COLD eggs, should i try to set them?

[Tony]

I`ve been doing my best to collect eggs ASAP everyday, but somedays I`m late and the eggs are Very Cold, not frozen solid yet, but cold. Should i attempt to set them in my incubator or just have a nice meal instead, till i find warmer ones. How long can they survive being that cold? I`m talking temps outside in 20`s-30`s. It probably doesn`t matter, but these eggs are half blue orp and half sex link or cherry egger or whatever they`re called. I think I read they`re half RIR and white rock for eggs production.
thanks Tony

 

[ksacres]

I set mine as long as they haven't been frozen. Maybe you'll have a lower hatch rate, but it shouldn't be a complete waste.

 

[horsejody]

Two weeks ago I set eggs that had been shipped to me. My neighbor wanted to put one of her hen's eggs in with mine. It was in the coop for a couple of hours when it was about 15 degrees outside. Then it was in the fridge for two or three hours. I left it on the counter to settle with my shipped eggs for 24 hours. Last night I candled. The chick was developing nicely and was wiggling up a storm. So I guess the weather didn't hurt it too much. With my luck, none of my expensive shipped eggs will hatch, and that one will.

 

[Cara]

I found some that one of my hens had laid while we were away at Christmas. She has never been a big layer, and there were 6 waiting in a nest when I got home. They had been out for several nights around 15F, and highs around 30F during the day. 5 of the 6 hatched.

 

[tiffanyh]

Yup!!
Put em in. what do you got to loose--except expensive electricity. Just make sure they know they have to be nice to Charlie's eggs once they make it into you bator!

 

[Tony]

Thanks all!! woohoo!!! Monday they`re going in. I`ll be sure that Charlies eggs and mine play nicely Tiffany. hehe!!
I set up my incubator tonight, so by Monday it should be ready to go. Yayyy!!! I`m one of YOU all now, I`m officially an incubator-er. I can`t wait to see what happens.
Thanks again. Tony