Natural Lockdown?

[jberger10]

I was wondering if hens know to stop turning their eggs 3 days before hatch?

 

[Brunty_Farms]

Ya, I think the whole lockdown thing is bogus in a way. First off, the hen moves her feet all the time and is always situating herself and the eggs. Secondly, the humidity really never changes.... does the hen spit on her eggs on day 18?

I guess I don't really understand it either.

 

[Chicky Tocks]

Ok

I have only ever witnessed one of my girls doing her broody thing and I will say that she sat a little tighter and got just a little more ferocious a few days before her babies hatched. I don't know if you'd consider that lockdown, but I know for sure that she stopped getting up to eat or pewp there at the end.

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

Theoretically, yes...

The hens will start setting longer and "harder" those last few days. I always know when eggs are going to start hatching because the hen will not move from her nest for a day or two before.


But instead of moving from her nest (which would reduce the humidity under her) she keeps the humidity steady by sitting tight. The rotation thing...she keeps her feet moving. I've yet to see a hen not move the eggs under her.