Got my first 2 eggs!! Now what?

[leiya]

Ok so I got my first 2 eggs, but when I'm ready for chicks what will I do? Do I take them? If do where do I put them until I give them back? When do I put them back?

 

[Demosthine]

First of all, not knowing you, I have to ask... Do you have a rooster that has fertilized the eggs? If you are just now receiving eggs, the rooster may not be mature enough to start fertilizing them. You'll have to watch for mating behavior. If you are receiving fertile eggs, you can store them pointed-end down in an egg carton, in the refrigerator, for approximately two weeks and they will still be viable eggs.

Also remember, you have to have a broody hen that will sit on the eggs in order for them to hatch. Just placing a bunch of eggs back in the nesting box may or may not cause one to go broody. Some claim that works, others say it won't.

 

[Demosthine]

First of all, not knowing you, I have to ask... Do you have a rooster that has fertilized the eggs? If you are just now receiving eggs, the rooster may not be mature enough to start fertilizing them. You'll have to watch for mating behavior. If you are receiving fertile eggs, you can store them pointed-end down in an egg carton, in the refrigerator, for approximately two weeks and they will still be viable eggs.

Also remember, you have to have a broody hen that will sit on the eggs in order for them to hatch. Just placing a bunch of eggs back in the nesting box may or may not cause one to go broody. Some claim that works, others say it won't.

 

[leiya]

Hi! I bought a bb red rooster and 2 hens, the guy said they were laying. I've had them for 2 weeks and I guess they just got comfy!?! When will the hens go broody?! I also got a silkie pullet and a rooster. But it was the bb reds who are laying!

 

[leiya]

Anyone?

 

[gryeyes]

Laying eggs does not mean a hen will ever go broody to hatch them. The majority of hens are not "setters" and unless you artificially incubate their eggs in an incubator, there may never be chicks. Or you may have one hen go broody and she will hatch any eggs you give her.

Some breeds are more prone to broodiness than others. Silkies, for example, are a very "broody" breed.

There are people who have had flocks of chickens for years and NEVER had a broody hen.

So.... Don't count your chicks before they hatch!

 

[leiya]

Lol! Ok! Are bb reds broody? I have a silkie. So if not I can wait until she gets broody! When I take the eggs, where do I keep them and how long can u keep them until they are no longer viable?! (Not even sure those are good questions!) basically I know nothing and need to know how to do this! I am going to wait til next spring to try to hatch babies! So I have time to learn, what I need to know!

 

[Demosthine]

Lol! Ok! Are bb reds broody? I have a silkie. So if not I can wait until she gets broody! When I take the eggs, where do I keep them and how long can u keep them until they are no longer viable?! (Not even sure those are good questions!) basically I know nothing and need to know how to do this! I am going to wait til next spring to try to hatch babies! So I have time to learn, what I need to know!

See my post above for most of the answers. I don't know anything about a "BB red hen," so I can't answer on their broodiness.

 

[leiya]

Ok thanks so much

 

[Heidisgran]

since you decided not incubate those 2 eggs you can open them and see inside if they are fertile...if your not sure what to look for google it! there is lots of great pictures for egg development too