How long can shipped eggs rest before I set them in an incubator?

[gryeyes]

I succumbed to a frenzy of bidding for eggs on eBay. And won too many of the danged auctions. As soon as I realized that, I ordered another incubator.

Well, the eggs have arrived here, but the incubator has not.. yet... I'm trying to decide if I should shove some of the eggs under my current broody who started setting on 9/14, just to "save them" and not waste them ... until the incubator arrives.

What's the best course of action to take in this instance? I may have as much as four more days to wait for the incubator, given that there's a weekend on the horizon.

 

[Dipsy Doodle Doo]

Hi! Email your egg shippers and explain your incubator(lack of)-problem, and ask the age of the eggs they shipped (laid when - when).
In the meantime, candle them and assume the eggs with larger air cells are the oldest --- and set those right away. The ones with smaller air cells are fresher and can be held a few days longer.
Good luck!

Lisa