Incubating theory...

[Frozen Feathers]

I read somewhere on the internet that humidity for eggs under a hen is caused by the hen splashing water onto the eggs- I assume drooling or preening her breast feathers. So here's my theory, if you where to spray or spritz the eggs every time you turned them, wouldn't this have the same effect? As of right now I have been following the incubator instructions. It's an interesting thought, though.

 

[hinkjc]

Well, I have to be honest and tell you that I have wayyyy too many broody hens on a regular basis and have never seen them splash water on their eggs (now this only applies to our wild turkeys, ringneck pheasants and chickens). And we check on our girls a lot throughout the day. I have felt them a bit sweaty at hatch time tho. But that would be the same as increasing humidity in the bator, imo.

The only thing that may come of spraying water on your eggs is the introduction of potential bacteria. The reason I would think this is because it is not recommended to wash the eggs that will be hatched and using the wrong temperature water can force bacteria into the pores of the shell.

Jody

 

[silkiechicken]

Splashing water onto the eggs... now that sure sounds like a chicken... never seen that! I also wouldn't spray eggs with water. The chicks need to breathe through those shell's you'd be getting wet.

 

[WoodlandWoman]

Moisture evaporates off of skin.

 

[Frozen Feathers]

Okay...but since chickens don't have sweat glands...how are they sweating or how is it possible that their is moisture on their skin, unless they are preening themselves a lot....

 

[jackiedon]

I nearly lost one pullet from the heat this summer when I went out to her she was really wet and lethargic. I brought her in the house and gave her eletrlykes she survived but she was very wet when I found her.

jackie

 

[rooster-red]

Quote:
Condensation of water molecules from the air...
Like if you lay a piece of plastic on the ground overnight, next day you'll find water has condensed on the underside of the plastic because of the temperature differential between the outside air and the air trapped under the plastic.