Hatching eggs that are taken from the hens

[Cmaentz]

Hey y'all... newbie here! I have 2 styrofoam incubators set up and ready to go (stable at 100'). A few weeks ago I started gathering the eggs my hens were laying (Bantam Cochin) and put them in the bator 4/11/10 (about 30 eggs). I candled all of them last night until I was almost blinded & not one was fertile. Is my rooster shooting blanks? This little guy is a sex maniac & I see him "raping" the hens daily... sorry to be so blunt! I have 2 hens sitting on clutches right now & I usually don't pay attention until I start hearing "peeps" & then I move the little families to safer quarters.

My question is, how long can the eggs stay out safely before I put them in the bator? They're laid in a barn, I'm in East Tn & the weather is warm right now. The hens that aren't sitting are laying about 2 to 3 eggs a day & I'm planning on picking them up every other day & putting them in the bator. I date them so I can tell when I can start candling.

Also, I hated throwing out those eggs yesterday.. how long can I leave them in the bator before they "explode".. I was really concerned that I didn't know exactly what I was looking for & was afraid of throwing out good eggs! Definitely no veins or little black spots.. mostly yolks floating around.. a few stuck to the sides (yes, I have an automatic turner).

Thanks everyone!

Christine
www.crazygoatlady.com
http://www.facebook.com/LocoGoatLady?ref=ts

 

[faykokoWV]

you should really gather 1-2 times per day, but them in a controlled temperature enviroment, best results slightly humid and about 65 degrees. Again, for best results you shouldn't have eggs older than 4 days.