Really silly question here..

[Momagain1]

OK, I AM NOT hatching/incubating eggs...

BUT we are having questions from neighbors...so I better ask..

We have hens that lay fertile eggs; obviously I dont know which ones are fertile, which arent..
so we just err on the side of caution they all are.

NOW...how fast to chicks develop if I miss an egg and its being sat on for a day? with a 19-21 day
incubation period; its gotta be kinda fast right?

The temps have been way over 80 for weeks now...so add that in on I have two broodies..
what are the chances of finding an egg with development in it..??

If I miss it for one day? two days? if I get them ALl each day and they sit on my counter we're good right?

 

[CapricornFarm]

Someone asked this the other day and I think it was 96 hours before visible development occurs.

 

[Momagain1]

ok I musta missed that post! sorry!

 

[SunnyCalifornia]

Check out the chart on this thread

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=6187851

 

[Momagain1]

ok I just read that thread; thanks..

BUT now I'm concerned lol..I never refrigerate my eggs...even the fertilized ones...

now that thread says I SHOULD???

 

[SunnyCalifornia]

I always have, only because I grew up seeing eggs in the refrigerated section of the grocery store.

I don't have any better explanation than that.... I just assumed I had to?

 

[CapricornFarm]

You got questions, ask 'em. That's how we learn all this crazy stuff. Not everyone is on here 24/7. The eggs keep longer in the fridge.

 

[Momagain1]

hmm..I've not put any of my unwashed eggs anywhere but counter..and they've been absolutely fine!

 

[wbruder17]

They don't refridgerate eggs in most European countries. They are sold on the shelves like other dried goods.

 

[SunnyCalifornia]

Well, you figure a hen can lay for a week or two straight, and then go broody after the last one, and the first egg isn't rotten by then, so perhaps they do have a good shelf life?

To refrigerate, or not to refrigerate.... that is the question~!

Good question though. I'll be watching for more input.