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CIR1112

Hatchability Problem Analysis1

H. R. Wilson2

Introduction trained in recognizing problems, identifying causes,

and implementing appropriate corrective measures.
When a problem occurs in hatchability, usually it
can be categorized as a hatchery, egg handling, or The objective of the following outline is to
breeder flock problem. If the problem has originated suggest possible causes, and corrective measures
within the breeder flock, it is probable that it when appropriate, for some of the signs of trouble
happened at least 4 weeks earlier, assuming 3 weeks observed when decreased hatchability occurs.
of incubation and 1 week of egg storage. This delay
in identifying a problem is costly and may even make General Comments
it impossible to determine the cause if the effect is of
The magnitude of the effects of deviations from
short duration. It is necessary to identify the problem
recommended incubation conditions (temperature,
as early as possible, using candling at 1 week of
humidity, turning frequency, ventilation, and egg
incubation and constantly monitoring unhatched eggs,
orientation) is a function of the severity of the
to minimize the delay in taking corrective measures.
deviation, the length of time of the deviation, and the
Analysis of hatch debris does not yield definitive
age of the embryo at the time of the deviation. The
diagnoses; however, it is a useful tool for determining
manifestation of abnormalities and the embryonic
the most likely areas for further examination.
age at which mortality peaks occur due to nutritional
It is of utmost importance for hatchery, egg factors usually depend upon the severity of the
handling, and breeder farm personnel to work nutrient deficiency, how long the deficiency has
together as a team to produce top quality chicks and existed, or how long an adequate diet has been fed to
to identify problems when they occur. Very accurate the breeders following a deficiency. Therefore,
and complete records of the breeder flock (including depletion rate, repletion rate, egg deposition
egg production, mortality, morbidity, egg weight, efficiency, interference from inhibitors, and yolk
shell quality, hatchability, feed consumption, and formation time are factors that contribute to the
antibody titers) and the egg history from the nest effects manifested in embryonic abnormalities and
through the hatchery are essential in providing clues mortality.
to most hatchability problems. Personnel should be

1. This document is CIR1112, one of a series of the Animal Science Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural
Sciences, University of Florida. Original publication date October 2004. Reviewed June 2003. Visit the EDIS Web Site at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.
2. Henry R. Wilson, Professor Poultry Physiology, Department of Dairy and Poultry Sciences, Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and
Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville FL 32611.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Employment Opportunity - Affirmative Action Employer authorized to provide
research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function without regard to race, creed, color, religion,
age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For information on obtaining other extension
publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension Service office. Florida Cooperative Extension Service / Institute of Food and Agricultural
Sciences / University of Florida / Larry R. Arrington, Interim Dean
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Hatchability Problem Analysis 2

Troubleshooting: General Problems 14. Inadequate lighting (intensity or day

length).
1. Sign: Eggs candle clear; broken out eggs show
small white-dot germinal disc; no blood. 15. Improper artificial insemination
Infertile. Causes: procedures (if artificial insemination is
used).
1. Immature males. Males may need to be
photostimulated 2 weeks earlier than 2. Sign: Eggs candle clear; broken out eggs show
females. enlarged germinal disc; no blood. Fertile.
Some are termed "blastoderm without
2. Males with abnormal sperm; females with embryo." Causes:
abnormal egg (germinal disc). This occurs
most often in very young or very old 1. Eggs stored too long. They should be stored
breeders. <7 days.

3. Too few males, resulting in infrequent 2. Eggs held under poor conditions,
mating; too many males, resulting in temperature too high or too low. Fluctuating
fighting or interference. Ratios of 1:12 to temperatures. Temperature should be 60°
1:15 for light breeds and 1:10 to 1:12 for to 65°F (15.6° to 18.3°C).
heavy breeds are suggested.
3. Fumigation improper -- too severe or done
4. Extreme weather conditions. between 12 and 96 h of incubation.
Incorrectly spraying or foaming eggs with
5. Old breeders. Spiking with young males disinfectant.
may help if the problem is with the male.
4. Eggs damaged during handling and
6. Breeder flock disease. This is often transport by jarring, temperature shock
indicated by rough, misshaped, or (temperature increased or decreased too
thin-shelled eggs. rapidly), etc.

7. Excess body weight, especially in broiler 5. Eggshell sealed -- respiration inhibited.

breeder males (>4,800 g, 10.6 lb).
6. High temperature in early incubation.
8. Nutritional deficiencies or excesses; severe
feed restriction. 7. Very young or very old breeders.

