rotten eggs /(

[chicken moma]

Found where the smell is coming from! one of the feral hen has been sitting on 8 eggs, not sure how old these eggs are?or to whom they belong as all the hens visit? but this one sits. the smell directed me, the eggs are dirty and slimy on the surface and the nest is wet and stinky. we have had several days of rain.
she moved off and I moved in! there were 2 broken squashed and subsequent slimy, eggs and one very light weight.
She had laid in a milk crate so i put old newspaper in the bottom of another one, picked up the remaining eggs, I did not try to wipe or wash them they have some feather and stuff adhered to them, but what was disturbing to me is the underside of the crate had maggots (not on the eggs) I was disgusted but now knew from whence came the smell.
I washed down the area and put a new box back. with the same dirty eggs (no maggots.)
I am concerned for the hen if she was sitting on this. I did not see maggots on the top of inside the nest but under the box when i moved it.
As soon as i moved away she was back in the box sitting on the remaining, even the light one. when I looked in on her she was growling at me but sitting, had gathered her eggs under her but not very happy.
And here is the question: should I just leave the remaining eggs? is there a chance one will hatch? i think the lave were from flies from the smell of rotten egg but the stuck feathers on the remaining eggs, if they hatch, could be a problem? I dont want to just take away all her eggs. I dont know how long she has been sitting 2weeks? I'm much happier the smell has been abated not sure she is?

 

[sourland]

My first instinct was to say - toss the eggs and allow her to start over with another clutch. You might try placing the eggs in a bowl of warm water - any movement would indicate life. Of course there is the possibility that one might explode while being handled.

 

[chicken moma]

Thanks ;
she is already PO with me, growling when I approach, but is settled on the clean nest? might try the warm water later. . . but not in my house! just to preserve the harmony of our household.
I would rather toss the eggs than foster a deformed chick. Does the hen know if they are viable? she seems to count! hahaha. She growls only at me! I feel so special, even though I am the one giving her treats, (but stealing her eggs)
This is a one shot deal for me, there are too many feral chickens, I was scooping eggs then she started sitting on these and I don't know how old they are, so we will play it out.
When they lay where I can find them daily, its good. I don't like finding surprises because she is sitting the other 3 hens are laying everywhere! sometimes jumping in on top of her! that does not make her happy and the neighborhood hears about it.

 

[sourland]

We've been to Hawaii several times and the feral chickens are very attractive - well, to a chicken guy they are.

 

[chicken moma]

we do have some stunningly beautiful Roos, from what I can tell they are all mixed? Bantam?

 

[sourland]

Most of what I saw were small to medium sized birds with apparent game fowl genetics in the mix.