How does a hen regulate humidity when hatching eggs?

[lexustami]

My DH won't leave me alone until I find out the answer to this question. He won't let me by with the "that's nature" answer. He wants something more scientific.

Anyone?

Thanks.

Tami

 

[rooster-red]

By pulling its tummy feathers out to expose the skin to directly contact the egg.

At least thats what my broody did.

 

[lexustami]

Quote:
But what is causing the humidity? Does the humidity rise during the last 3 days like in artificial incubation? If so, what specifically causes the rise in humidity.

Also, any links to any scientific data would be helpful.

Thanks.

Tami

 

[jimnjay]

I don't know why or any scientific link but the hen does not actually sit on the eggs. She squats over them. I would imagine she knows by the activity within the egg when she needs to be lower or higher over the egg. Her body will provide more or less moisture depending on the amount of air that is around the egg.

Funny how men what to know all the specifics and whys when most women just accept the miracle of the egg and a mama's ability to bring their babies into the world.

 

[TxChiknRanchers]

You know this whole incubating thing scares the hecko out of me. I have asked myself the same question"How does the hen regulate humidity and temp?"

The temp thing is understandable but with no thermometer ? What we have decided to do is let the "pros" do it, and if no hen goes broody so be it!

we'll just buy more chicks I suppose.
randy

 

[bantymum]

I have a hen sitting on eggs, ill go out and ask her, be right back!!!

 

[TxChiknRanchers]

ok im waiting..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................!

 

[bantymum]

Well that was interesting indeed.
Fluffy said that she watches the weather reports and when the humidity is going to be right she will start to brood.

And she said that they take turns to raise chicks and draw straws to decide who's next on the nest.

Also if someone has been naughty, they get sent to the nestbox for timeout for 21 days.
They have a meeting with the boss chook first.
Then if they still havent had their attitude adjustment, they get sent to Purple chickens house for bootcamp.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Also she said that the pores on her skin sweat when her chest rubs against the eggs, she rotates them so they each have a turn in the outer circle.(true)

She also said she has a headache and is not really in a talking mood but said I should ask her tommorrow.

 

[Dipsy Doodle Doo]

Hi!
No scientific basis whatsoever, but I don't think the humidity changes under the hen (or the hen changes the humidity) during incubation.
I think it stays 'just right' .
Then again, I've read there are places where hens can't successfully incubate eggs because it is so dry.

When I go back out, I'll pop a hygrometer under a hen and see what it reads

(I've done that before and I think it read around 55%).

Lisa

 

[bantymum]

I used to put soil under some hay in the nests to aid this humidity and I also used to spray the eggs with a fine mist once a day for their last 3 days before hatching, I dont do this anymore and they are all fine with their mummas.