How long can eggs set in coop unattended and still be hatched?

[Droptine1]

How long can eggs set unattended and still be hatched?

 

[cherrynberry]

How long can eggs set unattended and still be hatched?

Under a broody?

 

[Droptine1]

My Pekin ducks started laying eggs a couple weeks ago but don’t tend to the eggs. I left the first couple eggs for them to see what they would do but now I am not sure if they are going to be able to hatch or if they can even be eaten.

Under a broody?

I haven’t ever seen them sitting on the eggs.

 

[cherrynberry]

My Pekin ducks started laying eggs a couple weeks ago but don’t tend to the eggs. I left the first couple eggs for them to see what they would do but now I am not sure if they are going to be able to hatch or if they can even be eaten.

I haven’t ever seen them sitting on the eggs.

You can eat them. Just leave a clutch of about 5 eggs at a time and switch out the eggs every 2 days if they are in the (heat?). If its not hot in your coop, unwashed eggs can remain there for one week. Not too sure about ducks, but with chickens, I put golf balls until they are broody. Chickens cannot tell the difference between a golf ball and an egg. I just leave out golf balls and yeah! Typically, the oldest eggs you want to hatch are 7 day old eggs. Make sure your birds go broody first!

 

[Shezadandy]

If nobody has been sitting on the eggs then they have zero chance of hatching. On the plus side, if you're in a mild climate the eggs could still be edible.

Candle the eggs to look for development but chances are exceedingly low there is any.

Before using them, crack them into a separate bowl, i.e. egg 1 gets cracked, if good move it to whatever you're cooking, then crack egg 2 into the separate bowl, if good add it and so on.

 

[Droptine1]

My Pekin ducks started laying eggs a couple weeks ago but don’t tend to the eggs. I left the first couple eggs for them to see what they would do but now I am not sure if they are going to be able to hatch or if they can even be eaten.

I haven’t ever seen them sitting on the eggs

You can eat them. Just leave a clutch of about 5 eggs at a time and switch out the eggs every 2 days if they are in the (heat?). If its not hot in your coop, unwashed eggs can remain there for one week. Not too sure about ducks, but with chickens, I put golf balls until they are broody. Chickens cannot tell the difference between a golf ball and an egg. I just leave out golf balls and yeah!

Yep. I used that trick on my chickens to get them laying in the nesting box. I’m just afraid of cracking open an egg that it developing. I had that happen with my chicken eggs once. SO SAD!

 

[Droptine1]

If nobody has been sitting on the eggs then they have zero chance of hatching. On the plus side, if you're in a mild climate the eggs could still be edible.

Candle the eggs to look for development but chances are exceedingly low there is any.

Before using them, crack them into a separate bowl, i.e. egg 1 gets cracked, if good move it to whatever you're cooking, then crack egg 2 into the separate bowl, if good add it and so on.

That’s a great idea! Thanks!

 

[Droptine1]

That’s a great idea! Thanks!

I’m not sure exactly how old the eggs are cuz I found them hidden in the straw

 

[Shezadandy]

If you're thinking of trying them in an incubator, I would wait for some fresh eggs. I think the "line" for age at incubation in the best conditions is around 7-10 days. -- i.e. incubating eggs after they've been sitting for 7-10 days will (likely) lower the hatch rate.

That’s a great idea! Thanks!

 

[Shezadandy]

Yep. I used that trick on my chickens to get them laying in the nesting box. I’m just afraid of cracking open an egg that it developing. I had that happen with my chicken eggs once. SO SAD!

Definitely invest in a candler. I like mine very much. There is a rechargeable version too that won't break the bank ($14-16) if you want to candle them right in the coop and don't have an outlet. It's perfect for "uh oh is that egg developing" and of course actual intentional brooding/incubator work.

https://www.amazon.com/Magicfly-Can...words=magic+fly+candler&qid=1633154037&sr=8-5