How long are eggs good if they have been sitting in the nest?

[SewingMom2many]

I just got all of my chickens within the last 2 weeks and recently moved them from my garage to their coop and yard. They were laying in the garage so I thought it was strange that they weren't laying at the farmyard. My son climbed up on a pile of hay and found 5 beautiful eggs in a spot I didn't know the chickens could get to! It seems a shame to throw the eggs away but they could have been out there for up to a week. Are they safe to eat or is there a way to test them? I also wonder if there is a possibility of any of the eggs being fertilized because I got the chickens from 3 different places and some were free range with a rooster. I'm thinking I just need to toss them and get over it but I thought I'd ask.

We put a nest box over the little hole they had gotten into so hopefully next time we will find eggs in the nest box!

 

[BANTAMWYANDOTTE]

Here is some adivce on how to tell if the eggs are still safe to eat.
Fill a large bowl with warm water.
Add one egg at a time.
If the eggs sinks, it is still safe to eat, If it floats.....HANDLE WITH EXTREME CARE....ON SLIP AND THE SMELL WILL CAUSE YOU TO VOMIT.


Always remember that rotten eggs float!

 

[SewingMom2many]

Thanks - I'll go try them now!

 

[SewingMom2many]

They all sunk without hesitation and I left them in the later for a minute just to be sure they didn't rise up and they didn't.
Do I need to candle them? If so I guess I need to look up how to do that. They weren't warm when my son picked them up if that means anything.

 

[woodmort]

Unless a hen was actually brooding them they should be fine after a week or longer. They have to be raised to 96.5* for a day or two before they being to develop. As long as they sink then they aren't rotten and are usable. Unwashed an egg will keep for a month or longer.