refrigerated eggs for hatching

[cjhixon]

The first time I tried to hatch eggs I went to Trader Joes (a grocery store) and bought a dozen organic fertilized eggs taken right out of their cooler. Set them on the kitchen counter over night and stuck them in a styrofoam incubator the next morning. Didn't know a thing about hatching eggs. 3 of 12 hatched. Two of those were deformed; turns out I had the incubator too hot. So, I would say that yes, you can hatch refrigerated eggs. Hatch rates may vary. I my low yield was probably at least partially due to my lack of experience and poor temperature / humidity control.

 

[goodflgirl2k]

Some of our favorite chickens were killed by some animal that got in to our pen. So we bought an incubator and are trying this with the eggs we had in the fridge. Wish us luck!

 

[aboverubiesmom]

so whatever happened with your last year? There is no more on this thread?

 

[goodflgirl2k]

Our chicks hatched after being refrigerator eggs!

So blessed! They are about 6 weeks old now...

 

[JBJ Poultry]

We've hatched fertilized eggs that have been refrigerated. Unfortunately, I don't remember the percentage, but I don't think we even got 50% to hatch.

 

[A roo or two]

Our chicks hatched after being refrigerator eggs! So blessed! They are about 6 weeks old now...

How long do you think your eggs had been refrigerated and what was your hatch rate? I am considering doing refrigerator eggs my next go around.

 

[OzarkCountryGirl]

I have a dozen assorted refrigerated eggs in the incubator right now, and they are due to hatch in 5 days. Keep in mind that these eggs were in the refrigerator for at least a couple of days, and it's kept cold enough in there to put a layer of ice on the milk and freezes things on the bottom shelf, so it's is really cold. I will keep you posted...

 

[A roo or two]

I have a dozen assorted refrigerated eggs in the incubator right now, and they are due to hatch in 5 days.  Keep in mind that these eggs were in the refrigerator for at least a couple of days, and it's kept cold enough in there to put a layer of ice on the milk and freezes things on the bottom shelf, so it's is really cold.  I will keep you posted...

Please do. I am curious to see your results.

 

[OzarkCountryGirl]

Sad news. A couple of days before they were to hatch, someone must have bumped the thermometer knob as I found the inside incubator temp to be well over 100°F. Hoping against hope, I even kept the eggs a few days past their hatch date. Before I tossed them, I opening a couple of eggs to find fully formed, but quite dead, chicks.

 

[JBJ Poultry]

Sorry to hear that.