How long can eggs stay good under a broody hen?

[MissIvoryB]

My pet-sitter, my back-up, and my neighbor are all out of town the weekend we're going camping, so eggs are going to sit in the box for 3 days. I've read that eggs can stay fresh for weeks out of the fridge, and the temperatures at home are only going to get up into the upper 70s while I'm gone. BUT, I've got a broody hen I wasn't able to break before leaving. Will the ones she'll have been sitting on all weekend spoil before I can get them?

 

[SunHwaKwon]

It takes about three days before you would see anything growing (assuming they are fertile). If you can't bring yourself to eat them and don't want her to hatch them, you can cook them and feed them back to the birds or your dogs if you have any. Is she currently sitting on eggs?

 

[Birdinhand]

are you talking infertile eggs and asking how long can they go and still be good for eating?

 

[MissIvoryB]

Infertile, yes. Sorry, I meant to say I don't have a rooster. How long before I shouldn't risk eating any she's been sitting on? Thank you!

 

[SunHwaKwon]

First question is what are you planning to do about your broody, since you don't have fertile eggs for her? Some birds will waste away to near death sitting broody. Fix that problem and you won't have an issue with the eggs.

 

[MissIvoryB]

She just started Wednesday, and we're leaving tonight. In the past, I keep the eggs out of the coop, take her out of the box whenever I go outside, and shut the coop up after everyone is done laying until sundown. She usually gives up after a couple days, but I won't be home to do all that this time until Monday night. She'll just have to sit in there and have her way for the weekend.

 

[Birdinhand]

do you have a space you can put here where the other hens cant lay eggs beside her? she does not need to be sitting on eggs or even on a nest if you don't want here to stay broody. putting here in a hanging cage with access to food and water where the cold air drafts around her seems to be the way most folks get them out of being broody. as was mentioned, being broody without sitting on viable eggs can eventually lead them to waste away. it happened to one of my hens, it did take a while, so it's something to think about for when you get back.

 

[SunHwaKwon]

She just started Wednesday, and we're leaving tonight. In the past, I keep the eggs out of the coop, take her out of the box whenever I go outside, and shut the coop up after everyone is done laying until sundown. She usually gives up after a couple days, but I won't be home to do all that this time until Monday night. She'll just have to sit in there and have her way for the weekend.

Well, it sounds like you have a plan for when you get back.

I have three broodies right now and some days I do not collect eggs every day and the eggs have been fine, even if they are sat on for two days. I haven't got up to three or four since I'm not that forgetful.

If you are the type that eats your eggs sunny side up / over easy I would not eat them, but as long as they are thoroughly cook that should take care of the possibility of any bacterial issues.