Hatching an old chicken's egg

[Mrs. K]

So I have a buff orpinton, who has raised several clutches for me. I really like that. She is just a hatchery bird, and she is 3+ years old. Which in my set up is considered an old bird.
I have been praying that she will go broody one more time. The last couple days I think she is thinking on it.

So I have been keeping eggs on the counter each day, putting yesterdays in the fridge so that I am ready when and if she does it. The rest of my birds are a year old or less, and I have a new high qualitiy rooster. So my question is, do I hatch out the BO's eggs? I would like to, and probably will, taking my chances, but I was curious, is there a higher chance of birth defects with an older birds egg?

Mrs K

 

[Den in Penn]

I can't really give you an definite answer if there is a higher chance for defects. There may be. That said If she has been a good broody for you I would give her eggs a chance. Going broody is a genetic trait, that producers have tried to remove. If she is still laying and in good health, those are traits most would want. Besides Is three years really that old?

 

[donrae]

I've hatched eggs from 3 year old hens that were either direct from a hatchery or an f1 from hatchery stock. I didn't have any problems. I'd sure try to get some babies from her! Is this with your biefelder rooster? You should get some beautiful babies.

 

[Mrs. K]

At Donrae -Yes, it is from him. I am praying for her to go broody, I think they should be very nice birds, I can hardly wait. My school hatched out some of his eggs,but I only saw them as chicks, I should ask for some pictures to see how they look. They went home with a friend of mine.

Butter has always gone broody in late May to June, but it has been so cloudy and cool...so far nothing, thought maybe this morning as she was on the nest, but out scratching around this pm, darn it.

Mk