Found a secret stash. Is this normal?

[XscoreX]

I was weed eating an overgrown hill today on my property and as I cut back the brush I found a stash of 12 eggs! They look like my little bantam eggs. Is this normal? I have 2 broody hens sitting in the 2 nesting boxes. I only have 3 girls. Would the 3rd go out and make her own nest in the bushes? At first I had thought I had found turtle or snake eggs as I live on a lake out in the country. How long do eggs stay viable for hatching if they sit out like this? How long do eggs stay viable if they arent sat on? Could I put these in an incubator and hatch them? I have no idea how long these have been out there. Some maybe 2 weeks.

 

[Sea Wolf]

Can't hurt to try in an incubator. Snake eggs are hidden under things like rock and wood piles. Turtle eggs are buried 6 inches or more undergound. Nope, you have chicken eggs. Put them in an incubator and candle them in a week or so. You'll know if anything is developing. Not all chickens are going to follow your rules about using the nest box. Some just have the attitude that they will lay in someplace else of their choosing and have no respect for what the silly human wants.

 

[XscoreX]

Thanks. Someone said they may be grouse eggs, the description sounds spot on. 8 to 12 eggs in a small depression in undergrowth. I think the more logical answer is bantams though.both eggs look identical.i wish i had an in ubator to put them in

 

[Sea Wolf]

Grouse would be if you found them under a bush out in the woods far away from people. A local farm store would have either the Little Giant type or, even better the Genesis type incubator. Barring that, if you have a broody bird, stick all the eggs under her.

 

[adstowe]

You said you have 2 broody hens sitting in the nesting boxes. How long have they been sitting on eggs? If they just started throw a few of these under them and see what happens.

 

[aart]

I have 2 broody hens sitting in the 2 nesting boxes. I only have 3 girls.

If the broodies are taking up the only 2 nests, not surprising the third will find someplace else to lay.
If you only have 3 girls, and no male, eggs won't be fertile.

 

[adstowe]

Good point! I didn't even think to question whether or not they even had a rooster