Light during incubation

[Debbie292d]

A couple of years ago I was questioned on my silkie thread when I posted a picture of my incubators in front of a west window. Granted, any sun coming in, even if indirect, could effectively raise the temperature of the eggs and/or the incubator, so I keep the window double-shaded.

That said, I just read an article summarizing studies in which eggs exposed to light during incubation can behave differently, in a positive manner, after hatching, than those that were kept in the dark.

Pretty "enlightening" info!

https://www.poultryworld.net/health-nutrition/health/could-light‑incubated-eggs-benefit-chicks/

 

[thecatumbrella]

That was a good read! In their testing, it made a lot of sense. An egg under "continuous darkness" wouldn't have exposure to any stimuli. Chickens also have a different relationship to light than we do, with their extra cones or receptors (or whatever the eyeball terms are).

It makes me wonder how chicks under a broody hen would fit in this spectrum. Mom obviously gets up to leave a couple times a day, but she provides more darkness than lights on a timer, and nests would typically be more private/shaded overall.

Thanks for sharing!