Final answer:
The command verbs in the instructional text on incubating chicken eggs include 'pick', 'prepare', 'plug in', 'set', 'use', 'draw', 'turn', and 'put'. These steps are critical to imitate the natural incubation process, maintaining the appropriate temperature and humidity required for successful hatching of precocial chicken hatchlings.
Step-by-step explanation:
The text provided is an instructional guide on how to incubate chicken eggs. The command verbs found in the text instruct the reader on the process and include pick, prepare, plug in, set, use, draw, turn, and put. These steps are crucial for creating the ideal environment for incubating and hatching chicken eggs.
Ground-nesting birds like chickens have precocial hatchlings that are ready to move and feed themselves shortly after hatching, unlike altricial birds that require prolonged parental care. This ability is critical for survival as it reduces their vulnerability to predators. The incubation process in chickens mirrors the natural conditions provided by a mother hen, ensuring the eggs are kept at specific temperatures and humidity levels for optimal development.
It's essential to maintain an incubator at 37 to 37.5 degrees Celsius for a forced-air incubator or 38 to 39 degrees Celsius for a still-air incubator. Additionally, the humidity levels must be between 45 to 50% for the first 18 days, increasing to 65% in the final days before hatching. This process is similar to other species' incubation methods, such as bacteria, which are also incubated at specific temperatures for best results.