Cold eggs, urgent!

[michelley515]

Hi everyone, I have a bit of an emergency. Something (presumably a raccoon) grabbed a mama off her nest sometime through the night last night. The eggs were close to hatching. It was around 35°F here last night and the eggs are cold. Is there any chance these babies will hatch if I get them in an incubator?

 

[humblehillsfarm]

Hi everyone, I have a bit of an emergency. Something (presumably a raccoon) grabbed a mama off her nest sometime through the night last night. The eggs were close to hatching. It was around 35°F here last night and the eggs are cold. Is there any chance these babies will hatch if I get them in an incubator?

Might as well try! They will for sure be gonners if you leave them, but 35 is pretty cold so I would be prepared for the possibility of disappointment. How close to hatch?

 

[humblehillsfarm]

I believe within a few days. I'm honestly not sure. She disappeared a couple weeks back and I just found her 2 days ago sitting on eggs. When I candled them though, there wasn't much room left for light to get through

I'd still incubate them if you're wanting chicks, there's always that chance they will make it. So close to hatch though, like I said, I wouldn't get your hopes up.

 

[michelley515]

Might as well try! They will for sure be gonners if you leave them, but 35 is pretty cold so I would be prepared for the possibility of disappointment. How close to hatch?

I believe withing a few days. I'm not entirely certain. Mama disappeared a couple weeks back and I just found her 2 days ago sitting on eggs. When I candled them though, there wasn't much room for light to get through so I'm guessing quite soon

 

[michelley515]

I'd still incubate them if you're wanting chicks, there's always that chance they will make it. So close to hatch though, like I said, I wouldn't get your hopes up.

My hope's were already up so too late for that :/ But I will try and see what we get. Thank you!

 

[Offshoreorca]

My hope's were already up so too late for that :/ But I will try and see what we get. Thank you!

We've had success incubating after hens were taken off the nest by predators at night - I would give it a try even though it was cold out. Candle for movement after tonight or tomorrow, once they've been in the incubator for a while.