Holding hatching eggs before incubation

[chickfused]

I've got 24 hatching eggs of different breeds arriving Tuesday through Friday of this week. I wish to set them all Saturday, to give the last arrivals time to settle their air cells.

Can I hold the early arrivals for a few days? I know I can hold them for 48 hours, fat end up to settle the air cells, but 4 days? They'll be at least a week old by then, they were packed by the shipper last night.

Any thoughts, input, advice, tips, tricks?

Thanks in advance chickeny friends!

 

[sourland]

I have no experience with shipped eggs, but have held eggs for incubation in excess of 2 weeks with high percentage hatches. Good luck.

 

[chickfused]

In any particular fashion? I know I should store them fat end up, but should I store them with a certain temp or humidity to prevent air cell expansion before incubation starts? Or is 4-5 days not going to matter?

 

[Tonyroo]

Keep the eggs cool in the 50's if you need to hold them off for a bit. Other than that they should be good to go when you start the incubation process.

Also if you need to handle the eggs wear gloves or sanitize your hands before touching them. To prevent spreading bacteria from your hands to the eggshells.

 

[chickfused]

Thanks! Would it be ok to keep them in the mid 40s you think? I could put them safely in the basement which holds a consistent 45-47 or so until they all arrive.

 

[Tonyroo]

Thanks! Would it be ok to keep them in the mid 40s you think? I could put them safely in the basement which holds a consistent 45-47 or so until they all arrive.

Yes, that's fine.

 

[Tonyroo]

Don't forget to sanitize your incubator before starting the incubator.

 

[chickfused]

I won't! I always clean and bleach it to spotlessness/like new before I put it away after each use. Thank you for the reminder

 

[sourland]

Thanks! Would it be ok to keep them in the mid 40s you think? I could put them safely in the basement which holds a consistent 45-47 or so until they all arrive.

I stored in an earthen basement - 55/60 F with humidity above 50%. Stored in a clean medium (ground corncobs) and turned twice daily.

 

[chickfused]

That's helpful. I will put them in some pine shavings in a cooler with a bit of damp cloth. My basement humidity is much drier. Thank you!!