Question about eggs!

[jscott5510]

My chickens just started laying eggs! Woo Hoo! But, I am going out of town and I am wondering if the eggs will be okay to keep if they are in the coop for 2 days? Or if a fertilized egg will start forming a baby after 2 days? Any input is greatly appreciated!! Thanks! Have a wonderful day!

 

[Ridgerunner]

The reason an egg will become unsafe is if bacteria gets inside and multiplies. Unless your eggs are in a lot of poop, that’s not likely to happen. Remember that a hen can lay eggs for two weeks or more in a hidden nest, then successfully incubate them. If bacteria got inside they could not incubate them. I really would not worry about that.

Fertile eggs can develop some if the temperatures are fairly warm. This is a bit of a tricky topic. Technically a fertile egg develops from the instant it is fertilized inside the hen. If it ever stops developing the embryo dies. The warmer it is the faster it develops.

If you store it in the mid 80’s it might possibly develop enough to notice it in a few days. I don’t know what the time and temperature chart for noticeable development would look like. I’ve kept eggs in the mid to upper 70’s for a couple of weeks and seen no development. Unless yours are under a broody I really wouldn’t worry about it.

In either case, I think it would be reasonable to crack an egg in a separate bowl before you use it or mix it with anything. I do that anyway, although I collect them daily.

 

[jscott5510]

Thanks for your input! The coop stays pretty clean, and they don't poop where they lay. None of them seem to be broody either! I just wasn't sure in this mid-80's heat. I didn't want to bother taking any when I get home if there is a chick already developing! They have only been laying a few days now, but I have been checking atleast twice a day for eggs to keep from having to hatch any! Thanks again!