How long after laying can you incubate?

[Buffco]

With only a few hens, you don't exactly get a nest full in one day. So my question is, how long can an egg lay "dormant" and still be viable, before the hens sets them, or they are put in an incubator?

 

[silkiechicken]

Generally you want to keep them less than a week. 10 days is pushing it, and it is possible to keep two weeks, but your hatch rate and deformity rate will increase over time.

 

[Buffco]

Wow, that's a lot longer than I figured. I was thinking maybe 3 days, tops. Thanks.