How long can eggs be left out after being laid?

[stellas mommy]

After eggs have been laid how long can they be in room temp, and still be able to be put in the incubator to hatch?

 

[duckyfromoz]

After about a week the chance of them being viable starts to decrease- by two weeks old- the hatch rate may be poor- any older and it may not be worth setting them at all. There are always instances where things are a little more positive- but freshest is always best if you want the chicks to be strong and healthy with the best chance.