9. Feet and leg problems, especially in males 8. Heredity, inbreeding, chromosome

of heavy breeds. abnormalities, or parthenogenesis.

10. Certain drugs, pesticides, chemicals, 9. Breeder flock diseases.

toxins, or mycotoxins.
10. Failure of a basic organ system to develop
11. Parasites, such as mites. normally.

12. Inadequate floor space. 11. Egg wash temperature too high.

13. Decreased mating frequency, or no mating, 12. Egg-borne infections (e.g., salmonella).
is commonly seen in many of the conditions
13. Drugs, toxins, pesticides, etc.
listed above; this may often be the direct
cause of infertility. 14. Infrequent or incomplete egg collection.
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Hatchability Problem Analysis 3

3. Sign: Eggs candle clear; broken out eggs show 5. Sign: Dead embryos; 7 to 17 days of
blood ring or small embryo that died before 3 incubation; each embryo has egg tooth,
days of incubation; no dark eye visible. Causes: toenails, feather follicles (8 days), feathers (11
days). Causes:
1. Eggs stored too long or under improper
temperature. 1. Improper incubator temperature, humidity,
turning, ventilation. Low humidity increases
2. Fumigation improper -- too severe or done abnormalities of aortic arches (13 days).
between 12 and 96 h of incubation.
2. Contamination.
3. High temperature in early incubation.
3. Nutritional deficiencies -- riboflavin,
4. Low temperature in early incubation. vitamin B12, biotin, niacin, pyridoxine,
pantothenic acid, phosphorus, boron, or
5. Eggs damaged during transport by jarring,
linoleic acid.
etc.
4. Lethal genes (>30 have been described).
6. Breeder flock diseases.
6. Sign: Dead embryos; >18 days of incubation.
7. Old breeders.
Causes:
8. Embryological development accidents.
1. Improper incubator temperature, humidity,
9. Inbreeding, chromosome abnormalities. turning, ventilation.

10. Severe nutritional deficiencies, e.g., biotin, 2. Improper hatcher temperature, humidity,
vitamin A, copper, vitamin E, boron, or ventilation.
pantothenic acid.
3. Contamination, especially from molds
11. Frequently associated with a high (aspergillis, etc.).
incidence of infertility.
4. Fumigation too severe or too prolonged.
12. Drugs, toxins, or pesticides.
5. Eggs chilled in transfer, or transferred too
13. Contamination. late.

14. Embryos less developed at oviposition, i.e., 6. Broken shell -- pre-set, during incubation,
pre-endoderm or very early endoderm or at transfer.
formation.
7. Nutritional deficiencies -- vitamin D,
4. Sign: Dead embryos; 3 to 6 days of incubation; vitamin A, folic acid, or pantothenic acid,
yolk sac circulatory system present, embryo riboflavin, vitamin E, selenium, vitamin K,
on left side, no egg tooth. Causes: biotin, thiamin, vitamin B12, calcium,
phosphorus, manganese, or linoleic acid.
1. See causes 3.1-14
8. Embryonic malposition; embryo fails to
2. Lack of ventilation, or sealed shells, carbon move into proper hatching position (see
dioxide >1%. #21).

3. Improper turning -- <1/h or >6/h; improper 9. Embryological development accident.

turning angle. Failure to change to lung respiration and all
intra-embryonic circulation, and/or to retract
4. Vitamin deficiencies -- vitamin E,
the intestinal loops and yolk sac. These and
riboflavin, biotin, pantothenic acid, or
other changes are critical at this time.
linoleic acid.
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Hatchability Problem Analysis 4

10. Heredity -- lethal genes, chromosome 4. Nutritional deficiencies.

abnormalities.
5. Breeder diseases.
11. Twinning.
6. Poor ventilation.
12. Hatcher opened too much during pipping
and hatching. 7. Inadequate turning during first 12 days.

