How to keep my eggs from freezing?

[Azriel]

I leave for work at 5:30 am, and don't get home much before 6pm. Last winter I had a lot of frozen eggs when it got very cold. So, I was wondering if this would work. I have rear roll out nests, could I put a heating pad in the roll out part, set on low, and cover the egg holding area with cardboard to hold the heat in by the eggs. Would this work, or would it spoil the eggs? Most of my girls are late morning to early afternoon layers, so the eggs would be on the heating pad for between 5-8 hours.

 

[KDK1]

I think a heating pad may be too hot unless you can keep the eggs from coming in direct contact with it. Maybe experiment with different low-wattage light bulbs in the collection bin.

 

[WoodlandWoman]

You could also go to a community nest box or just much larger nest boxes, that accommodate more chickens. If they lay together in one area, the chickens that come along later usually keep the eggs that were laid earlier warmer, while they're in the nest box. It cuts down on the number of frozen eggs for me.

 

[rungirl]

Quote:
In addition to this idea, if a hen decides to become broody, she'll do you the favor of keeping the eggs warm all day for you until you get home. My BO is always broody and in winter, she keeps my eggs from freezing during the day.

 

[ailurophile23]

I had similar issues this past winter and I am going to insulate the nest boxes (on the outside away from the chickens) with the foil lined bubble wrap insulation (bottom, sides and lid of each box) this year. I've had up to three hens in one box at a time and they typically all lay in the same box but it still doesn't help the eggs survive the long afternoon and early evening before I get home. I will definitely be following this thread for other ideas in case the insulation doesn't do the trick.

 

[Azriel]

If I leave the eggs all day in the nest box where the chickens can sit on them I end up with broken and dirty eggs, I don't know if they are fighting over the fav. nest box, or breaking them so they can eat them. I do have one older hen that is laying thin shelled eggs, and when ever there are dirty eggs thats the missing egg. What about cardboad ove the heating pad, still on low, and cardboard or thin insulation over the holding area. I do not heat my coop, and really don't want to hang lights.





Edited because my computer has sticky keys and makes me look like I can't spell

 

[wyododge]

Quote:
Sounds like a good solution to me. Just put the heating pad on a rheostat so you can turn the heat down. If it gets too hot, put newspaper or something to break contact between the egg and heating pad. In -20, you should not have to worry about any spoilage. You can also put a thermocube in with your eggs, then the heating pad will only keep the area at 40* or so.

Good thinking!!! Great Solution!!!

 

[ailurophile23]

Sounds like a good solution - even a partially folded towel over the heating pad might work. And I really like the thermocube idea!

 

[Azriel]

OK, so whats a thermocube?

 

[Marcymom3]

Or you could put some heat in there from this soda can solar panel. It's pretty neat and looks easy enough to make. You could probably make it smaller and have it vent the warmed air into your nest boxes.

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/04/pop_can_solar_p.php