freshness of eggs and incubating

[Spinster_Sister]

This will be my second time incubating but I have a question. I won a set of EE eggs from Ebay and received them Friday. My IncuCube will not be available for about one week. Should I put my eggs in the refrigerator OR just keep them out and keep turning them?
The eggs are supposed to be very fresh, like one day old when shipped...and they are quite large and a lovely blueish colour. I would hate to lose these Wheaten soon-to-be- chicks.

TIA

 

[Cindiloohoo]

I'd candle the ones in the bator and discard any bad ones to make room for the EE's if it were me.....actually...if it were ME...I'd get another bator for just such emergencies

 

[Spinster_Sister]

Thanks Cindi for answering. I don't have the incubator yet....so the eggs are in waiting....just want to know if I should put them in the frig or let them stay out until the incubator arrives.

The only way I was able to get these eggs....was because I purchased the beta version of the IncuCube, so this hatch is for "commerical" purposes!! I love hatching and raising them up....it is very addicting...if I had a piece of land somewhere, I think I could easily become a chicken herder!

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

No don't put them in the fridge. Keep them in a cool room and turn them twice a day until your incubator gets there.

 

[Keri78]

Even if they were collected fresh and shipped the same day(which who knows?)...a couple of days for shipping(2-3days?)...plus 7 more until your bator arrives!!! Your talkin well past day 10!!! You may loose a few...so just keep that in mind. Plus your going to have to get your bator set up and running..at least one more day to stabilize temp & humidity!

Can you borrow a bator from someone and then transfer them when you get your bator up and running???

ok..if not...here's the guidlines for storing hatching eggs:
http://www.eggbid.com/help/gathernstore.cfm

Eggs should be stored in the proper environment. A cool, slightly damp location seems best...the basement often works well. Ideal temperature for hatching egg storage is 40*-55*. Humidity about 75%.

10. Hatching eggs need to be turned at least twice daily or at regular intervals. This can easily be done by placing one end (tipping) of the egg carton on a flat surface (table) & elevating the opposite end

45*-55* (this can be achieved by simply placing a few books under that end). This keeps the yolk & embryos from "sticking" to one side of the egg.

11. Hatching eggs used for shipping should not be older than 4 days old at time of shipment. As research has proven that at the age of 7 days hatchability begins dropping.

I got a cheap little digital hygrometer(measures both temp & humidity) AWESOME little gadget...great peace of mind!!! Ebay like $12 free next day shipping!!! Anywho...I have my fridge set on the "warmest" setting and this keeps it at about 45degrees and then I keep a cup of water or wet washcloth in there to keep the humidity up! I keep the eggs in cartons big end up and tilt one end up and then the other end up at least 3 times a day. My hatch rates have been AWESOME!!!!

Hope this helps!

 

[Keri78]

The ONLY reason I store mine in my fridge is b/c I KNOW the temp and humidity in the fridge...I DON'T recommend doing this until you know those two factors for sure and it will take time for your fridge to warm up. Ok...I feel like a BIG Chickie DORK now...night-night!