13. Poor shell quality. 8. Injury during transfer.

14. Breeder diseases. 9. Prolonged egg storage.

Troubleshooting: Specific Problems 3. Sign: Shell partially pipped, embryo alive or

dead. Causes:
1. Sign: Not pipped. Full-term embryo, large
1. See 8.a-i.
yolk sac; yolk sac may not be fully enclosed by
abdominal wall, may have residual albumen. 2. Excessive fumigation during hatching.
Causes:
3. Eggs set small end up.
1. Inadequate turning, resulting in decreased
embryonic membrane development and 4. Sign: Chicks hatch early; tendency to be thin
nutrient absorption. and noisy. Causes:

2. Humidity too high during incubation or after 1. Small eggs.

transfer.
2. Differences among breeds.
3. Incubator temperature too low.
3. Incubator temperature too high.
4. Hatcher temperature too high.
4. Incubator humidity too low.
5. Eggs chilled (e.g., at transfer).
5. Sign: Chicks hatch late. Causes:
6. Nutritional deficiencies.
1. Large eggs.
7. Heredity.
2. Old breeders.
8. Embryological development accident.
3. Eggs stored too long (40 min. increase in
9. Breeder diseases. incubation time/day of storage, .5% to 1.2%
decrease in number hatched/day of storage).
10. Inadequate ventilation.
4. Incubator temperature too low.
11. Prolonged egg storage.
5. Weak embryos.
2. Sign: Pipped. Full-term embryo, dead in shell.
Causes: 6. Inbreeding.

1. Low humidity or temperature for a 7. Incubator humidity too high.

prolonged period.
6. Sign: Slow, protracted (drawn-out) hatch.
2. Low humidity during hatching. Causes:

3. High temperature during hatching. 1. Mix in the incubator of eggs stored for long
and short periods (1.2% loss of hatch/day of
storage when all eggs set at the same time;
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Hatchability Problem Analysis 5

only .5% loss/day when eggs stored for long 5. Very large eggs.
periods are set earlier to allow a longer
incubation period). 9. Sign: Chicks stuck in shell, dry; chicks with
shell fragments stuck to down feathers.
2. Mix of eggs from young and old breeders. Causes:

3. Mix of large and small eggs. 1. Humidity too low during egg storage,
incubation, and/or hatching.
4. Improper egg handling.
2. Improper egg turning.
5. Hot or cold spots in incubator or hatcher.
3. Cracked eggs or poor shell quality.
6. Incubator or hatcher temperature too high or
too low. 10. Sign: Premature hatching; bloody navels.
Causes:
7. Room ventilation system improper; high
positive pressure or low negative pressure. 1. Incubator and/or hatcher temperature too
Such pressures may alter incubator or high.
hatcher ventilation.
11. Sign: Small chicks. Causes:
7. Sign: Trays not uniform in hatch or chick
quality. Causes: 1. Small eggs.

1. Mix of large and small eggs. 2. Low humidity during egg storage and/or
incubation.
2. Mix of eggs from young and old breeders.
3. High incubation temperature.
3. Mix of eggs from different strains or breeds.
4. High altitude. Hatcheries at high altitudes
4. Some eggs stored much longer. (>1,500 m or 4,920 ft) may need to adjust
for low humidity, carbon dioxide, and
5. Lack of uniform ventilation in setter or oxygen. Atmospheric pressure <600 mmHg
hatcher. (~1,830 m or 6,004 ft) reduces growth and
metabolic rate, increases loss of water from
6. Disease or other stress in one or more
the egg.
breeder flocks.
5. Thin, porous shells.
7. Variation in egg storage procedures among
flocks. 12. Sign: Unhealed navel; dry, rough down
feathers. Causes:
8. Sign: Sticky chicks; chicks smeared with
albumen. Causes: 1. High incubator temperature or wide
fluctuations in temperature.
1. Low incubation temperature.
2. Low temperature in hatcher.
2. High incubation humidity.
3. Humidity too high in hatcher or not lowered
3. Improper turning. This results in reduced
when hatching complete.
embryonic membrane growth and reduced
nutrient absorption. 4. Inadequate breeder nutrition.
4. Old eggs. 13. Sign: Unhealed navel, wet, odorous; mushy,
large, soft-bodied, and lethargic chick. Causes:
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Hatchability Problem Analysis 6

1. Omphalitis (navel infection). normal variant. Some malpositions are

Contamination from dirty trays, unsanitary lethal; others are not.
machines or hatchery, dirty eggs,
inadequate egg sanitation or fumigation. 16. Sign: Malformations. Causes:

2. Low incubator temperature. 1. Improper egg storage.

3. High incubator or hatcher humidity. 2. Jarring of eggs or transporting large end

down.
4. Inadequate ventilation.
3. Heredity.
14. Sign: Weak chicks. Causes:
4. Nutritional deficiencies, e.g., biotin,
1. High hatcher temperature. riboflavin, zinc, or manganese.

