How fresh does an egg have to be to put under a broody hen?

[LonestarVol]

Considering that I do not wash, nor refrigerate my eggs, how many days old can it be and still be placed under a broody hen?

 

[Ridgerunner]

The ideal conditions to store eggs for hatching are around 55 F, high humidity, and out of direct sunlight and breezes. After a few days they should be turned a few times daily. Eggs can easily last two weeks or more in those conditions before incubation starts. I do not have ideal conditions. I store them in the house so the humidity is fairly low. My temperatures are in the 70's Fahrenheit. I regularly turn them. I get great hatches if I store them one week, could probably go a bit longer.

 

[ChicNmom]

It can take a hen 2 weeks or more to accumulate a clutch of eggs to hatch if you allow it or they sneak off and make a nest.

So as long as they aren't washed or refrigerated they should be OK

 

[nuthatched]

10 days is about the limit before fertility takes a nose dive.

 

[LonestarVol]

Y'all are awesome! Thank you!!