Why do chickens incubate their eggs?

Answer 1

Chickens are creatures of habit. They can change nests, and often do, but for a stretch, they like one nest and one nest only. And there are usually fewer nest boxes than hens. When a broody hen claims one box to sit in, and other hens really like that particular box, there is a bit of a problem as to everyone getting time enough to sit. They will fuss and fume, but not actually fight for the nest.

It's more interesting to watch ducks. They will chose a nesting area. If one duck builds a good nest, then several ducks will share it. I've seen as many as 6 ducks at one time sharing a nest. It's almost like they like each other's company. The last duck to lay a egg is the one responsible for covering the eggs with down or dried grass. I've never seen them fuss about being the primary duck in the nest, like the chickens do.

Answer 2

At the point when the first chick hatches most hens will get up off the nest to clean up and remove shell pieces. Like cleaning house. They usually also eat/drink and defecate away from the nest. They return quickly though to continue hatching the rest of the eggs and offer protection to the emerging chicks.

Answer 3

Many times multiple hens will use the same nesting box. The hen in the nest at the time may not always wish to give up that nest. Struggles to share the same box or a hens haste to leave the box can cause eggs to be broken. Too many eggs in the nest result in the last few hens rolling eggs out of or away from the nest to make room and they can bang together. Once a crack in the egg happens, most hens will eat the cracked egg.

Answer 4

Chickens incubate their eggs to produce offspring.

Answer 5

They turn their eggs so they can be heated evenly on all sides.

Answer 6

They lay eggs, because they want to.