Too late to stop incubation?

[AVizcaya]

What is the max number of hours an egg can be incubated (by a broody hen) before you can pull it out and store it. The reason I ask is because my hen has been sitting on some eggs for about 2-4 hours a day for the past 4 days, are the eggs still viable? If she has been sitting on them today for 7 hours can I still pull them and store them for the next hen? What about 24 hours? What would be the cutoff? Hope this makes sense. Thanks, Alex

 

[gamebirdsonly]

I think you would be save for few hours but not 24 hours. I would say anything 8 hours or less

 

[4-H chicken mom]

I don't think anyone has ever done it, so if you really need to do it, all I can say is go for it. But, be prepared for the worse. Good luck and let us know how it works for you.

 

[AVizcaya]

I had a feeling it would be a difficult question. Any other opinions?

 

[Matt A NC]

A couple years ago I read a study that stated that incubation can be stopped anything in the first 3 days and restarted with minimal loss of hatchability. I know it was from one of the big Agri universities, but not sure which.

I really wish I still had the links I had then. Alot was lost last fall when my system burned out.

Matt

 

[Kiwibird]

How have your ambient temperatures been? If it is warm, I think the likelihood of development having started is greater. If they are very pale eggs, candling might reveal something at this early stage.

 

[AVizcaya]

They are turkey eggs actually so candling as a newbie isn't much of an option. My real problem is that I have 3 turkey hens, one sitting on a clutch of 11, another just starting sitting today on a clutch of 23!!! and isn't doing a good job of covering them when I checked. Temperatures have been in the 40's so I don't think that would be an issue. Took the extra eggs away after about 9-10 hours under the broody (I didn't think she was going to stay) to start a third nest for my last girl. Thank you Matt for you information, it gives me courage.

And get this, my broody turkey are NICE! not one bite or peck or hiss yet!

 

[AVizcaya]

I am also considering taking just a couple more away in the morning, that would be about 24 hours into incubation.

 

[Kiwibird]

Even if you have no success with the eggs you take away, you certainly increase your chances of success with the eggs under the bird, if she is having trouble covering them. Otherwise they are just going to each go cold in turn as she moves them around the nest, so I think it is a good call. All the best with your hatches!

 

[SaltLakeSpice]

Within the first two days, you should be ok.