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Is it ok for eggs to get cold?

Discussion in 'Chicken Behaviors and Egglaying' started by JessicaGrant, Nov 17, 2008.

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  1. Nov 17, 2008 #1
    JessicaGrant

    JessicaGrant Songster

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    Jun 22, 2008
    Western Mass
    I collected eggs at 7 am and it was, maybe, 35 degrees out. The coop seemed warm enough, but my nesting boxes stick out the side of the coop and the eggs seemed really cold (yes, eggs plural! I must have two layers now, yeah!)

    Since I know it is only going to get colder here in Mass, should I do something to heat the nesting boxes? If eggs sit out for a few hours at sub-zero temps is it going to be bad for them? For eating, obviously, not hatching!
     
  2. Nov 17, 2008 #2
    MissPrissy

    MissPrissy Crowing Premium Member

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    Forks, Virginia
    Have good nesting material in your boxes for the hens to snuggle down into when they lay. Collect the eggs as often as possible during the day. They should be fine. It takes super cold weather and long freezes to actually freeze the eggs.
     
  3. Nov 17, 2008 #3
    ChickenTender63

    ChickenTender63 Songster

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    Sep 28, 2008
    Alamance, NC
    Figure that your average refrigerator that you store eggs in for human consumption runs between 38 & 42 degrees. The egg is laid at 95+ degrees and if sheltered from drafts and wind. It would take at least a minnimum of half a day for the egg to cool down enough to freeze. If you check for eggs a couple of times per day, you will have no issues at all.

    If an egg is layed late in the evening, then you might have a frozen egg or two on your hardest winter nights, but aith that loss rate, it's not worth investing any energy to correcting the problem other than ensuring you have enough hay or wood chips in the nesting boxes that will insulate the eggs better.

    Good luck!
     

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