Cause of Early Embryonic Death in Chicken

Correct Answer: Too high or too low temperature in incubator

Early embryonic death (embryo dies in the first few days of incubation) is caused by temperature extremes — either too high or too low.

• Too high temperature: Accelerates metabolic rate, causing malformations or death in early embryo when it is most vulnerable.
• Too low temperature: Slows development to a halt; below 21.1°C (physiological zero), embryonic development ceases entirely.

Detection

Early embryonic death is detected by first candling on 7th day. A blood ring seen during candling indicates early embryonic death — the blood vessels have collapsed and the blood has spread in a ring pattern.