2. Poor hatcher ventilation. 5. Inadequate turning.

3. Excessive fumigation. 6. Improper egg orientation, e.g., small end up.

4. Contamination. 7. High or low incubator temperature.

15. Sign: Chicks malpositioned. Normal position 8. Breeder diseases.

after 19 days of incubation: embryo's long axis
same as long axis of egg; head in large end of 9. Inadequate ventilation or shells with low
egg; head to the right and under right wing; porosity or permeability.
beak toward air cell; feet toward head. Causes:
17. Sign: Crooked toes, spraddled legs. Causes:
1. Eggs set small end up or in horizontal
1. High or low incubator temperature.
position.
2. Inadequate nutrition.
2. Inadequate or improper turning.
3. Smooth bottom hatching trays.
3. High or low incubator temperature.
18. Sign: Short down, wiry down. Causes:
4. High humidity.
1. Nutritional deficiencies, especially
5. Old breeders.
riboflavin.
6. Round-shaped eggs or very large eggs.
2. Mycotoxins and other toxic or inhibitory
7. Nutritional deficiencies, especially vitamin substances, resulting in nutritional
A and vitamin B12. deficiencies.

8. Eggs handled or stored improperly. 3. High incubation temperature during days 1

to 14.
9. Retarded development.
19. Sign: Eyes closed, down stuck to eyes. Causes:
10. Embryos <18 days old may be in a position
different from that for hatching but one 1. Temperature too high in hatcher.
normal for their age (for example, the
2. Humidity too low in hatcher.
head-between-thighs position). The
feet-over-head position is hard to 3. Down collectors inadequate.
distinguish and may be normal. The
beak-over-wing position is probably a
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Hatchability Problem Analysis 7

4. Chicks remain in hatcher too long after 1. High incubator temperature during days 1 to
hatching 6.

5. Excessive air movement in hatcher. 2. Low oxygen during days 1 to 6.30.

20. Sign: Exploders. Causes: 24. Sign: Exposed brain. Causes:

1. Dirty eggs from nest. Dirty nests. 1. High incubator temperature during days 1 to
3.
2. Floor eggs.
2. Low oxygen during days 1 to 3.
3. Eggs improperly washed; eggs wiped or
cleaned with contaminated cloth or buffer. 25. Sign: Red hocks in hatched chicks or
unhatched pips. Causes:
4. Dust from breeder house, cooler, transport,
etc. 1. Prolonged pushing on shell during pipping
and hatching.
5. Water condensation on eggs (sweating).
2. Vitamin deficiencies.
6. Water sprayed, fogged, or splashed on eggs;
eggs dipped in contaminated solutions. 3. Thick shells, as in pullet flocks.

7. Contamination from earlier exploders, 4. High incubator humidity and/or low

leakers, or broken eggs. incubator temperature.

8. Contamination from handling eggs with 26. Sign: Small air cell, broad pip area,
dirty hands or equipment. membrane incompletely cut, red hocks,
edematous chick, unabsorbed albumen, yolk
9. Contaminated setter flats, air filters, water incompletely retracted, egg weight loss <10%.
(humidity) system. Causes:
21. Sign: Dwarf embryos: runts in growing 1. High incubator humidity.
chicks. Causes:
2. Very thick shells, as in pullet flocks.
1. Egg contamination.
3. Low incubator temperature.
2. Hatchery contamination, especially during
hatching. 27. Sign: Micromelia (shortened long bones,
parrot beak, bent bones); chondrodystrophy
3. Breeder diseases. (similar to micromelia). Causes:
4. Heredity. 1. Heredity, lethal genes.
5. Nutritional deficiencies. 2. Nutritional deficiencies (biotin or
manganese).
6. Thyroid abnormalities.
28. Sign: Short beak, missing beak, face
22. Sign: Crossed beak, twisted beak. Causes:
abnormalities. Causes:
1. Heredity.
1. Incubator temperature too high during days
23. Sign: Missing eye(s), other eye abnormalities. 1 to 5.
Causes:
2. Heredity, lethal genes.
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Hatchability Problem Analysis 8

3. Developmental accidents. feet; embryonic mortality peaks during days 2 to

5. Muscular weakness after hatching.
4. Nutritional deficiencies (niacin).
4. Vitamin K: Hemorrhages in embryo and
29. Sign: Ectopic (exposed) viscera. Causes: membranes, especially at or near time of
hatching.
1. Incubator temperature too high.
5. Thiamin: Polyneuritis; early mortality peak and
2. Heredity, lethal genes.
late peak >=19 days; many dead chicks in
30. Sign: Hemorrhage. Causes: hatching trays.

