Duck eggs exposed to cold

[allquackedup]

Our mallards have started to lay eggs. We have collected as they are layed but they are being exposed to the cold in the duck house. Hens are not setting on nest (broody). We bring them in and put them in the incubator knowing we will have mutiple stages of hatching. Question is are the eggs being damaged due to the exposure to cold weather before we collect them?

 

[tonini3059]

I doubt that there is any damage as long as they do not freeze. I only collect mine once a day and they are developing just fine, even with temps in the teens. I have found them ouside on frozen ground before and they developed as well so I do not think you should have any problems. One thing I would do is let them come up to room temperature before you stick them in the bator, you did not say if you were doing this so I just thought I would mention it.