How long do eggs last before they need to be put into and incubator?

[americana-chick]

I have someone comign down on Friday or Sunday and at the most it will be 5 days the eggs will be sitting in my basement. I didnt want to put them in the fridge so i found the coolest place possible without it getting to cold for the eggs. I was wondering how long will they last down there before they wont be suitable for hatching? This is for this girls science project and i want her hatch to be great!

 

[PandoraTaylor]

as long as you turn (lift one side or the other at least once daily)
they say you can get good hatches up to a week or longer.
But some hens lay for 3 weeks before starting to set.

 

[apsmacart]

I have had eggs that were kept cool that were out for 7 days that hatched.
My understanding is that the longer you wait the worse your hatch rate is.

 

[MagsC]

I had some that were 7 days old when they were shipped (she sent them as extras just for me to try and hatch). The "old" ones all hatched.

 

[silkiechicken]

About a week old is optimal, but in ideal lab egg storage systems, up to 3 weeks can still give you about 50% of the chicks.

 

[bigdawg]

i hatched out some that were 11 days old. silkies. had a good hatch

 

[americana-chick]

At what temperature should the eggs be while waiting? I know some people put there eggs in the fridge and will still get a pretty decent hatch (i have done this before) but i want the best quality hatch possible for these people. Would a 70-80 degree room work ok?

 

[FortWorthChicks]

nope on the 70-80 room. I read to keep em between 40 and 60 is best.