Egg Residue Breakout Analysis for Backyard Birds

Solving hatching problems in a backyard chicken flock presents a number of unique challenges owing to the many variables that can affect the chick successfully removing itself from the egg. The first step to solving hatch problems is to diagnose the problem by performing an egg residue breakout analysis. Information may be gained to determine if the egg was fertile, approximately when and why the embryo died, and diagnose why the hatch may not have been successful. The purpose of this clinical technique article is to be a practical guide for performing routine egg residue breakout analysis on backyard chicken flocks.