Need help with orphan chicken eggs almost ready to hatch

[kitara5454]

Hello, I am new to this site, I have been raising chickens for about 8 years now. I live in AZ in the desert on 5 acres. I have/had a beautiful black bantam whom I loved like family. She was killed early this morning by coyotes. I didn't realize she had a nest under a bush near the house. They all usually go into the coop at dusk after feeding and when my son closed the coop, he didn't check to see if they were all there. Long story short. We found a nest of 19 large brown eggs that when candled look almost ready to hatch. but she was killed around 4am and the eggs were without her for 4 hours in the cold. My question is: will they die due to being so cold for 4 hours? and almost ready to hatch. I brought them inside the house but don't know what to do from here. I do not have an incubator because I only used the eggs for food as they laid them. Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! Sorry about your hen. Unless it is freezing, 4 hours cooling might cut down your hatch% but shouldn't have killed them all. For now I would put them in a container with/under a light bulb and try to get them around 100* asap then see if can you borrow an incubator, or most farm/feed stores sell really basic ones. You can also make homemade ones there are a lot of examples in the Design forum https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/homemade-chicken-egg-incubator-designs-pictures many just using a styrofoam cooler, a light bulb, a thermometer, and something for water to add humidity.

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello there and welcome to BYC!

Oh, I am so sorry about your hen!

Kelsie has given you some great advice and a great link to follow. Yes, as long as the eggs didn't freeze, this chill down of 4 hours won't hurt much. It will delay the hatch a bit, but most likely the chicks survived. See if you can't fashion up an incubator quick like to see if you can save them. You will need 65% to 75% moisture for hatching so several damp sponges will help the hatching process.

Good luck and keep us posted!!

 

[kitara5454]

Thank you very much for your advice.. I will try that

 

[kitara5454]

Yes, Thank you and I will keep you posted....

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

Hi

Glad you could join the flock! Sorry it's not under better circumstances and sorry to hear about the loss of your hen

If you think the eggs are near hatching this shouldn't harm them too much as nearly fully developed chicks produce heat of their own. Although the eggs may have cooled it would take a longer period for the centre of egg to cool ie the chick. Hope you are able to make an incubator.
Wishing you the very best of luck with these eggs

 

[Wyandottes7]

Welcome to BYC!

We're glad to have you.

I'm sorry about your hen! I hope you can save the eggs.

 

[BantamLover21]

Glad you joined us!

Good luck with the orphaned eggs!

 

[drumstick diva]

sending good hatching vibes your way

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!