Is humidity a worry when using a broody?

[PantherWaltz]

Hi, there! One of my hens went broody, it's her first time, and we decided to give her some fertile eggs to hatch. The eggs are do late next week to early the week after. We've never used a broody, and I've never successfully hatched on my own to begin with. So my question is do I have to worry about humidity when having the broody hatch the eggs?

Some additional info:

• Hen is a Cinnamon Queen, and was born last spring.
• I live in Nevada, and it's a very hot summer.
• Her coop is in a somewhat shady area but also gets direct sunlight in the morning.
• We currently have the top open so that it's not too hot in the coop.
• Eggs appear to be at about day 15.
• Eggs are 4 silkie/bantam Easter egger mix, 1 full bantam Easter egger.

 

[Debbie292d]

Humidity wouldn't worry me as she can keep it regulated under her. That's why they peck off the feathers on their underside so their skin is in direct contact with the eggs.

The heat would worry me for her sake though. She hopefully is getting off once or twice a day to get food/water. If you see she's not, you might want to make her a small dish of mash by mixing her crumbles or pellets with cool water. That way she gets some nourishment along with some water.

 

[PantherWaltz]

The heat would worry me for her sake though. She hopefully is getting off once or twice a day to get food/water.

She is! I've seen her take her 'lunch breaks'. We have three separate water feeders so that there's always somewhere close by for the gals to drink, we even have one in the coop. I've also put some food at the entrance of the coop so that she doesn't have to go too far if she doesn't feel like going to the normal feeding area.

I was also pretty worried about the heat, but it seems like she's doing fine. I put a tray of ice in the coop to kind of keep the general area cool. We also have a large tray of ice water for the birds to dip their feet in, but since she's not really leaving the coop much I doubt she'll go in it, but the ice tray in the coop should be good enough I think!

There's trees surrounding the coop so most of the time there's shade, besides right in the morning when the Sun is at the right angle to hit it.