HOW LONG CAN I WAIT TO INCUBATE MY FERTILIZED EGGS

[KonKretePillar]

How long can I wait to begin incubating fertilized eggs.
Does it matter what position I leave the eggs in prior to incubating them? For example, can I put them in egg cartons and save them in the pantry until I am ready to incubate? how long do you think they can sit, and still be eggs that will produce baby chicks?

I also would like any recommendations on incubators that monitor temp, humidity, and automatically turn.

 

[cavemanrich]

Fertility in eggs can last up to about 3 weeks. That being said, it means only a few will develop at 3 week age. As the time of egg decreases, the chance of successful incubation increases. At one week old,,, most eggs will develop.
It is best to store eggs in a carton pointed egg side down. This prevents the air pocket which is at the blunt end of egg, from being dislodged.
Don't have a recommendation on incubator, but I'm sure many peeps here will chime in on their favorites.
WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, and

 

[R2elk]

How long can I wait to begin incubating fertilized eggs.
Does it matter what position I leave the eggs in prior to incubating them? For example, can I put them in egg cartons and save them in the pantry until I am ready to incubate? how long do you think they can sit, and still be eggs that will produce baby chicks?

I also would like any recommendations on incubators that monitor temp, humidity, and automatically turn.

Read Hatching Eggs 101 by @Sally Sunshine

 

[Jedstar]

I agree with what cavemanrich has said. I've got a janoel 48 incubator which has all of the gadgets and automatic turning. Its fanned forced and its. Pretty good. They do the 12 egger the 24 egger the 48 egger and the 96 egger. The 12 egg machine doesnt have the humidity gauge though.you have to take the lid of every 2 to 3 days to top up the water. So you gotta stick to the 100 ml of water rule.I use normal water. Not warm.I first had a janoel 12 machine. They are good to.

 

[KonKretePillar]

Fertility in eggs can last up to about 3 weeks. That being said, it means only a few will develop at 3 week age. As the time of egg decreases, the chance of successful incubation increases. At one week old,,, most eggs will develop.
It is best to store eggs in a carton pointed egg side down. This prevents the air pocket which is at the blunt end of egg, from being dislodged.
Don't have a recommendation on incubator, but I'm sure many peeps here will chime in on their favorites.
WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, and

Thank you for your information.

 

[R2elk]

DO YOU THINK YOU ARE HELPFUL? YOU ARE NOT.

If you read Hatching Eggs 101 by @Sally Sunshine you will find all of your questions answered. There is a section on how to hold eggs for hatching including a method for longer than normally recommended storage times. It also has a section on incubator selection including a section about homemade incubators.

She thoroughly covers all aspects of hatching eggs.

Of course if you don't take the time to read it, you will not benefit from it.

 

[R2elk]

when I ask a specific question, and you refer me to a book you like or are promoting, it is not a help. I am asking the community for their opinion not looking for reference material. Maybe you don't understand, maybe this is a concept that is beyond you, but you are another example of the problem not the solution.

Hatching Eggs 101 is not a book, it is a BYC article that was done through extensive research by @Sally Sunshine and contains the exact answers that you asked for.

It is sad that you think others should do your research for you.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

can I put them in egg cartons and save them in the pantry until I am ready to incubate? how long do you think they can sit, and still be eggs that will produce baby chicks

Hi there, welcome to BYC!

I agree with what's been posted already but there are things you can do to help when eggs are being stored for extended periods before setting, including turning and even covering in plastic if more than 14 days. One of the best hatching resources I have found with tons of information in the following link...
Incubation guide

DO YOU THINK YOU ARE HELPFUL? YOU ARE NOT.

Most of what I learned came from that link... it's helpful, if you aren't too lazy or too busy to read through it. Believe it or not.. most of us are here to support each other as one of the most fantastic internet communities there is and that includes @R2elk (who has lots of relevant input). So most of us do try to be more understanding and friendly instead of stand offish or reactive. That doesn't seem to be the general air of forums, and it might be a little easier once familiar with posters and their TRUE intent to help folks and their flocks. Please note that if you don't like what someone posted... it's OKAY to simply not respond instead of adding sarcasm to stir up some pot for no basic reason. We don't have to defend ourselves here... we ARE all friends and should NOT be or feel attacked by other forum members. Sometimes we do have to consider other members maturity levels and be the bigger person.

Doesn't matter which bator you get... DON'T trust the readouts and get an auxiliary thermometer/hygrometer to help get the best hatches possible.

Happy hatching!

ETA: the table of content will direct you to whichever section and page you are looking for.