[Vivian]

Hi  sorry if this has been asked before but its sometime since my last visit.  I have had the same Welsummers for over 8 years now (well 5 out of 9) and they always lay their eggs in the nest box.  However yesterday when I went to lock them up one was missing.  I eventually found her sitting on 4 eggs.  I removed them as they are not fertile.  Today she was sitting on the same nest on another 5.  I had obviously missed them as she must have buried them in the leaves.  It seems a shame to throw them away so I was wondering would they be safe to eat?  I have tried the float test and they stay on the bottom of the bowl but don't know how old they are.  Be pleased to hear your opinions.

[grinling]

After finding where the cream legbars were laying I threw the lot away. Some are not using either nest box, Sprout using the hedge is fine, but where Darwin is going is a mystery...so will try to watch her more closely.
The 9 eggs might have taken about 2 weeks to lay.

[joyfull]

I would throw them as you dont know their age or if rats have crawled over them weeing as they go. What you could do is replace them with a pot or rubber egg or 2 and then daily remove any freshly laid eggs. By removing all eggs you may force her to find another secretive hiding place but by leaving rubber ones she will stay in the same place.

[Sassy]

It may be best to try and break her broodiness as it takes a lot out of them if you do not want to put fertile eggs under her 

[Vivian]

Thanks to all for your advice.   Have eaten a few but will bin the rest I think.