Eggs

[Barnyard]

Hey everyone. I have 6 RIR hens that are laying, but they do not lay in the same day. My question is... How much time do I have once a egg is laid to get it in the bator. I am lost, I have never done this before. I would really like to "try" and hatch more than one. Oh, and yes I have a rooster

. I have noticed him mating with my girls. Some of the girls have just started laying. Thanks in advance!!

Tiffany

 

[hinkjc]

A hen will easily take 10-14 days to collect a clutch of eggs before sitting. You can safely store them for up to 2 weeks with minimal impact. Keep them around 50-60 degrees and in a humid location if possible for storage until you're ready to incubate. Basements and garages are good for this versus inside a warm dry house.

Jody

 

[skeeter9]

Hi Tiffany,
Most of us try to put our eggs in the bator by the 10th day or so, but they can last longer than that if you store them properly. They should be kept between about 60-65 degrees (some people store them cooler). I have heard that they can still be viable as long as 3 weeks, but I have never pushed it farther than 14 days.

How exciting to hatch your own eggs!!!

Best of luck!!!

 

[Barnyard]

U people are wonderfull on this site!!! Thankyou so much for your advice!!

 

[skeeter9]

You're welcome, Tiffany. We're glad you joined!

 

[eggzettera]

You said that some of the girls are just starting to lay.....I thought it was not advisable to hatch out pullet eggs?

 

[ksacres]

Quote:
Pullet eggs, as a general rule, are harder to hatch. You wouldn't want to sell hatching eggs from a pullet, but there's nothing wrong with trying to hatch them yourself

 

[tink]

Mine just started sitting on 8 eggs this week.....I cant wait to see what happens. I had to close her up in her own cage because the other hens would come in and yell until she let them lay an egg in her nest. Then she would get back on them. Now she is peacefully by herself with her soon to be babies!!
I will let you know how it goes.
Tink

 

[Barnyard]

If u all say not to hatch pullet eggs then I would have to believe you cause I have no clue!!

I have 3 older hens that I could use there eggs, might take me a week to get enough to put in the bator, lol!! Where would I need to store the eggs untile I get enough? I have no garage or basement.

 

[Tuffoldhen]

Just a cool place somewhere in your house, just not where there is alot of heat, my kitchen and dining room I kept on the cool side so thats where I store my eggs when I want to hatch...even a spot in your laundry area, an extra bedroom, anyplace cool but not freezing or like the fridge.......you know to store them big end up? and an egg carton works well to store them in............