1. Red skin -- incubator or hatcher temperature 6. Riboflavin: Stunting, short legs, disorganization
too high. of the circulatory system, edema, clubbed down,
curled toes, micromelia, anemia, brown or dark
2. Bleeding in chorioallantois -- rough green liver; mortality peaks during days 3 to 5,
handling at transfer. 10 to 15, and 21 to 22. Mortality peaks change
from late to early as breeder depletion of
3. Nutritional deficiencies (vitamin K or
riboflavin proceeds.
vitamin E).
7. Niacin: Hypoplasia (decreased growth and
4. Embryos that died at days 11 to 15 and
development) of skeletal muscles, edema, short
appear small and dark red -- usually caused
upper beak, nervous and vascular system
by molds or other contamination.
abnormalities. Mortality peaks during days 8 to
31. Sign: Swollen head and back of neck 14.
(exudative diathesis - increased capillary 8. Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine): Inhibition of early
permeability). Causes:
embryonic growth; mortality peaks during days 8
1. Nutritional deficiencies -- vitamin E or to 14.
selenium.
9. Pantothenic acid: Subcutaneous hemorrhages,
Nutritional Deficiencies and edema, hydrocephalus, poor feathering, twisted
legs, fatty livers, opacities of the eye, pale,
Toxicities; Almost Always a Breeder
dilated hearts; embryonic mortality peaks during
Flock Problem days 2 to 4 and 11 to 15.
1. Vitamin A: Circulatory system development 10. Biotin: Chondrodystrophy and micromelia
abnormal; skeletal abnormalities, especially in (deformed skeleton, shortened long bones, parrot
the skull and spinal column; degenerative beak), syndactylism (webbing between toes);
changes in the brain, spinal cord, and nerves; hemorrhages in the embryo and chorioallantois;
embryonic mortality is early (during days 2 to 3). peak embryonic mortality during days 3 to 4 and
Chicks hatching may have watery discharge >=17. The early mortality peak is greatest with
from eyes or have eyelids stuck together. A great severe deficiency, while the late peak is greatest
excess of vitamin A also will cause skeletal with mild deficiency.
abnormalities.
11. Folic acid: Bent tibia, syndactylism (toe
2. Vitamin D3: Late embryonic mortality (>17 webbing), flattened head, small eyes, exposed
days); stunting; poor skeletal growth; rickets. viscera, parrot beak, other beak defects, stunting;
3. Vitamin E: Circulatory system problems, peak embryonic mortality days >17.
exudative diathesis, hemorrhages, stunting,
encephalomalacia, eye abnormalities (e.g.,
cloudy lens or hemorrhages), edema of neck and
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Hatchability Problem Analysis 9

12. Vitamin B12: Edema (especially around eyes), 21. Molybdenum: >17 ppm in the egg results in
hemorrhages, curled toes, short beak, poor leg 100% mortality by day 12.
muscle development, dwarfing, fatty liver,
enlarged thyroid, dilated, irregularly shaped 22. Lithium: Excess causes high embryonic
heart, head-between-thighs malposition; peak mortality associated with inhibited development,
embryonic mortality during days 8 to 14 (small eye defects, enlarged aorta, abnormal neural tube.
peak) and 16 to 18.
23. Boron: Excess boron in egg (44 ppm) causes
13. Manganese: Chondrodystrophy, deformed embryonic mortality in early development and at
skeleton, shortened long bones, parrot beak, day 13. Abnormalities similar to those of
micromelia, edema, abnormal down feathers; riboflavin deficiency. Face, beak, and
peak embryonic mortality days >18. Chicks appendicular skeleton abnormalities.
uncoordinated.
24. Protein, amino acids: Deficiency, excess, or
14. Zinc: Skeletal defects, especially in posterior imbalance of some amino acids can cause
vertebral column (most common defect is embryonic abnormalities and mortality.
rumplessness), small eyes, exposed viscera, beak Abnormalities include small or abnormal upper
and head abnormalities, edema. Chicks are weak; and/or lower beak, disorganized protrusions in
will not stand, eat, or drink. Embryonic mortality the brain, exposed viscera, twisted and shortened
can be very high. limbs, twisted spine, short body, degeneration of
the eye.
15. Calcium: Effects more indirect through poor
shell quality, increased egg weight loss, and 25. Fat, fatty acids: Linoleic acid deficiency: slow
increased contamination. Stunted growth, development, 75% of embryos in the
decreased bone development, and increased head-over-right-wing malposition; mortality
mortality tend to occur in later stages. A great peaks during days 1 to 4, 8 to 14, and >21. Lipid
excess of calcium also will cause embryonic transfer from the yolk to the embryo is reduced
abnormalities. in the first few eggs produced by young pullets;
this appears to result in increased embryonic
16. Magnesium: Nervous tremor, gasping, and mortality.
convulsions at hatching.
26. Miscellaneous substances:
17. Phosphorus: Abnormal bone formation,
stunting; mortality peaks during days 14 to 16. 1. Tetracyclines: Inhibition of skeletal
mineralization, erosion of long-bone
18. Copper: Blood and circulatory system defects. cartilage, skeleton malformation.
Mortality peaks during days <3.
2. Sulfanilamides:Retarded growth,
19. Iodine: Affects thyroid activity. Deficiency or shortened long bones, extreme
excess causes increased incubation time, micromelia, parrot beak, rumplessness.
decreased growth, and increased mortality.
Thyroid may be enlarged. 3. Penicillin:Edema and hemorrhage in
wings, legs, and head.
20. Selenium: Exudative diathesis; selenium will
spare vitamin E. Very high levels of selenium 4. Aflatoxin B1:Stunting (beginning at day
are toxic: edema of head and neck, twisted legs, 12), small liver, high mortality.
necrosis in brain and spinal cord, short upper
5. Ammonia (in incubators): No closure of
beak, missing eyes, protruding eyes, an increase neural tube, mortality.
in malpositions.
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Hatchability Problem Analysis 10

