Found out where the eggs went... (I have a couple of questions!)

[ChocolateWingTheRooster]

So, recently, I was finding less and less eggs. I thought my chickens were taking a break from laying... but I was wrong. Yesterday I checked for eggs and....

I found a stash of 24+ (Likely fertile) eggs! (That’s 2-3 days worth of eggs!)

That for some reason was out of sight and layed outside the nest. I’m surprised no cats messed with them, the eggs were definitely in reach of my furry troublemakers... (LOTS of them, too. At least the cats and the chickens get along...)

Are they still good? It’s been quite cold lately...

AND I’m assuming someone (a chicken) was laying on them, are they even still edible?

Thanks for any responses and sorry if something makes no sense...

 

[CluckNDoodle]

Likely still edible, if the temps where you are dropped low enough to freeze the eggs then it changes their consistency a bit but they're still edible. I wouldn't store them on your counter and place them in your fridge as the next eggs to get eaten because it's recommended to eat them soon after defrosting...all based on the assumption that it got cold enough for them to freeze in the first place. Otherwise they can be treated like any other eggs.

 

[Folly's place]

If they are actually only a couple of days old, and haven't nearly frozen and thawed, they should be okay. HOWEVER, if a hen has been laying them out there intermittently for weeks or longer, that's not so good. Probably okay, but then again...
Unless I'm positive that 'found eggs' are fresh, I pitch them! The cost of two dozen eggs vs. food poisoning? Not worth it to me.
I'd keep your birds locked in their coop and run for a week or so, to get your hens back to their nest boxes. Also check them for mites and lice, in case those nest boxes are uncomfortable for some reason.
Mary