How does the hen up the humidity

[ziggy1964]

Just wondered how the broody would up the
Humidity in the final days ? Ad I've had
Advice as that the first 18days isn't crucial
To get bang on , but must on day of lock down !
I had a bad first hatch had a dozen in , 10 weren't fertile
Or damaged during shipping, but I had two perfectly
Formed dead in shell! They hadn't broken the membrane
So I assume they died prior to pipping both were big ,
Would a spike kill them off? I had two really spike days
Go to 41 and 44c . Regards ziggy

 

[Cindiloohoo]

My theory...ya know how when you have your arms folded or legs crossed in the summer time, and your skin sweats where there is contact, which is moisture, it's kind of the same as that. The last days of incubation, the baby chicks inside the shell are creating some of their own body heat. Their body heat against the mother's body heat, makes for moisture similar to sweat, but not actually sweat. I think it is the babies losing more of the dampness from inside the shell during the last few days. Just a theory

Temp spikes can/will kill them......and make fertiles appear infertile if big spikes early on.

 

[StormyMoon]

Chickens pluck their belly feathers and when she sits on the eggs she sweats creating humidity

 

[redhd077]

Quote:
Do they just pluck their belly feathers if they are going broody? or do they all do it?

 

[clarmayfarm]

My Grandma would say. " the Broody hen is "sitting tight"..." usually 2-3 days before hatching, the hen will not leave the nest. She also will sit still, and according to some sources, she will not turn the eggs the last couple of days...hmmm....she may know more than us???

The broody hens will usually start pulling their feathers when they go broody, helps keep the eggs warm against her skin.