Does a hatching chicken egg need light?

Here's why:

* Natural incubation: In nature, hens sit on their eggs in nests, which are often dark and secluded. The developing chick receives all the necessary warmth and humidity from the hen's body.

* Internal development: The chick's development is driven by the internal processes of the embryo, not by external light. The yolk sac provides nutrients, and the embryo uses its own metabolic processes to grow.

* Light can be harmful: While light isn't necessary, it can actually be harmful to hatching eggs. Too much light can cause the embryo to become stressed and even die.

However, there are some exceptions:

* Artificial incubation: In artificial incubators, some light is usually provided for monitoring purposes, but it should be dim and red in color to avoid disrupting the chicks.

* Broodiness: Some hens become "broody" and sit on eggs that are not fertile or have already been hatched. These hens may need some light to encourage them to leave the nest and eat.

In general, a hatching chicken egg needs warmth, humidity, and a stable environment, but not light.