Found a stash

[tom e]

Found a stash of a dozen eggs that one of my EE girls has been laying behind a bird of paradise plant. Caught her going back there and took a look. I figure that's a little more than two weeks worth. Are they trash? Would you risk it and put them in the fridge?
Such a shame, she's not even sitting on them, just storing them up. I cracked two, and they look normal...

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

There is a float test for older eggs. Here is one thread:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=263116

 

[tom e]

Worked like a charm- all good eggs. Thanks!

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Quote:
You are welcome!

 

[FuzzyButtsFarm]

Sounds like she's built a stash to go broody on ya.

Let her hatch them.

 

[tom e]

Can I switch on her? Put some other eggs in their place? A friend offered me some dorking eggs, and we don't have anyone that lays white.. Think that might work? Would be nice not to have to buy an incubator..

 

[Kittymomma]

Sometimes they just hide them to hide them, it doesn't always mean that their going broody. If she does get the broody urge she'll go for it even if there are no eggs to sit on. I've had lots of hens try to hatch out nothing but pine shavings. You'll know if she goes broody and can put eggs under her if/when it happens--no need to waste them now.

eta--It is a good idea to leave an egg or two in her hidden nest though. If you take all of them she'll probably just find another hidden spot, but if you leave one or two there she'll keep laying where you know where to find them.

 

[gryeyes]

Kittymomma, thank you for that suggestion!

I, too, found a hidden nest a couple of days ago. More than one hen is using it... They had to really clamber over some major obstacles to get under there and lay those eggs, too.

 

[tom e]

Yep that's a great idea! I'll put a couple back in the morning.

 

[farmerChef]

If you don't want to waste an egg(idk how many you get a day). you could use some golf balls or ceramic/wood eggs. If you left a real egg out there eventually it will get broken, and the smell.......