Question about Eggs

[Laraine]

I'm curious, how many hours a day does a hen need to sit on her eggs to keep then viable and does the chick inside die immediately if they become cold?

[Robyn]

Laraine why are you asking do you think your having a problem??

I notice the conures are in & out of their nest all the time & have often wondered if the eggs would survive but they seem to. I would guess my conures would be out of their nests for a good 10 minutes once they have started to incubate. It seems every time they hear me near the cage out they come to see what i am up to. Same sort of thing with the eclectus. Sorry i couldn't help more.

[Laraine]

My birds are doing their usual thing, sitting on eggs for about 2 weeks and then abandoning them. I was wondering how long the chicks would survive.

[vankarhi]

Skye sits on her eggs but comes out often.......whereas Shrekie sits tight on her eggs for the full time only coming out to go to the toilet and eat quickly then she goes back.

I think the eggs can sustain a bit of time without heat before dying but I am not sure exactly how long. I think 10 to 15 mins occassionally is fine. But if they are abandoned mid way.......or a few days before hatching.......they will not survive unless you put them under or in an incubator or some sort of warmth.

My parents incubated some chicken eggs in a fry pan when I was around 12 years old. They did this from day 1 and hatched out 2 or 3 chickens but I do remember mum turning the eggs and spraying them lightly with water (for humidity) etc.

[Laraine]

I'm having my usual frustrating season. Both the Elegant and Pink Bourkes eggs were clear. Also when I checked the boxes after work yesterday there were 3 very cold eggs in one tiel box, they immediately hopped in when I left the aviary. That sort of thing is why I was asking about cold eggs, they are doing it all the time. Grrr.

On a happier note (I hope) another show budgie is sitting on 2 eggs. Hopefully a better outcome. Red Rump is on eggs again.