Chicken abandoned eggs, found cold this morning, can I warm them now?

[weesy68]

My silkie suddenly abandoned the two fertile eggs she has been sitting on for almost two weeks during the night. I found them cold this morning. I've been carrying them around in my bra since, I don't have an incubator set up yet. How long after they have gone cold will the eggs survive? Is it too late to re-warm them now? I only have a heat lamp and can't afford a new incubator this week, what temperature should the eggs be kept at? They are about five days away from hatching so I can't sleep with them in my bra ;-)

Any advice is appreciated!

 

[wegotchickens]

Yes. They may hatch late, or have issues, but I'll bet they're still viable.
Have you candled them? Maybe she abandoned them for a reason?

Depending on where you live, they may not have gotten very 'cold' at all.

 

[Sunny Side Up]

There is a possibility that they will still continue to develop & hatch. I've had this happen with broody hens where they've left eggs to go cold but when I put them back under the hen they go on to hatch.

BUT since your only options are your cleavage or a heat lamp, I'd go ahead & try keeping them warm & moist under the heat lamp. I don't know the exact temperature, maybe 99 degrees F? And I don't know about humidity, you should keep moist towels around them for that. Hopefully someone else with more experience will reply with better info.

It's certainly worth a try to get these eggs to hatch. I wish you & these egglings success, let us know what happens!

 

[weesy68]

I'm in CT, it was almost 70F during the night.

 

[pgpoultry]

I have found eggs abandoned and feeling quite cold to the touch which have gone on to hatch normally, so press on!


Sandie

 

[oesdog]

Keep going it is worth it - my hen died and her eggs went very very cold but I warmed themup slowely and we got one chick survived! It was hatched about a week late but is doing good so dont give up!

Oesdog

 

[weesy68]

Thanks all for the encouragement, I've set up a temporary incubator with a heat lamp, regular thermometer, and damp paper towels under the eggs. I'm hoping the silkie may lay again and go back to being broody

 

[Lynne Walker]

We have just found that our Banty has abandoned her eggs after 19 days she was sitting on 10 Sable poot eggs. Tried all ways to get her back on them. Fortunately we have 24 various eggs hatching at the moment ,we quickly warmed up a spare incubator to 37.5 @55humidity. Here's hoping , I will keep posted.

 

[haz123]

Did they hatch ok ? I have same problem with duck eggs

 

[haz123]

just realized you have posted this today, my duck has done exactly the same thing.... do we warm them or not? they are due to hatch on Tuesday?