Symptoms
Probable Cause
Corrective Measures
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).
Excessive fumigation in
Fumigate using proper procedures.
Symptoms
Probable Cause
Corrective Measures
Crippled and
malformed chicks
Improper incubation
temperatures (usually too high)
Follow recommended incubation temperatures.
Low incubation humidity
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.
Heredity
Proper culling and breeding practices will reduce
problems.
Slick hatching trays
Use trays with wire floors or place crinoline on
hatching surface.
Improper nutrition of breeders
Provide a well-balanced nutritional diet to
breeders.
Symptoms
Probable Cause
Corrective Measures
Chicks with labored
breathing
Excessive use of fumigant
Follow recommended fumigation procedures.
Respiratory diseases
Check disease status of breeder flock. Conduct a
thorough cleanup and disinfection of hatcher and
hatching facilities.
Symptoms
Probable Cause
Corrective Measures
Rough or unhealed
navels
Improper incubation
temperatures
Follow recommended incubation temperatures.
High hatching humidity
Maintain proper humidity.
Navel infection (Omphalitis)
Clean and disinfect hatcher and hatching units
between settings of eggs. Maintain dry hatching
trays. Properly store and fumigate eggs.
Symptoms
Probable Cause
Corrective Measures
Short down on
chicks
High incubation
temperatures
Follow recommended incubation temperatures.
Low incubation humidity
Follow suggestions to correct insufficient
humidity.
Excessive ventilation
Reduce vent openings to restrict but maintain
adequate air exchange.