27. Microorganisms: groups for special functions. Several hundred cells at

oviposition.
1. Infectious bronchitis: Stunting, retarded
lung development, small heart, enlarged Between oviposition and incubation -- No
spleen. Small chick resulting from thin, growth; embryo is inactive (if embryo is held below
porous shell and excessive water loss. 76°F or 25.5°C, which is physiological zero);
normal storage temperature is 55° to 65°F or 13°
2. Newcastle disease: Reduced growth, to 18°C.
small amnion, abnormalities in neural
and sensory tissues in early embryo. During Incubation:

3. Botulism: Muscle atrophy, fat Day 1:

accumulation, joint problems, short
upper beak. 6 to 10 h - First kidney-like cells (pronephros)
begin to form.
4. Staphylococcus: Extensive
hemorrhages and tissue damage. 8 h -Appearance of primitive streak.

5. Streptococcus: Destruction of the 10 h -Yolk sac (embryonic membrane) begins.

synovial lining of the joints. Functions include: a) blood formation; b) yolk
digestion; c) yolk absorption; d) food
6. E. coli: Rots. provision after hatching. Mesoderm appears;
embryo oriented at 90° angle to egg's long
7. Aspergillus: Black or dark green rots. axis; mesonephros begins.
Embryo red or dark, dwarfed.
18 h -Primitive gut begins; primordial germ
8. S. pullorum, S. gallinarum, and S. cells appear in germinal crescent.
typhimurium: Egg transmitted.
Embryonic septicemia, high embryonic 20 h -Vertebral column begins.
mortality, high chick mortality.
21 h -Appearance of neural groove, nervous
Landmarks of Embryonic system.
Development
22 h -Appearance of first pair of somites
Before Oviposition: (block-like segments) and head.

Ovulation -- First meiotic division of 23 to 24 h -Blood islands, vitelline (yolk sac)

oogenesis. circulation, blood, heart,blood vessels begin (2 to 4
somites).
30 min. post-ovulation -- Second meiotic
division and fertilization.

4 h post-ovulation -- First embryonic division. Day 2:

4.3 h post-ovulation -- Second embryonic 25 h -Appearance of eye; vertebral column

division. visible; embryo begins to turn on left side (6
somites).
5.5 h post-ovulation -- Third division.
28 h -Ear begins (7 somites).
6.3 h post-ovulation -- Fourth division.
30 h -Amnion (embryonic membrane around
6.4 to about 25.5 h post-ovulation (oviposition) embryo) begins. Primary function is to protect
-- Continued division and growth; cells segregate into embryo against shock and sticking; also
responsible for some albumen absorption.
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Hatchability Problem Analysis 11

