how long can i store my fertile duck eggs until i incubate them ?

[michelle b 1972]

hi everyone, my duck started laying eggs yesterday so up to now i have 2 eggs but i want to incubate them ... ideally i was going to wait until i had 10 eggs then incubate them.... can anyone offer any suggestions please ! i do have a drake in with my girls at all times !
this is my first time incubating and i want to get it right before i start !
thanks
michelle

 

[deerman]

hatch rate starts dropping after 10 days......but if stored where its cool and high humdity last longer. myself would try to set within 2 weeks.

not that older eggs wouldn't hatch , but lower rate

 

[Gypsy07]

I just had a look in my 'Ducks and Geese' book (I don't actually have any, I bought the book 'just in case'!) and it says it's best to store eggs for a maximum of ten days, round about 12C/54F, pointy end down. Same as for chickens really. It doesn't say anything about humidity while storing them but I'd have imagined it would be a bit higher than for storing chicken eggs...

 

[michelle b 1972]

thanks guys ! where would you suggest ? the bathroom ? please be advised i live in the uk ... so our weather conditions are terrible at the moment..... well....all the time really

michelle x

 

[michelle b 1972]

gypsy... i just noticed you live in scotland.... where did you get that book from please.... think i should invest in one x also what is the full title and author please ? x

 

[Gypsy07]

Hi Michelle, it's called 'Keeping Ducks and Geese' by Chris & Mike Ashton, and I just chose it at random from a few similar looking ones on Amazon, cause it was the one going cheap! I think it's quite a basic book really, but it's got all the essentiaL info and some great photos of all the different breeds. Hope that helps you!