If the embryos were already developing and then place in the refrigerator for a few days then the chances of the embryo still being alive are next to impossible. I have had success hatching refrigerated eggs that were refrigerated fresh and had not started developing.
I think waiting till day 5 to start turning them on top of the eggs being shipped probably led to the poor hatch rate. Birds don't wait until day 5 to start turning their eggs. I have hatched thousands of eggs and never waited to start turning them. Just my opinion.
Hi everyone! I am Mark and live in Prairieville, La. I have been keeping chickens for the past 25 years. I currently have blue, black, and splash OEGB, dark cornish bantams, and mille fleur d'uccle bantams. Looking forward to meeting some new people as crazy about chickens as I am.