Out of 400 eggs in the incubator, I was lucky to have less than 3 dozen that didn\'t hatch. Most of them didn\'t develop but there were a few that candled full term and just didn\'t pip.
I helped four chicks out of the shell who did pip but just couldn\'t get crackin. All four acted and looked normal, but smaller, in the beginning. By 2 or 3 months of age, all four had crossed beaks.
They were from different roosters so I don\'t think it is genetic. I guess it had to do with conditions in incubation.
What are the chances for a chick who is helped out of the shell to be a normal, healthy adult? If they have trouble getting out of the shell, will their offspring have the same problem?