I have been setting eggs for a while and you always want to set the freshest eggs possible,if holding them they need to be gently turned a couple of times a day...if possible have an egg turner set up somewhere so it is done for you, and yes small end down , 7 days is the maximum I would hold eggs for setting....you can try but the rate is awful.after hatching I have a brooder set up with pine shavings for them ...transferring them you have to be careful and keep them warm and stress free...the least little chill at that age and they expire..I do use chick starter and just plain water. Oh and I do have a cabinet style bator so they stay in the bottom shelf for 48 hours...food is added then and small amounts of water....they drown easily...oh and this one thing I do is set the temp lower than all the books and bators tell you...95 is where i sit it....sometimes chicks hatch for a week but it has worked for me.....heat spikes don't seem to affect the eggs as much. I am no professional so take this for what it is....just plain ole trial and error....Good luck with your hatching!
