Will the hen continue to sit on her eggs when humans touch eggs?

* Disturbance: Hens are very sensitive to their nests and eggs. Touching them can be perceived as a threat, causing the hen to become agitated and abandon her nest.

* Scent: Humans have a different scent than hens. The hen may pick up your scent on the eggs and reject them, leading to her abandoning the nest.

* Temperature: Body heat is essential for incubating eggs. Removing the eggs can cause a significant temperature drop, potentially affecting the development of the chicks.

* Stress: Handling the eggs can stress the hen, making her less likely to continue incubating.

However, there are some situations where it might be necessary to touch the eggs:

* Checking for fertility: If you want to ensure the eggs are fertile, you can gently candle them (shine a light through the shell to see if there's a developing chick inside). Do this quickly and carefully.

* Emergency situations: If the nest is in danger (e.g., predators), you may need to move the eggs temporarily for safety.

The best approach is to avoid touching the eggs unless absolutely necessary. If you must touch them, do it gently, quickly, and with clean hands.

Remember, the goal is to minimize disruption to the hen and her nesting process.