Frozen and cracked chicken eggs

[Ulysse]

Hi everyone, I found 16 eggs under my deck frozen and cracked what should I do?

 

[kesrchicky16]

Hi everyone, I found 16 eggs under my deck frozen and cracked what should I do?

Toss 'em and close it up so the chickens can't put any more down there.
Once the shell is cracked (unless to be cooked immediately) the egg is contaminated with bacteria so no good for food for anyone.

 

[sylviethecochin]

Thaw them, crush them, and feed them back to the hens. I'll eat cracked eggs, but not without knowing how old they are. Besides--when the yolks have been frozen, they aren't any good for baking, they don't scramble at all, and you can't boil them. Only thing you can do is fry them, sunny-side up.

EDT: and welcome to BYC! Just noticed that this is your first post!

 

[Ulysse]

Toss 'em and close it up so the chickens can't put any more down there.
Once the shell is cracked (unless to be cooked immediately) the egg is contaminated with bacteria so no good for food for anyone.

My chickens are free range so they get shelter under the deck. I’ve heard of closing the chickens in the coop for several days so that they lay in the proper place should I use this method?

 

[sylviethecochin]

My chickens are free range so they get shelter under the deck. I’ve heard of closing the chickens in the coop for several days so that they lay in the proper place should I use this method?

It tends to work more often than not. Give it a try--though I've had best success with locking them in for a week or more, rather than for a few days.

 

[Ulysse]

Than

It tends to work more often than not. Give it a try--though I've had best success with locking them in for a week or more, rather than for a few days.

Thank you! How do I clean the coop and give them food and water without them running out like crazy after I lock them in for such a long time?

 

[lazy gardener]

How big is your coop? Do you have a run? This is why IMO it's imperative to have a run, even if you allow your birds to free range. There are gonna be times when they need to be confined: training or retraining to the nest, predator issues. Below zero cold snaps that go on for days and weeks at a time. The coop must be big enough to allow you to lock them up if weather and run don't offer that option.

 

[kesrchicky16]

My chickens are free range so they get shelter under the deck. I’ve heard of closing the chickens in the coop for several days so that they lay in the proper place should I use this method?

If they have a coop why do they "need" (yes my word but wanted emphasis) to be able to shelter under the deck?

How big is your coop? Do you have a run? This is why IMO it's imperative to have a run, even if you allow your birds to free range. There are gonna be times when they need to be confined: training or retraining to the nest, predator issues. Below zero cold snaps that go on for days and weeks at a time. The coop must be big enough to allow you to lock them up if weather and run don't offer that option.

I have my coop at its limits because I know full day confinement is rare and short lived. But I also know confinement is sometimes necessary. During the summer sleeping is more free for all because they don't like to snuggle in the heat. Thus my plans for a second coop come spring. Shared run but more sleeping space.

 

[sylviethecochin]

Than

Thank you! How do I clean the coop and give them food and water without them running out like crazy after I lock them in for such a long time?

Do you have a run? If you plan on locking them in the coop for an extended period of time, you should have a run so they don't get bored and begin beating on each other. Simply banish them to it, block the door, and do what you need to do before letting them back in.

 

[Ulysse]

Thaw them, crush them, and feed them back to the hens. I'll eat cracked eggs, but not without knowing how old they are. Besides--when the yolks have been frozen, they aren't any good for baking, they don't scramble at all, and you can't boil them. Only thing you can do is fry them, sunny-side up.

EDT: and welcome to BYC! Just noticed that this is your first post!

If they have a coop why do they "need" (yes my word but wanted emphasis) to be able to shelter under the deck?



I have my coop at its limits because I know full day confinement is rare and short lived. But I also know confinement is sometimes necessary. During the summer sleeping is more free for all because they don't like to snuggle in the heat. Thus my plans for a second coop come spring. Shared run but more sleeping space.

my coop does not have a run.