticides, etc.

14. Infrequent or incomplete egg collection.