Winter Egg Management

[SubArcticFowl]

I am curious what people's practices are for managing eggs in the winter?

There is a good article on using an electric heat pad in the nest box to keep the eggs from freezing. I am trying something similar with a seed starting mat, but it doesn't seem warm enough. I work all day away from the house. It is dark and cold when I leave, and dark and cold when I come back. So far there haven't been any obviously frozen eggs, but I am a little concerned that they may be compromised without me knowing. This morning I collected two that were very cold to the touch and I'm thinking they were laid the night before. Would it be best to store them in the fridge this time of year because I just don't know?

 

[_-Captain BRM-_]

I store mine in the fridge and I've never had them freeze.... We live in West Michigan and it can get to negatives.... So I guess they probably have frozen before but it doesn't make much of a difference. If you have a roo make sure that the eggs don't get warm enough to begin development!!

 

[Mrs. K]

I do not have electricity to the coop, and I work, so in the deep freezes of winter, I will get a frozen eggs. To me there are levels of frozen and that effects what I do with them.

• no crack - treat them like normal
• a hairline crack - keep in a separate area in the fridge and use ASAP
• Deep thick crack with white exposed - thaw in bowl and feed to the dog.

Good Luck,
Mrs K

 

[aart]

@DobieLover

 

[DobieLover]

I am curious what people's practices are for managing eggs in the winter?

There is a good article on using an electric heat pad in the nest box to keep the eggs from freezing. I am trying something similar with a seed starting mat, but it doesn't seem warm enough. I work all day away from the house. It is dark and cold when I leave, and dark and cold when I come back. So far there haven't been any obviously frozen eggs, but I am a little concerned that they may be compromised without me knowing. This morning I collected two that were very cold to the touch and I'm thinking they were laid the night before. Would it be best to store them in the fridge this time of year because I just don't know?

I use this method.
I collect eggs as soon as I get home from work and recommend you do the same. I've collected eggs when the day time temps were in the teens and they were fine.

 

[SubArcticFowl]

I do not have electricity to the coop, and I work, so in the deep freezes of winter, I will get a frozen eggs. To me there are levels of frozen and that effects what I do with them.

• no crack - treat them like normal
• a hairline crack - keep in a separate area in the fridge and use ASAP
• Deep thick crack with white exposed - thaw in bowl and feed to the dog.

Good Luck,
Mrs K

This seems like a good approach, thank you.

I use this method.
I collect eggs as soon as I get home from work and recommend you do the same. I've collected eggs when the day time temps were in the teens and they were fine.

Yes, I am doing that now. I check just before I leave for work and as soon as I get back. Unfortunately, my headlamp was super dim last night (needs charging) and I think might have missed a couple. I have a timed light on in the morning so I can see fine collecting in the AM.

 

[3KillerBs]

Unfortunately, my headlamp was super dim last night (needs charging) and I think might have missed a couple.

I use golf balls instead of more realistic fake eggs in my nest and can collect eggs in the dark or from under a hen by touch without accidentally picking up the fakes.

 

[aart]

I use this method.

You're using a seed mat?

 

[SubArcticFowl]

I use golf balls instead of more realistic fake eggs in my nest and can collect eggs in the dark or from under a hen by touch without accidentally picking up the fakes.

Oh, I am super paranoid about hygiene. I have dedicated gloves for the chicken coop and never touch anything in there without them. Unfortunately, my sense of touch isn't that great, especially with the insulated winter variety.

 

[3KillerBs]

Oh, I am super paranoid about hygiene. I have dedicated gloves for the chicken coop and never touch anything in there without them. Unfortunately, my sense of touch isn't that great, especially with the insulated winter variety.

I just wash my hands when I'm done working with them.