How Cold is Too Cold?

[MROO]

I've got a bad case of Hatching Fever, but my hens and pullets lay at different times of the day, and no one is home most of the day to do an egg-check. They are outside in an unheated playhouse conversion coop. How long does it take for the cold to kill an embryo?

 

[nchls school]

I've got a bad case of Hatching Fever, but my hens and pullets lay at different times of the day, and no one is home most of the day to do an egg-check. They are outside in an unheated playhouse conversion coop. How long does it take for the cold to kill an embryo?

If the temperature is below freezing (does their drinking water freeze up?)then the eggs would not be suitable for hatching if they sat in the nest boxes for any amount of time. On freezing days I check the boxes often if I plan on incubating the eggs.

 

[MROO]

If the temperature is below freezing (does their drinking water freeze up?)then the eggs would not be suitable for hatching if they sat in the nest boxes for any amount of time. On freezing days I check the boxes often if I plan on incubating the eggs.

{{{{...SIGH...}}}} That's what logic tells me, too ... but I was hoping, ya know? The Nankins have a heated waterer, so it's hard to tell when it would freeze, but it's certainly cold enough. I'm just wondering how long they can sit out in it before they're in danger. I can check every hour or two on weekends, and I'm hoping that would be a short enough time. I'm just going to have to be patient a bit longer ... but that's SO HARD when you want babies!

 

[chickens really]

As long as they don't freeze they can be incubated. I've hatched Call eggs from the fridge without issues.

 

[nchls school]

{{{{...SIGH...}}}} That's what logic tells me, too ... but I was hoping, ya know? The Nankins have a heated waterer, so it's hard to tell when it would freeze, but it's certainly cold enough. I'm just wondering how long they can sit out in it before they're in danger. I can check every hour or two on weekends, and I'm hoping that would be a short enough time. I'm just going to have to be patient a bit longer ... but that's SO HARD when you want babies!

Yes. I agree it's hard when you want to get incubation started. How long eggs can sit out depends on the temperature of their surroundings. With temps it the teens it would only be as long as it takes for the egg to cool to its environment. The best I can tell you is to think of ways to warm the nest boxes. There have been times that I have put heat lamps near the nests so they would stay at above freezing temp.

 

[MROO]

Yes. I agree it's hard when you want to get incubation started. How long eggs can sit out depends on the temperature of their surroundings. With temps it the teens it would only be as long as it takes for the egg to cool to its environment. The best I can tell you is to think of ways to warm the nest boxes. There have been times that I have put heat lamps near the nests so they would stay at above freezing temp.

I really can't use a heat lamp in my coop. It's a very old playhouse conversion - all wood - and it sits way too close to our garage, our tree line and our 100 year old (wooden!) home. When I weigh the risk of fire against waiting another month or so for hatching, it's a no-brainer. But my heart keeps peeping at me!

 

[MROO]

As long as they don't freeze they can be incubated. I've hatched Call eggs from the fridge without issues.

You give me hope!

 

[Rebel58]

I have ordered a couple seed-heating pads on eBay. The kind you put under seed flats to warm the soil for quicker germination. I will be placing them under the straw in the nesting boxes to help keep the eggs from freezing. Supposed to be warming to 54° here by Monday. Hope the polar vortex ends soon. Ready for spring. Good thing the ol' groundhog predicted an early spring.

 

[aart]

You could collect every hour this weekend, then it should be warming up there no?
How many do you want to incubate?
You want to, but should you?
Will you be able to brood them in a good place until it gets warm enough to put them outside?
How will you integrate with your existing flock?
Have you incubated before?
What will you do with the ~50% males?
Just some thoughts to help temper your impatience.

 

[MROO]

You could collect every hour this weekend, then it should be warming up there no?
How many do you want to incubate?
You want to, but should you?
Will you be able to brood them in a good place until it gets warm enough to put them outside?
How will you integrate with your existing flock?
Have you incubated before?
What will you do with the ~50% males?
Just some thoughts to help temper your impatience.

Those are all very good points - and I can address each one (so you know I'm not just hatch-crazy!)
How Many?
About a dozen. I figure that with three pullets laying fairly regularly, now and both hens just starting back up, I should be able to get that many before I have to worry about viability. I'll be lucky if half of them hatch, partly because Nankins do better under a broody, but mainly because RC Nannies are notorious for low fertility rates. If we get more, all the better, but that's about what we've been running.
2. Should I?
Absolutely! These are Nankin Bantams, critically endangered and high on the conservation list, so yes, I should try.
3. Where?
My back room is a converted porch, climate controlled with the rest of the house, but separated from the bustle by a closed door. It's where Herman the House Rooster resides when he's indoors, so it's totally chicken-friendly!
4. Integration & Extra Males?
I have three 4H youth and the Ag program at our local High School all waiting for straight-run babies. IF I keep any from this first batch, it will only be two or three. Any cockerels can go into my bachelor pen, which is really three small runs that can be separated out for "See-No-Touch" time. Pullets will go into an XL dog kennel inside the main coop, where they can do the same thing with the rest of the breeding flock. It's worked for the last two years, so I'm hopeful it will continue. If I get really ambitious (and lucky,) DS will help separate the large main coop so I can set up another roo with his own harem. Fingers crossed!
5. Yes, I've incubated before. I have a new Brinsea on order, so I'm anxious to give it a try, too. I'm hoping it will improve the hatch rate.

So yes, I've thought it all out and have most of it planned, the timing just isn't right, yet. I can be patient, honest I can fl), but it's driving me CRAZY!