how long to hold eggs

[dadsgirl]

i am trying to get enough eggs to hatch at one time, how many days can you wait before incubating chick eggs without causing damage or no hatching.

 

[Mrs MIA]

It varies, but I think the general rule is about 7 days under the right conditions (cool ~ 45-55°F and out of the sun, in a carton pointed end down). After 7 days hatchability starts to decline, though some people have said they've had egg that were 14 days old hatch just fine.
Generally, the sooner the better...