The eggs that are at the store are generally at least 2 weeks old.... If they were unfertilized I'd say they were fine for 3-4 days before being refrigerated. Since you have a roo.... not sure about the baby chick thing.....
Just thought I'd share with BYC I found Chicken Sitting Serivce in Seattle! SeattleChickenSitter.com. We don't have to worry about leaving enough food and water out for the girls anymore. Looking forward to our much needed weekend getaway!
They are okay. The day will come in a few weeks when you go out to the nesting boxes and someone left you a present. That is an awesomne moment- YOUR 1ST EGG!
Remember they egg-production slows in the winter... Be patient.
It has been very cold here in the NW the past week. Tonight it is already 18 degrees and for some reason those silly birds are sleeping on the pearch in there run! For the past few nights I have had a red heat lamp on (during the day too so water doesn't freeze) and closed the doors on there...
How long should it take to estabish a pecking order? It has been about two months now and they peck at eachother all the time, eating the feathers. They all pretty much have bare butts and naked areas near tail feathers.
Here's what I have done so far for my 4 buff hens that started laying...
Even though this is my first experiance with chickens - I'm going to vote for Buff Orps. The feed store here told me they are a tri-purpose bird: eggs, food, and friend. They are supposed to be good with kids, non-aggressive and bear confinement well. There feathers are a beautiful golden...