? about saving fertile eggs UNTIL broody is ready??????

[chooniecat]

I know I can probably find this already answered on here somewhere(puter is very slow but likes the forum section well enuf so I use IT!) so... I have a BR hen(1 of 3) that I am using for her fertile eggs(they're in my broody pen) BUT she reguarly pecks a hole in her egg SO I want to seperate ALL of the eggs I may use until I can guarantee Suzette(potential hen to hatch-shes been there done that before)will set. HOW long can I keep fertile eggs in frig before they are no longer viable? I remember reading 10 days but.... thanks if u can answer.

 

[Lucky1]

They say not to put them in the fridge, put them in an egg carton on your counter or in a spot that is about 50-60 degrees and alternately prop up each side twice a day. Some people say 7 days max while others will go up to 10-14, its really your choice. hope i helped a little bit.

 

[chooniecat]

finding a 50 degree spot may be difficult and I question if ANY chix are hatched out(naturally) if thats required. I will attempt this and pray that suzette goes broody immediately! only want 8 eggs so if I start collecting today may take 4 days. Thanks!

 

[sumi]

If you can keep them in a cool spot for max 4 days they should be fine. Is your hen broody? Or are you hoping if you put the eggs in the box for her she'll sit?

 

[Ridgerunner]

You might try reading this article. It gives good information about how to store eggs for incubation.

Texas A&M Incubation site
http://gallus.tamu.edu/library/extpublications/b6092.pdf

These recommendations are general guidelines, targets to shoot for, not absolute unbending laws of nature. These guidelines do not guarantee absolute perfect success if you follow them exactly, nor do they guarantee total failure if you violate one. Just follow them the best you reasonably can. The more you violate them, the more you reduce your odds of total success, but many of us don't do things exactly right and still have pretty good success.

On the temperature, for example. I don't even remember the "ideal" temperature range for storage given in that article, but I don't have a place that meets that. I store them on my kitchen counter with the AC for the house set in the mid 70's. I just had a broody hatch 11 out of 11 eggs stored that way. Some people in hot climates may store the hatching eggs in a refrigerator if they don't have a better place. Different refrigerators are set to different temperatures. That's why they have an adjustable thermostat in them. Some spots in the refrigerator may be warmer than other spots so storing them in a refrigerator means different things to different people. The longer they are stored in the refrigerator and the colder they are stored, the less likely they are to get a great hatch rate. But many people get really good hatch rates storing eggs in the refrigerator. Know the target to shoot for, then just do the best you reasonably can.

I don't fully understand what is going on with the hen that is pecking holes in the eggs, but it may be years or never before any of your hens go broody. Not all hens go broody, even if they are breeds that are known to often go broody. They go broody when the hormones kick in. Those hormones may never kick in for your hens.

 

[chooniecat]

You might try reading this article. It gives good information about how to store eggs for incubation.
Texas A&M Incubation site
http://gallus.tamu.edu/library/extpublications/b6092.pdf
These recommendations are general guidelines, targets to shoot for, not absolute unbending laws of nature. These guidelines do not guarantee absolute perfect success if you follow them exactly, nor do they guarantee total failure if you violate one. Just follow them the best you reasonably can. The more you violate them, the more you reduce your odds of total success, but many of us don't do things exactly right and still have pretty good success.
On the temperature, for example. I don't even remember the "ideal" temperature range for storage given in that article, but I don't have a place that meets that. I store them on my kitchen counter with the AC for the house set in the mid 70's. I just had a broody hatch 11 out of 11 eggs stored that way. Some people in hot climates may store the hatching eggs in a refrigerator if they don't have a better place. Different refrigerators are set to different temperatures. That's why they have an adjustable thermostat in them. Some spots in the refrigerator may be warmer than other spots so storing them in a refrigerator means different things to different people. The longer they are stored in the refrigerator and the colder they are stored, the less likely they are to get a great hatch rate. But many people get really good hatch rates storing eggs in the refrigerator. Know the target to shoot for, then just do the best you reasonably can.
I don't fully understand what is going on with the hen that is pecking holes in the eggs, but it may be years or never before any of your hens go broody. Not all hens go broody, even if they are breeds that are known to often go broody. They go broody when the hormones kick in. Those hormones may never kick in for your hens.

Sorry-just got back from showers/food at moms house- electric went out so I guess maybe that was a hint to NOT refridgerate fertile eggs!!!!anyhoo- said hen I want to use went broody and hatched 10 on mothers day(may 21 or so?) so I am praying she will go broody as she did last time(and I just stuck her in with the offered eggs and she went broody immediately-I was VERY lucky-altho she DID lay 1 of her own eggs). I just wanted another plan IF she doesn't go broody immediately like she did in May. Have another hen that was broody for WEEKS and then stopped. I didn't discourage/encourage her I was just too busy to do either. Suzette, hen I want to try again, is a Salmon Faverolles-4 yrs old, and I may stick her in with the breeders AFTER I seperate some eggs because I don't want any of suzettes eggs(I am maxed out chicken-populationwize and do NOT like processing unique chickens)so will just collect ANY eggs suzette/breeders may lay AFTER suzettes put in.(thanks for the article/info)

 

[Sweetlilbaby]

What temp do you keep your house at? Find the coolest spot of your house and store the eggs there. I store eggs until I put them in an incubator in my laundry room.
I have hatched eggs that have been in a fridge. I was told they were unknown how long they were outside (found nest) and kept in a fridge for "about a week" and I got half of them to hatch
if you want better then 50% hatch rate do not keep them in the fridge.
I've also had eggs that sat out in 70 degree weather, I incubated them and had one hatch on day 16 of my incubation. It was fully formed. They slowly begin to form in the egg if it's warm enough LOL
You could also start the eggs in a home made incubator and if the hen goes broody put them under her. That way she'll have less time she has to spend on her nest before getting chicks. Or if she doesn't go broody you'll still have baby chicks from the incubator.

 

[chooniecat]

Can't do a bator currently and from what I am reading it seems that everyone has had luck(good/bad) many different ways. Do my best thinking when half asleep so will consider a couple of options overnight. I can put them in basement(have no AC) but wonder if dehumidifier would dry them up while they wait. OR may just leave them in nest area of broodie pen(its an old dog house-4'x4' on legs) and reach in daily to mark eggs each day as they happen. I confuse myself. Suzette(potential broody from past experiences) will be put in a few days from now and the breeders taken out so Suzette has a private area. It worked last time so I hope it does again.Shes been broody 2 times in 3 of her adult laying years(last one was what I considered an "encouraged" brood) and I am going to try again I think. Pic of Suzette with last batch of 10 that because of my inexperience(were supposed to be ALL Black Australorp) got 2 Blk Australorp/Barred Rock, 1 Salmon Faverolles/BA,and 7 Blk. Austrlorp. Live, screw up, learn. They're all gorgeous young'uns now almost 4 months old.