OK so my zebra finches have mated and layed eggs and have sat on them for 5 days now they both came out for a while and i wanted to see whats the longest the eggs can survive without them sitting on them they have started sitting on them again a minute after but want to know if the eggs are OK thank you
In the wild the mother and father bird may take turns sitting on the eggs, but also one bird may be off eating, drinking and the bird sitting on them may need to drink as well. So they will leave the eggs, they are fine for a while. The eggs can get cold and still be okay, but cannot freeze.
So, yes the eggs should be just fine. It's natural for the birds to go and get something to eat or drink while attending to eggs.:)
The longest a fertile egg can survive without having either of the parents sitting on it is about 20 to 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, it is unlikely that the embryo will survive.
- PA