Chorion (embryonic membrane that fuses with to inner shell membrane and growth around the inner
allantois) begins; heartbeat begins (10 surface is progressing.
somites).
Day 8: Father tracts appear; parathyroid begins;
38 h -Cranial flexure and torsion evident; bone calcification begins.
heartbeat moves blood (16 to 17 somites).
Day 9: Growth of chorioallantois about 80%
42 h -Thyroid begins. complete (still open at small end); mouth opening
appears.
48 h -Anterior pituitary and pineal glands
begin to develop. Day 10: Beak begins to harden; digits
completely separated.
Day 3:
Day 11: Abdominal walls established; loops of
50 h -Embryo turns on left side; allantois intestine begin to protrude into the yolk sac; down
(embryonic membrane that fuses with feathers visible; comb and wattles visible; claws and
chorion) begins. Functions of chorioallantois scales appear on toes; mesonephros reaches
are: a) respiration; b) albumen absorption; c) maximum level of function, then begins to
absorption of calcium from shell; d) storage of degenerate; metanephros begins to function.
kidney excretions.
Day 12: Chorioallantois completes enclosure of
60 h -Nasal pits, pharynx, lungs, anterior limb egg contents; embryo water content begins to
buds begin. decrease.
62 h -Posterior limb buds begin. Day 13: Cartilaginous skeleton is relatively
72 h -Middle and outer ear, trachea begin; complete; embryo heat production and oxygen
consumption begin to increase rapidly.
amnion completes growth around embryo.
Day 14: Embryo begins to turn head toward
large end of egg; long bone ossification becomes
Day 4: Tongue and esophagus begin; embryo rapid. Turning of egg no longer essential.
separates from yolk sac; allantois grows through
Day 15: Intestinal loops easily seen in yolk sac;
amnion; contractions occur in amnion wall; adrenal
contraction of amnion ceases.
development begins; pronephros (nonfunctional
kidney) disappears; metanephros (definitive or final Day 16: Beak, claws, and scales relatively
kidney) begins; proventriculus, gizzard, ceca, large cornified; albumen is practically gone and yolk
intestine begin. Pigment visible in eye (dark eye). increasingly important as food source; down feathers
cover body; intestinal loops begin to retract into body.
Day 5: Reproductive system and differentiation
of sex appear; thymus, bursa of Fabricius, duodenal Day 17: Amniotic fluid decreases; embryo
loop begin; chorion and allantois begin to fuse; positioning head toward large end, toward right wing
mesonephros begins to function; first cartilage with beak toward air cell; definitive feathers begin.
present.
Day 18: Blood volume decreases, total blood
Day 6: Beak appears; voluntary movement hemoglobin decreases. Embryo should be in proper
begins; chorioallantois (chorion fused with allantois) position to hatch: embryo's long axis the same as
lies against shell near large end of egg. long axis of egg; head in large end of egg; head to
right and under right wing; beak pointed toward air
Day 7: Digits appear; comb growth begins; egg
cell; feet toward head.
tooth begins; melanin produced; absorption of
mineral from shell begins. Chorioallantois is attached
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Hatchability Problem Analysis 12

Day 19: Intestinal loop retraction complete; yolk least every 3 weeks. Regular, consistent analysis of
sac begins to enter body cavity; amniotic fluid these breakouts will result in flock histories that can
(swallowed by embryo) disappears; beak may pierce be used to diagnose hatchability problems, minimize
air cell and lungs begin to function (pulmonary losses, and compare strains, flocks, farms, hatcheries,
respiration). and many other variables.

