How cold can eggs get and still hatch? *UPDATE*

[angel3693]

I had a duck(a malard female ) lay 10 eggs on the side of the house and I don't no how long they were there.And it snowed the night before. I left them alone and the mother came back a few days later. She had been sitting on her eggs the whole day it's been a little warmer and she flew off that night and I haven't seen her in 2 days. What should I do. I would like to save them if possible. Or do you think she will be back after 2 days. Please need some information on what to do.

 

[3riverschick]

Stick in a incubator and see what happens. Tho I doubt they will hatch because they were warm enough for long enough to start incubating and then got cold again.
Best,
Karen

 

[valeriebutler]

I'm in Florida it's 86 right now. My heart abandoned hey eggs the day before hatch date and the eggs are cold now. It's a day after said hatch date because I wanted to give them a chance. Because it's so warm here do you think they will still hatch?

 

[valeriebutler]

I'm in Florida it's 86 right now. My heart abandoned hey eggs the day before hatch date and the eggs are cold now. It's a day after said hatch date because I wanted to give them a chance. Because it's so warm here do you think they will still hatch?

 

[valeriebutler]

I'm in Florida it's 86 right now. My hen abandoned hey eggs the day before hatch date and the eggs are cold now. It's a day after said hatch date because I wanted to give them a chance. But Because it's so warm here do you think they will still hatch?

 

[Quails1]

I'm in Florida it's 86 right now. My hen abandoned hey eggs the day before hatch date and the eggs are cold now. It's a day after said hatch date because I wanted to give them a chance. But Because it's so warm here do you think they will still hatch?

I've never had this happen to me before, so you may have to wait until the day comes. Try placing the eggs in an incubator/hatcher if you have one, and see for yourself when they hatch!

 

[Minky]

Back to the original question- I would think that the only issue with freezing would be the egg cracking. If the egg has not cracked, I dont see why getting very very cold (frozen) would matter. Humans have their embryos frozen, and we make people from them. I agree they should be brought in from the hen house, and brought slowly to a nice low room temp (basement) as a first step, then up to room temp before incubating.