Abnormal, weak, or
small chicks
High incubation or hatching
temperatures
Follow recommended incubation temperatures.
Small eggs hatch small
chicks
Set only standard or large sized eggs.
Insufficient incubation
humidity
Maintain recommended humidity for species of
bird incubated..
Improper ventilation in
hatcher unit
Increase ventilation rate, but avoid drafts.
Diseased or poorly
conditioned breeder flock
Use eggs from disease-free sources only. Have
NPIP representatives blood-test the breeder
flock.
Improper nutrition of breeders
Provide a well-balanced nutritional diet to
breeders (especially vitamin levels).
Fumigate using proper procedures.
Crippled and
malformed chicks
Improper incubation
temperatures (usually too high)
Follow recommended incubation temperatures.
Increase incubation humidity by increasing water
evaporation. Embryos dried too much.
Improper egg setting position or
turning during incubation
Set eggs with small ends down. Turn eggs at least
3 times daily. Do not turn eggs within 3
days of hatching.
Proper culling and breeding practices will reduce
problems.
Use trays with wire floors or place crinoline on
hatching surface.
Improper nutrition of breeders
Provide a well-balanced nutritional diet to
breeders.
Chicks with labored
breathing
Excessive use of fumigant
Follow recommended fumigation procedures.
Check disease status of breeder flock. Conduct a
thorough cleanup and disinfection of incubator and
hatching facilities.
Improper incubation
temperatures
Follow recommended incubation temperatures.
Maintain proper humidity.
Navel infection (Omphalitis)
Clean and disinfect incubator and hatching units
between settings of eggs. Maintain dry hatching
trays. Properly store and fumigate eggs.
High incubation
temperatures
Follow recommended incubation temperatures.
Follow suggestions to correct insufficient
humidity.
Reduce vent openings to restrict but maintain
adequate air exchange.