Day 20: Yolk sac completely drawn into body; Sample selection and size are important for
air cell pierced, followed by functioning of obtaining valid results from the breakouts. Samples
pulmonary respiration; embryo makes sounds; should be selected to include eggs from representative
chorioallantoic circulation, respiration, and locations in setters and hatchers for each flock at each
absorption decrease; embryo may pip shell. sampling time. Suggested minimums for sample size
include: (1) 10 unhatched eggs from 5 hatcher trays;
Day 21: Hatching process: chorioallantoic (2) all unhatched eggs from 4 hatcher trays per setter
circulation ceases; embryo breaks shell over air cell or hatcher; (3) all unhatched eggs from 1,000 set
with egg tooth; embryo slowly rotates in egg eggs; as well as many others.
counterclockwise, chipping and breaking shell as it
does; embryo kicks and attempts to straighten neck, Records should include, but not be limited to, the
pushes shell open; kicks free of shell, rests, following variables: flock, strain, farm, date set,
straightens, dries. machine(s) used, location of eggs in machine,
number of eggs set, number of fertile eggs, number of
>Day 21: Some embryos are unable to hatch but early dead (0 to 7 days), number of middle dead (8 to
survive beyond the normal hatching time. 14 days), number of late dead (embryos 15 days or
older), age of each embryo, malpositions (in embryos
Developmental stages of other avian species can
19 days or older), number pipping, malformations,
be estimated by comparing with those of the chicken
number of eggs contaminated (rots), number of
on the basis of percentage of incubation time.
cracked eggs (transfer cracks and others), unusual egg
Hatching Egg Breakout traits (size, shape, shell quality, cleanliness), number
of dead and culled chicks, and number of live chicks.
A breakout analysis of hatching eggs must be Clear, accurate records are essential for useful egg
done to evaluate the breeder flock's progress with breakout analysis.
respect to fertility and hatchability. It is an absolutely
essential diagnostic tool for identifying the cause(s) Eggs should be removed from the hatcher tray,
of problems in hatchability. Three types of breakout placed on egg flats, and identified as to flock,
are advantageous in evaluation and problem analysis. location, etc. The exterior of the egg is examined first
These are: (1) breakout of fresh, nonincubated for egg traits, pipping, and location of the air cell. The
hatching eggs; (2) candling of eggs incubated for 5 to shell is cracked at the large end, over the air cell, and
12 days, breakout of nonviable eggs, and recording of a hole opened in the shell and membranes to observe
eggs set small end up; and (3) breakout of eggs that the interior of the egg. If the egg appears to be
did not hatch (hatch residue). infertile or contains a very early dead embryo, the
germinal disc must be located to make a definitive
Breakout of fresh eggs is used to provide an identification of fertility. If the embryo is relatively
immediate evaluation of flock fertility and to confirm small, the egg can be broken into a dish for further
fertility estimated from hatch residue breakout and examination. Eggs with late-stage embryos should be
candling between 5 and 12 days of incubation. The observed for pipping into the air cell, then opened
breakout following candling will include eggs with tweezers or scissors from large end to small end
determined to be infertile, eggs containing early dead, without disturbing the position of the embryo. The
and cracked eggs. The hatch residue breakout embryo's position (see earlier discussion on
includes all eggs that did not hatch. Candle breakout positions), the embryo's age (see section on
and residue breakout should be done weekly or at development stages), malformations, contamination,
 Archival copy: for current recommendations see http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu or your local extension office.

Hatchability Problem Analysis 13

and other factors should be observed and recorded. Summers, J. D., and S. Leeson. 1985. Poultry
Comparisons with live embryos of various ages can nutrition handbook, 119-24. University of Guelph,
be used to train those developing experience in the Canada: Department of Animal and Poultry Science.
breakout technique.
Tullett, S. G., and R. C. Noble. 1989.
References Understanding the chick embryo (III). Low
hatchability problems in young parent stock. Misset
Abbott, U. K. 1975. Identifying causes of International Poultry (January): 8-9.
problems in hatchability. Poultry Digest (November):
446-47. Wilson, H. R. 1991. "Physiological requirements
of the developing embryo: Temperature and turning."
Anonymous. 1971. Incubation trouble shooting. In Avian incubation, ed. S.G. Tullett, 145-56.
Denver: Robbins Incubator Company. Developed from Poultry Science Symposium
Number Twenty-Two. London:
Anonymous. 1991. Hatchery trouble shooting
Butterworth-Heinemann.
guide. Glastonbury, Conn.: Arbor Acres, Inc.
Wilson, J. L. 1991. Hatching egg breakout
Coleman, M. A. 1986. Solving hatchability
methods are explained. Poultry Digest 50 (9): 20, 22,
problems. Poultry International (December): 12-15.
24, 25.
Hodgetts, B. 1988. Why do your embryos die?
Wineland, M. J., and J. T. Brake. 1984.
Internat. Hatchery Practice 2 (3): 4, 5, 7, 9.
Trouble-shooting fertility and hatchability problems.
Hodgetts, B. Solving hatchability problems. PS&T Guide No. 34. North Carolina Agricultural
Information for flock farms and hatcheries. ADAS Extension Service.
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
Wolverhampton, UK.

Landauer, W. 1967. The hatchability of chicken

eggs as influenced by environment and heredity.
Monograph I (Revised). Storrs Agricultural
Experiment Station, Conn.

McDaniel, G. R. 1990. Hatchability: Many

factors affect results. Poultry Digest 49 (9): 20, 22,
24, 28, 30.

North, M. O., and D. D. Bell. 1990. Commercial

chicken production manual, 103-34. New York: Van
Nostrand Reinhold.

Patten, B. M. 1964. Foundations of embryology.

2d ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, Inc.

Romanoff, A. L. 1960. The avian embryo. New

York: The MacMillan Company.

Romanoff, A. L., and A. J. Romanoff. 1972.

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