cold eggs

[nhchickenfarmer]

im in central NH and after testing i have found a good number of my eggs fertile, i would like to incubate them but dont want to waste my time, i was wondering how long an egg can survive in the cold, my hens are not broody so the eggs are layed and left, sometimes its a few hours before i get to them, i dont think they are frozen as they are not cracked, just wondering if anyone had any input?

 

[gabrielle1976]

If they havnt frozen then give it a go they should be ok. Just make sure they are room temp befor putting them in the incubator , if its chilly outside that could take a bit so give them a good 12 hours or so . How many eggs do you get and how many are you wanting to set. Just out of curiousity?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

If your coop is unheated, uninsulated, the temp is below freezing and the eggs have been in there for a couple hours you can probably forget it but down to freezing they should be viable.

 

[Sally Sunshine]

as long as you hadnt let condensation at them and they werent frozen I would set them! Good Luck!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/hatching-eggs-101

"IF THE EGGS ARE COLD Condensation can cause bacterial growth on the eggs!"
Omphalitis, yolk sack infection is caused by a bacterium that enters through the porous egg shell and easily kills embryo's and newly hatched chicks.


also this is a good read http://www.lohmann-information.com/content/l_i_46_artikel7.pdf