Many people feel excited when they start hatching eggs. They expect every egg to hatch. That often does not happen. Egg hatching problems are common, even for experienced keepers. Some eggs stop growing early. Others reach the final days but never hatch. These failures can feel confusing and disappointing.
Tracking egg development day by day helps you understand what went wrong. Each stage of growth has clear signs. When you know what should happen on each day, you can spot problems faster. This makes it easier to fix incubation problems before it is too late.
Eggs may not hatch for many reasons. The eggs may not be fertile. The temperature may be too high or too low. Humidity may stay off for too long. Eggs may not get turned often enough. Poor airflow can also prevent eggs from hatching.
Beginners often face extra challenges. Many open the incubator too much. Some guess the settings instead of checking them. Others do not candle eggs at the right time. These small mistakes can lead to problems with hatching chicken and duck eggs.
This guide explains egg hatching problems from day 1 to day 21. You will learn what healthy growth looks like each day. You will also learn why eggs fail at each stage. By the end, you will know how to read the signs and improve your next hatch.
2. How Egg Development Works (Quick Overview)
Egg growth follows a clear pattern from start to hatch. This process is called egg development day by day. Each day matters. An early issue can cause egg-hatching problems later.
Chicken and duck eggs grow at different speeds.
- Chicken eggs usually hatch in about 21 days.
- Duck eggs often take closer to 28 days.
Because of this, chicken egg development by day moves faster than duck egg development day by day.
Chicken and duck egg hatching problems differ.
- Chicken eggs react quickly to heat changes
- Duck eggs need more moisture during growth
Using the same settings for both often leads to incubation problems.
Three factors control healthy growth.
- The temperature must stay steady.
- Humidity must match the growth stage
- Eggs must be turned often
When these stay correct, eggs grow well and hatch on time.
3. Days 1 to 3 Early Development Failures
The first three days are the most important. Many eggs fail at this stage. Most early egg hatching problems come from fertility or setup mistakes.
What Should Happen
During this stage, growth begins inside the egg.
For chicken eggs:
- Growth starts within the first day
- Blood vessels form by day two
- The embryo grows fast by day three
This early development of the chicken egg by day lays the foundation for complete hatch.
For duck eggs:
- Growth follows the same steps
- Changes appear more slowly
- Signs of life are harder to see early
This is normal for duck egg development day by day.
Common Egg Hatching Problems
Early failures often arise from simple issues.
- Eggs are not hatching due to infertility
- Incorrect incubator temperature
- Poor egg storage before incubation
Even minor errors at this stage can stop growth.
Signs of Failure
Candling helps find problems early.
- Clear eggs during candling
- No visible blood vessels
These signs show that the egg stopped growing during the first few days.
4. Days 4 to 7 Blood Vessel Growth Problems
Days four to seven are a key growth period. During this time, blood vessels spread across the egg. These vessels carry air and food to the embryo. Many egg-hatching problems at this stage are linked to oxygen deprivation and rough handling.
Normal Development
Healthy eggs show clear signs of growth.
- Delicate veins spread across the shell.
- The embryo starts to move inside the egg.
These signs indicate that egg development is progressing in the right direction.
Incubation Problems at This Stage
Growth can stop quickly if conditions change.
- Sudden embryo death from poor airflow
- Shaking or rough egg handling
- Poor ventilation inside the incubator
Embryos need fresh air. Without it, growth slows or stops.
Chicken vs Duck Differences
Chicken and duck eggs grow at different speeds.
- Chicken embryos grow faster during these days
- Duck embryo growth stays slower and steadier
This is normal and should not cause concern if other signs look healthy.
5. Days 8 to 10 Mid Incubation
Days eight to ten mark the middle of incubation. At this point, the embryo grows larger and stronger. Most egg hatching problems here arise from heat or moisture issues.
What Healthy Eggs Show
Candling should show strong growth.
- Thick and strong veins
- A dark embryo shape fills more of the egg
These signs show healthy chicken egg development by day and duck egg development day by day.
Common Causes of Failure
Several problems can stop growth at this stage.
- Overheating eggs for long periods
- Low humidity that dries the embryo
- Poor egg turning that limits growth
These issues often build up over time.
Key Egg Hatching Problems
Some signs point to mid-stage failure.
- Blood rings inside the egg
- Weak embryo growth
These signs often mean the embryo died during mid-incubation.
6. Days 11 to 14: Growth but No Strength
Days 11 to 14 show rapid growth. The embryo appears large but may be weak. Many egg-hatching problems here are linked to egg quality and parent health.
Expected Development
Healthy eggs show evident progress.
- Feathers begin forming on the embryo.
- The embryo fills most of the egg
These signs show strong egg development day by day.
