hidden nest of eggs hatchable?

[bethanyrae]

I just found a nest under the bushes next to the house that 2 or 3 gals have been contributing to. They had moved when disturbed a little over a week ago and it took me that long to find them. aughgh.

Are these eggs still hatchable? I understand hens will collect eggs in a nest for a while then start setting on them for a hatch.

I took the temp next to the nest, and in the heat of the day it read between 65 and 68 degrees.

Has anyone ever tried to hatch "hidden" eggs before? Or should we just leave it to the hens for that...

Thanks

 

[klf73]

did they set on them at all? if they were just laid and left then I would incubate.....I also would consider letting them do it if they are in a safe spot, already almost lost one broody cuz she got somewhere I couldn't get her, but the skunk could...

 

[bethanyrae]

They're not broody. They're just ignoring the nesting boxes. My gals will all line up to use a corner and ignore the nesting boxes. I think they were tired of waiting in line, so flew over the fence and into the flower bed.

 

[MandyH]

If you do incubate them, make SURE you keep an eye on them closely to make sure they don't explode. I have found guinea nests and incubated them, and that's how I know about candling often to make sure none are rotten LOL!!!! Usually you will smell them before they blow.

 

[klf73]

eh, I would throw them in the bator is you were in the mood for hatchin'

. Any "loose" eggs here get found by the skunk before I get them...I just find the shells

If you don't want to incubate you can also just cook them up and feed back to the chickens so they aren't wasted....

 

[ga_goat]

I have 41 eggs in the incubator now from 'found' nests from a neighabor's flock of ameracanas and the hatch started last nite , there are at least 5 chicks in there now ,and more to come ,,,, hatch them ,, if you only get 50% that more than now ...