Why Didn’t My Eggs Hatch? Top Causes and How to Fix Them

There’s nothing more exciting than waiting for chicks to hatch—only to be left disappointed when the incubator stays quiet. If you’ve asked yourself “Why didn’t my eggs hatch?”, you’re not alone. Even experienced poultry keepers face hatch failures from time to time.

The good news? Every failed hatch is a chance to learn and improve. Let’s look at the most common reasons why eggs don’t hatch—and what you can do to boost your success next time.

1. Egg Quality & Handling

The journey begins before the eggs even reach your incubator. Poor egg quality is one of the leading causes of hatch failure.

• Fertility matters – not every egg is fertile, even from healthy hens.
• Storage time – eggs older than 7–10 days lose viability quickly.
• Damage or contamination – cracks or dirty shells can let bacteria in.

Tip: Store eggs in a cool room (10–15°C), pointed end down, and set them as soon as possible for the best results.

2. Temperature Troubles

Embryos are very sensitive to temperature. Just a degree too high or too low for an extended period can mean the difference between life and death.

• Too low → development slows or stops.
• Too high → chicks may develop abnormally or die before hatching.
• Fluctuations → inconsistent incubation can cause weak chicks.

Tip: Use a reliable incubator thermometer and check calibration before every hatch.

3. Humidity Imbalance

Humidity affects how much moisture the egg loses during incubation.

• Too low → chicks dehydrate inside the shell.
• Too high → chicks can “drown” during hatch because the air cell is too small.

Tip: Monitor with a hygrometer and adjust water trays as needed. Aim for around 40–50% humidity during incubation, and 65–70% at lockdown.

👉 Shop our Range of Hygrometers to ensure your incubator is behaving.

4. Turning Issues

Eggs must be turned several times a day up until day 18 (for chickens). Without turning, embryos can stick to the shell and fail to develop.

• Manual turning – at least 3–5 times daily.
• Automatic turning – more consistent and reduces mistakes.

Tip: If you’re hand-turning, always rotate eggs at the same times each day to maintain consistency.

5. Hygiene & Air Quality

Incubators that aren’t cleaned properly between hatches can harbour bacteria or mould that harm embryos. Likewise, poor airflow can suffocate developing chicks.

Tip: Wash and disinfect your incubator thoroughly after each hatch, and ensure vents are open for fresh oxygen exchange.

6. External Factors & Mistakes

Sometimes, the problem isn’t the incubator at all:

• Power outages or voltage drops.
• Room temperatures dropping too low.
• Forgetting to refill water trays or check settings.

Tip: Place your incubator in a stable, draft-free room. A backup power plan (even a small UPS) can save a hatch.

7. Candling: Learning as You Go

Candling eggs with a bright light helps you track development. Clear eggs by day 7 usually mean infertility, while blood rings or early death can reveal hidden problems.

👉 Shop our Origin UV Egg Candler to make candling easier and safer.

Quick Troubleshooting Checklist

• ✔️ Were your eggs fresh and fertile?
• ✔️ Did you maintain a steady temperature?
• ✔️ Was humidity at the right level?
• ✔️ Were eggs turned daily?
• ✔️ Was the incubator clean and ventilated?

🔧 Recommended Tools for Better Hatches

• Hygrometers – check your humidity is on track.
• Incubator Cleaning Solutions – start fresh each hatch.
• UPS Power Backups – keep your incubator running through outages.
• Origin UV Egg Candler – see what’s happening inside your eggs.

Final Thoughts

Hatch failures can be discouraging, but they also provide valuable lessons. By checking egg quality, keeping conditions stable, and monitoring closely, you’ll dramatically improve your success rate.

This article is the first in our Incubation Troubleshooting Series—stay tuned for the next part where we’ll dive deeper into egg quality and handling tips.

🐥 Ready to hatch with confidence? Explore our full range of Origin Series Incubators and poultry accessories to give your chicks the best possible start.