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Eggshell Hardness

Posted: Wed May 02, 2018 11:45 am
by KimChick
Does the humidity in an incubator have an affect on the hardness of the eggshell?

Re: Eggshell Hardness

Posted: Wed May 02, 2018 8:33 pm
by Ontario Chick
Not sure about humidity, but the developing embryo draws calcium and other minerals from the shell, which makes the shell brittle and easier for the chick to break thru

Re: Eggshell Hardness

Posted: Fri May 04, 2018 2:49 pm
by KimChick
Ontario Chick wrote:
Wed May 02, 2018 8:33 pm
Not sure about humidity, but the developing embryo draws calcium and other minerals from the shell, which makes the shell brittle and easier for the chick to break thru
Hmmm..... some of the unhatched eggs that I broke open against a wooden fence post corner did not seem very brittle. Or maybe it was just my perception.

Re: Eggshell Hardness

Posted: Fri May 04, 2018 3:09 pm
by windwalkingwolf
No, humidity has no effect on shell hardness. Shell hardness is dependent on hen health/age/nutrition, and changes during incubation depending on the developmental stage of the embryo. If the hen was deficient in phosphorous, D3 or magnesium, calcium uptake in the developing chick can be compromised...the chick shell loses very little hardness and the chick dies. Deficiencies in these areas also tend to cause weak shells in the first place, though, or irregularly deposited calcium ("spotty" looking shells when you candle, that are hard to see through)

Re: Eggshell Hardness

Posted: Fri May 04, 2018 8:13 pm
by KimChick
Thanks, WWW. Good to know.