Why Eggs Stop Developing
Growth may slow or stop for several reasons.
- Weak parent stock that produces poor eggs
- Shells that are too thin or too thick
- Prolonged incubation without proper turning
These problems limit oxygen and movement inside the egg.
Chicken Egg Hatching Problems vs Duck Eggs
Chicken and duck eggs differ in their reactions.
- Duck eggs need higher humidity to stay healthy
- Chicken eggs are more sensitive to heat swings
Using inappropriate settings can cause delayed growth failure.
7. Days 15 to 17 Late Stage Development Failures
This stage prepares the chick for hatching. The embryo assumes position and develops strength. Many failures are now linked to airway and body position.
Normal Signs
Healthy eggs show fewer movements.
- Movement becomes limited
- The chick prepares for internal pipping.
This is a regular part of chicken egg development and duck egg development, day by day.
Egg Hatching Problems at This Stage
Late failures often come from setup issues.
- Chicks positioned incorrectly inside the egg
- Low oxygen levels in the incubator
- Dirty airflow that blocks fresh air
These issues weaken the chick before hatch time.
8. Days 18 to 19 Lockdown Mistakes
Days eighteen and nineteen are called lockdown. Small mistakes now can stop a complete hatch.
What Should Change
Two essential steps happen during lockdown.
- Stop turning eggs
- Increase humidity to soften membranes
These steps help chicks break out of the shell.
Common Incubation Problems
Many eggs fail due to simple errors.
- Opening the incubator too often
- Incorrect humidity spikes
- Eggs do not hatch due to membrane desiccation.
Dry membranes impede chicks' ability to escape.
9. Days 20 to 21 Pipping but No Hatch
These are the final days of incubation. Many chicks reach this stage but still fail to hatch.
Normal Hatch Process
A healthy hatch follows a clear order.
- Internal pip into the air cell
- External pip through the shell
- Zipping and hatch
Each step takes time and strength.
Why Chicks Fail to Hatch
Several problems can stop the final hatch.
- Shrink-wrapped membranes
- Weak chicks that lack energy
- Assisting too early or too late
Helping at the wrong time can cause more harm.
Chicken vs Duck Hatch Timing
Hatch timing differs by species.
- Chickens hatch sooner
- Ducks may need extra days
Waiting longer is often normal for duck eggs.
10. Chicken vs Duck Egg Hatching Problems
Chicken and duck eggs have different needs during incubation. Knowing these differences helps reduce egg hatching problems. The table below shows the key points side by side.
|
Factor |
Chicken Eggs |
Duck Eggs |
|
Incubation length |
About 21 days |
About 28 days |
|
Humidity needs |
Moderate humidity |
Higher humidity |
|
Turning frequency |
Turn several times daily |
Turn several times daily |
|
Common failure days |
Days 1 to 3 and 18 to 21 |
Days 4 to 7 and late hatch |
11. How to Reduce Egg Hatching Problems
Good habits can improve hatch results.
- Use fresh and fertile eggs only.
- Maintain a stable temperature at all times
- Track egg development day by day
- Candle eggs correctly to check growth
- Keep the incubator clean and dry
Small changes can prevent many eggs from hatching.
12. Final Thoughts: Learn From Each Hatch
Hatching failures happen to everyone. Even skilled keepers lose eggs. What matters most is learning from each hatch. Watching growth closely improves results over time. Each failed hatch yields valuable insights and helps improve the next one.
People Also Ask (FAQs)
Q.1 Why do some eggs stop growing after the first week?
A. This often happens due to poor airflow, low humidity, or weak embryos. Early stress can stop growth.
Q.2 Can eggs hatch if the temperature is wrong for one day?
A. Short changes may not kill the embryo. Long or repeated heat issues often cause failure.
Q.3 How often should eggs be turned during incubation?
A. Eggs should be turned several times each day until the lockdown. Turning helps even growth.
Q.4 Is candling too often bad for eggs?
A. Yes. Candling too often can cool eggs and stress embryos. Check only when needed.
Q.5 Why do eggs smell bad during incubation?
A. A bad smell usually means the egg has died and started to rot. Remove it right away.
Q.6 Can dirty eggs still hatch?
A. Dirty eggs have a higher risk of bacteria. Clean eggs have better hatch success.
Q.7 Why do chicks die just before hatching?
A. Late death often comes from low humidity, poor oxygen, or weak chicks.
Q.8 Do older eggs have lower hatch rates?
A. Yes. Eggs stored too long lose moisture and strength, which lowers hatch success.
Q.9 Can power loss ruin a hatch?
A. Short power loss may not harm eggs. Long loss can cause serious incubation problems.
Q.10 Is it normal if only half the eggs hatch?
A. Yes. A fifty percent hatch rate is common for beginners and improves with experience.