Cold eggs??

[IBPerez]

Hey everyone, my rir hen went broody on some golf balls(day 5) but for some reason she didn't lay any eggs. I want to get her eggs that are fertilized by my rooster but the eggs were In the fridge for about a week is it ok if I give some to her?? Thanks for looking

 

[ChristieB]

Once a hen is broody she stops laying so nothing to worry about there.
many people say it's not possible but I have hatched eggs that were in the fridge for a week then sat ou on the bench for another week before I could set them.
First thing to do is make sure they are pointed end down in the carton and get them up to room temperature by leaving them out of the fridge at least a day before putting them under her. If you have other hens in the coop you may want to section the broody off or move her to a separate pen or "broody pen" to prevent other eggs ending up in her nest or eggs being crushed in scuffles. Hope that helps, good luck!!

 

[IBPerez]

Thank you

 

[Ridgerunner]

Yeah, people like to think we deal with absolutes with chickens but it just doesn’t work that way. It’s not a case that refrigerated eggs absolutely won’t hatch any more than they absolutely will hatch. Some might hatch. If you follow Christie’s instructions you have a chance. Good luck!

It’s better to set fresher non-refrigerated eggs if you have them. Or add them to the clutch. Your odds of success will go up some. Do you have other hens laying? A broody hen will set on any hens eggs and treat them as if they were her own.

 

[IBPerez]

That's the problem, none of my other hens seem to be laying eggs, that's why I asked I I was able to use refrigerated eggs.