My hen's eggs have a bloody membrane

[Reaperprincess]

Hello there my chicks are hatching in the incubater as we speak and the eggs from one of my RIR's eggs have a very thick shell and a bloody membrane. This is my second time trying to hatch her eggs the previous time we had to help two of the chicks to hatch because they pipped but they didn't zip. The membrane was very bloody and tough. This time we lost one because we saw the pip but not two hours later the chick stopped moving. Is there anything I can do?

 

[Kiki]

Do you have a calibrated thermometer and a salt tested humidity gauge in your incubator?

If not get these:
https://www.amazon.com/Govee-Hygrom...ocphy=1026481&hvtargid=pla-1950653192158&th=1

 

[Reaperprincess]

Do you have a calibrated thermometer and a salt tested humidity gauge in your incubator

If not get these:
https://www.amazon.com/Govee-Hygrometer-Thermometer-Temperature-Monitoring/dp/B09DPCW47P/ref=asc_df_B09DPCW47P?mcid=c4ad6f54c63c327eb6c11a03e7c6ba30&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=693713553055&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17499871466822050538&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcm

Do you have a calibrated thermometer and a salt tested humidity gauge in your incubator?

If not get these:
https://www.amazon.com/Govee-Hygrom...ocphy=1026481&hvtargid=pla-1950653192158&th=1

No i dont have those i only have a normal themometor set to 100⁰F

It is a still air incubater

 

[Kiki]

It is a still air incubater

When your temp or humidity are off you have hatching problems like this. Get these Govees so you are SURE your readings are correct for next time.

 

[Reaperprincess]

When your temp or humidity are off you have hatching problems like this. Get these Govees so you are SURE your readings are correct for next time.

Thank you. But why is it just the one hen's eggs giving problems?

 

[Kiki]

Thank you. But why is it just the one hen's eggs giving problems?

Location in the bator, maybe.

 

[Reaperprincess]

Location in the bator, maybe.

They are all over in there. But it is ok i am just a little upset we lost one but thanks for the advise wil try it next time.

 

[Ridgerunner]

they pipped but they didn't zip. The membrane was very bloody and tough. This time we lost one because we saw the pip but not two hours later the chick stopped moving. Is there anything I can do?

Before they hatch chicks need to absorb the yolk, absorb the blood from their blood vessels in the membrane, and handle a few other things. Many do this between internal pip and external pip. We like these as they usually zip fairly soon after external pip. Others external pip fairly soon after internal pip and then spend a day or so before finishing up and finally zipping. These cause us concern as we can see them. it can be really hard to know when to help.

Not all chicks follow this. Some can have "birth defects". These may cause them to have trouble hatching or not hatch at all. About half of the chicks I help hatch don't make it. There is just something wrong with them, even if it is not evident.

I don't know why that specific hen's eggs are having problems. Since you can isolate it to her eggs there is something about them. Since you have identified a problem I would not set any of her eggs again. If any of her eggs hatch I would not allow any of her offspring to breed. I'd be concerned it might be genetic and she could pass that down into your flock. I especially would not keep any of her sons to be a flock rooster.