Broody hen and shipped eggs

[shishimarie]

Hi
I just ordered some hatching eggs. They will be shipped on Monday and hopefully get to me soon. I have a broody hen that I’m placing them under and I would like to know do I place them under her as soon as I get them or let them rest. There is so much conflicting info out there Should I candlelight them to make sure they are developing? Or just place all 10 under her then candlelight them on day 5-7 and see who is developing. Also when I do place them under her that is considered day 1, right?
Ugh...I swear I’ve done this before but for some weird reason I just can’t remember anything

 

[Hyper_Chicken05]

Hi
I just ordered some hatching eggs. They will be shipped on Monday and hopefully get to me soon. I have a broody hen that I’m placing them under and I would like to know do I place them under her as soon as I get them or let them rest. There is so much conflicting info out there Should I candlelight them to make sure they are developing? Or just place all 10 under her then candlelight them on day 5-7 and see who is developing. Also when I do place them under her that is considered day 1, right?
Ugh...I swear I’ve done this before but for some weird reason I just can’t remember anything

It might be beat to give them a day to rest. Just put them all in them candle them on day 10, But shipped eggs usually have a low hatch rate.

 

[JedJackson]

Agree with the above. Wait until 24 to 48 hours after you get them to put them under the hen. Store in a cool place away from the sun, and make sure the pointy end is facing down. This allows the air cells to settle, so they will be in the right place when the chicks need them, before pipping.

Don't candle them until day 7 or so. It is possible to candle them immediately, but it's not easy to see what is going on at that stage, and it is very easy to miss things. So why go through the hassle when there is so little pay off? Unless you have reason to suspect lack of fertility, I wouldn't bother, myself.

And yes, the moment you put the eggs under the hen or in an incubator is the moment the countdown begins. After 24 hours, you've completed day 1, and start day 2. 21 days is the usual period for incubation, but it's definitely worth waiting 2 or 3 days longer if they don't hatch on schedule.