Brood eggs accidentally got collected and put in the refrigerator.

[MariLouJane]

I had several dozen eggs that my hen was sitting on and the eggs accidentally got collected by a family member and put in the refrigerator. are these eggs still able to hatch or should I get rid of them?
This was the first time that I was letting my hen sit on eggs. I don't have much experience with hatching chicks.
Does anyone have any advice?
thanks!
in oregon

 

[sourland]

How long were they in the refrigerator? To begin with several dozen is far too many eggs for a single hen to incubate.

 

[MariLouJane]

they were in the fridge a couple of days.
There were two hens laying in the same nest.
How many is a good amount for one hen?
thanks for responding!!!

 

[sourland]

In my opinion, two days is too long. I would recommend discarding the eggs. Two hens could quite likely cover two dozen eggs depending upon the size of the hens. I have always had better success when my hens set separately. Sometimes hens on a communal nest get quarreling over the eggs and problems can occur - other times all can go well. Sorry about this loss. Bet they don't make the same mistake again. Here's an idea - next time mark the eggs so that your 'helpers' will have an indication that something is going on with them.




Edited to add:

 

[MariLouJane]

Dear Broody Magician
Thanks for your input and opinion on my situation. I am going to go ahead and dispose of the eggs. I don't want to spend effort to end up with chicks that are less that optimal. Thanks for your help. My chickens thank you also!!
so I am going to buy an incubator. I don't need anything really big but would like to supply some of my family,friends and neighbors who want to have egg layers with some starts and maybe sell a few to pay for feed. Can you suggest any? make our own? get one with an automatic turner or manually turn eggs??
thanks again.
mariloujane in oregon