Eggs sat on...and then stored?

[chuckachucka]

I know this question must have been asked before but I can't seem to find an answer. If some eggs are sat on by a broody hen for several hours and then the hen leaves the nest, is it possible to save those eggs for a few days before incubating them again? Once the incubation process has begun, can it be 'paused' and for how long? Assuming the eggs were very fresh when the hen starrted sitting on them, so egg age isn't an issue. Or will any fertilised eggs die for certain if abandoned after a short period of incubation?

 

[Njroosters]

Yes. They will work if stored properly.

 

[lazy gardener]

A few hours does not = start of the incubation period. When a broody is building her clutch, she will return to the nest every day and add an egg. Often a hen will lounge in the nest a bit before she leaves! And, there is also an incubation tool in which eggs are incubated for a few days, then candled to remove the clears. Those good eggs are put into storage while a new batch is then set, and the same process repeated. THEN, the first batch is brought back, the 2 groups combined, and incubation is completed with all eggs hatching at the same time. It has been a very long time since I read this study, and don't know where to find it. Just more trivia taking up cell space in the noggin!

 

[chuckachucka]

A few hours does not = start of the incubation period. When a broody is building her clutch, she will return to the nest every day and add an egg. Often a hen will lounge in the nest a bit before she leaves! And, there is also an incubation tool in which eggs are incubated for a few days, then candled to remove the clears. Those good eggs are put into storage while a new batch is then set, and the same process repeated. THEN, the first batch is brought back, the 2 groups combined, and incubation is completed with all eggs hatching at the same time. It has been a very long time since I read this study, and don't know where to find it. Just more trivia taking up cell space in the noggin!

interesting! I'm thinking there must be some kind of limit to how long an egg can be incubated for before it becomes essential that it is not removed from the right heat/humidity. I mean if an egg I incubated for a week, it can only be away from the incubator or hen for a few hours without dying, right? But what if it is incubated for24 hours? Or 48? I've read that incubation officially begins at 12 hours of constantly correct temperature.

 

[lazy gardener]

You would have to find the protocol that pertains to the scenario I mentioned. There were specific time frames, and specific storage temps involved.

 

[chuckachucka]

Ah. Well right now, I have three eggs laid by a hen who sat on them for around 30 hours before deciding to give up and leave the nest. But I'm also expecting my silkie (a broodaholic) to go broody any day now...should be within a week or so. Is it possible to save these eggs for the silkie to sit on? Should I fire up the incubator and give them to the silkie later, which I don't really want to do (it's a homemade and requires a lot of attention to maintain temps). Or just toss the eggs? It's a quandary.

 

[lazy gardener]

No advice to offer, Your flock, your choices.

 

[chuckachucka]

No advice to offer, Your flock, your choices.

Dang. Now who will make my decisions for me??

 

[lazy gardener]

 

[rebrascora]

I'm sure @casportpony did an accidental experiment in respect of this where eggs were started and then got accidentally left on a bench top for a week or so from memory, then may even have been put into the fridge before finally being successfully incubated and L believe there was no turning involved during this period. It is a long time since I read her post about it and I may have the details wrong, but hopefully she can enlighten us.
I would certainly agree that a few hours in neither here nor there and the eggs could easily be stored on the bench top with occasional turning for a few days until incubation is restarted.