Hatching eggs from hens on antibiotic?

[Sunny Side Up]

My laying hens and their husbands have been taking an antibiotic for their upper respiratory infections. I have been burying their eggs since they started taking the medicine, and will do so for 2 weeks after the last day they're dosed. But would they still be viable for hatching? Some homeschool friends are making home-made incubators and want to get some fertile eggs to hatch in them. I would love to see at least some of these eggs find a purpose other than fertilizer!

 

[dawnchick]

I imagine they'd hatch just fine -- but they might also inherit their mama's disease, depending on what it is. Most respiratory chicken diseases are viruses, and as we know, antibiotics don't kill viruses, they only treat secondary bacterial infection. Not all are passed on in the eggs. Unless you have a laboratory diagnosis, though, you just won't know.

Personal choice.