how long can you keep eggs for hatching???

[pbunny]

ok i have some deferant breeds of chickens.. i would like to hatch out several at one time, i have incubators to do this, but my Q is how long can i keep them for before i have to set them in the incubator?
and how long should i give them after i incubat , after due date should i throw them out??
thanks

 

[JanO]

As a general rule I don't keep then longer than 5 or 6 days max. Some say 7 or 8 but I prefer fresher. I have no trouble collecting at least a dozen eggs in 2 or 3 days, so how long I keep them depends on how many I want to put in the incubator.

I will keep eggs in the incubator a maximum of 25 days. If they haven't hatched by then odds are they aren't going to hatch at all.

 

[bugglesmommy]

Fresher eggs do better, but fertility doesn't really start to drop until after 7 days. Then you can expect I think its a 10% drop every day after. Store them in a cool room and turn them a few times a day before setting to help them stay viable.

There are a few factors, mainly slightly low temps., that could cause chicks to develop slower. After 21 days have passed you can candle and float test any that have no pips or signs of hatching (rocking, cheeping) .... I would never throw an egg out without checking first.

 

[pbunny]

how do i float test an egg thank for the other info