I have three ducks and 1 drake who is in "love" with all the ducks . I sell my duck eggs and gather them up everyday , wash them and put them in the fridge. I have had a number of people wanting to buy fertile eggs for hatching and I tell them there is no way I can guarantee the eggs are fertile to begin with and don't know if I am "killing" the future duckling by putting the eggs in the Fridge. They are not frozen but between 38-40 degrees. I know from past experience that eggs left in an unattended nest will hatch out once the mama duck decides to sit on the eggs when they are in larger quantities. Any advice, especially from anyone who has hatched once refrigerated eggs? Thanks
The refrigerated eggs will be fine. Washing is more of a problem. That said, there is a sort of club here where people hatch Trader Joe's and Whole Foods fertile eggs. Those are both refrigerated and washed. Ideal storage is about 55-60F but if storing longer, the cooler temp of the refrigerator may benefit them.
Putting eggs in the fridge does kill them. It's fine to leave eggs for hatching out of the fridge for up to 10 days
You can leave the eggs on the counter for up to 10 days if you just want to make sure they're still viable
