How long are fertile eggs good

[12chickenlover3]

How long can a fertile egg sit without being sat on. Also how long will a silkie hen sit on the egg, because I want to put
eggs I buy off here for her to sit on. Since I don't have a rooster.


I know this is jumbled up,
Alexandra

 

[sourland]

I have incubated eggs that were as old as 21 days with good results. 7 to 10 days is probably a safer holding period. If you are talking shipped eggs, that is a completely different deal that I have no experience with. Someone will chime in with advice on shipped eggs. Most silkies are very good broodies and will willingly go beyond the normal 21 day incubation period.

 

[sumi]

Fertile eggs can be stored and hatched for up to 3 weeks, as Sourland said, but after 10 days the egg's hatchibility drops significantly and after day 18 you may encounter problems with the chick's development and ability to hatch. When you receive your eggs place them fat end up in a cool place (65*F-75*F) for 24 hours to settle before setting them. You may have problems from the shipping (detached air cells is common with shipped eggs), so candle the eggs before setting them under the hen. Hopefully your eggs will arrive in good shape. Best of luck with your hatch!

 

[12chickenlover3]

I have incubated eggs that were as old as 21 days with good results. 7 to 10 days is probably a safer holding period. If you are talking shipped eggs, that is a completely different deal that I have no experience with. Someone will chime in with advice on shipped eggs. Most silkies are very good broodies and will willingly go beyond the normal 21 day incubation period.

Fertile eggs can be stored and hatched for up to 3 weeks, as Sourland said, but after 10 days the egg's hatchibility drops significantly and after day 18 you may encounter problems with the chick's development and ability to hatch. When you receive your eggs place them fat end up in a cool place (65*F-75*F) for 24 hours to settle before setting them. You may have problems from the shipping (detached air cells is common with shipped eggs), so candle the eggs before setting them under the hen. Hopefully your eggs will arrive in good shape. Best of luck with your hatch!

Thank you! After hearing this I am thinking of getting a rooster................