Hi everybody! I have a trio of Silver Duckwing Bantam chickens who, because they are in a heated area, (long story,) are breeding and have laid 4 eggs since 12/31. I have the eggs in my fridge, how long will they remain alive in there before I would need to put them into the incubator? I'm thinking that I would rather have several chicks the same age and size than all different sizes having been hatched days apart. Thanks in advance for the help! Leslie

-- Leslie in MW OR (leslie@webolium.com), January 05, 2002

Answers

Hi Leslie, Where are you in Oregon? We live in Woodland, WA but grew up in Oregon. Although I have set and hatched eggs that were accidently refrigerated, I usually just accumulate eggs at room temp. or less. I know for sure you can keep them at least 10 days before setting. I know that a hen lays up to 20 eggs before starting to set on them. They don't all hatch, but most of them do. If outside, she usually chooses a shady spot under some brush, to keep the sun off them, but still they are pretty warm in the summer, waiting for her to start setting.

-- Dianne Wood (woodgoat@pacifier.com), January 05, 2002.

Diana, I live outside of the town of Lowell, which is near Eugene and Springfield which are along the I-5 corridor in the middle west of Oregon. Lowell is a small town of about 1002 people located to the east and south of Springfield on the edge of the mountains. Thanks for the info about being able to leave eggs out at room temp. I'm wondering; how much do they continue to develop while they are sitting there? Do you know at all how long they CAN be in the fridge? ?? Mine are already in there, and the chickens are still laying. :) Leslie

-- Leslie in MW OR (leslie@webolium.com), January 05, 2002.

I've stored eggs in the fridge for up to 3 weeks. If you collect eggs for 2 or 3 weeks and keep them stored in the fridge, nothing will grow in the egg until it's incubated, either by an incubator or a hen. When you put all the eggs at the same time under a hen/in the incubator, all the chicks will hatch in 3 weeks. My hens hatch all my eggs. Leave the eggs on the counter and let them warm up to room temperature before placing under a hen. She'll thank you!

My hens lay eggs and hatch chicks all year around without added heat or light. It may be cold out there, but those egg laying fools make me want to stick a cork up their butt! -LOL-

-- ~Rogo (rogo2020@yahoo.com), January 05, 2002.

Rogo, what kind of chickens do you have? Happy Future, Jim

-- Jim Raymond (jimr@terraworld.net), January 05, 2002.

Rogo, do you separate your setting hens from the rest? If so, How?

-- Ann Markson (tngreenacres@hotmail.com), January 05, 2002.

=== Rogo, what kind of chickens do you have? ===

I have Bantams and Standards. Turkens (Naked Necks), OEG's, etc. The Bantams are mostly Cochin and OEG/Cochin cross. I had several other breeds years ago ~ Silkie, Sultan, Polish, Frizzle, Ameraucana, Turken ~ but I'm working towards all Turkens, my favorites.

==Rogo, do you separate your setting hens from the rest? If so, How? ===

No separating here. The hens and a bunch of roos all free range together during the day and roost together in the pens at night.

My nest boxes are Booda Loo large covered cat litter boxes that sit on the ground. Haven't had any problems with the other birds disturbing the setting hens.

The only reason I have the birds is as pesticide engineers! They keep the insect population down, 'specially the zillions of grasshoppers that used to be here. Thus, I don't mind the inter-breeding. Their eggs are a bonus.

-- ~Rogo (rogo2020@yahoo.com), January 05, 2002.

I learn from this forum, something new almost every day. Thanks everyone, and it wasn't even my question to begin with. I'll try refrigerating the eggs; it sounds as if my hatch rate might increase.

-- Dianne Wood (woodgoat@pacifier.com), January 05, 2002.

Thanks Rogo! Now I'm getting excited about having a little bit of spring early. Thanks again! Leslie

-- Leslie in MW OR (leslie@webolium.com), January 05, 2002.

Dianne, I don't have an incubator 'cause I don't want one, but a friend who hatches quite a variety of poultry in incubators says her 'bator hatches have greatly improved since she's been storing the eggs in the fridge.

-- ~Rogo (rogo2020@yahoo.com), January 05, 2002.

Rogo, I know this doesn't really apply to this thread, but I would love to know why turkens are your favorites. I've seen them but never had any myself.

-- Sheryl in ME (radams@sacoriver.net), January 05, 2002.

Well, Sheryl, the Turkens are a very mellow breed and lay eggs much larger than the jumbos in the supermarket. But I guess I like them 'cause they're such good conversation pieces. Not many folks around here are familiar with the breed and don't understand how I can like such an ugly bird! -LOL- I tell them that beauty is in the eye of the beholder! They ARE funny looking ~ kinda remind me of Moe in the 3 Stoodges.

Altho I'm not much for eating chicken, this large bird is dual-purpose. I dunno. I think they're neat.

-- ~Rogo (rogo2020@yahoo.com), January 05, 2002.

Must depend on how cold your refrigerature is, everyone I talked to said it will kill the embryo and NOT to store them in the frig at all, but hold them at no less than 40 degrees for optimal hatch. I have had good hatch rates just stored at 50 to 60 degree room temperatures for up to 10 days storage before incubating.

-- Annie Miller in SE OH (annie@1st.net), January 07, 2002.

Hi,

Eggs don't develop at all unless they are sitting in a incubator or under a hen at the right temperature. That's how a hen can lay twelve eggs on twelve successive days and they will all hatch at once. She doesn't start sitting on them until she has layed them all. Eggs can be hatched after being in the fridge but temps close to freezing will reduce hatch rate. They are better kept at a moderate to cool temp. Happy brooding!

Sara on Vashon Island in Washington

-- Sara Perry (JPerry1218@aol.com), January 07, 2002.