How old should mom be?

[Kezzie]

Hope I'm asking this in the right forum. My chickens are just at point of lay now and I'm hoping at some point to start hatching out some projects. How old should the parents be before keeping eggs to hatch? I'm assuming they should be laying for a while before saving the eggs?

And how should the eggs be collected and handled prior to putting in the incubator or shipping out? Should they just stay out at room temperature? How many days would they have before having to be put in the incubator?

Sorry for all the silly newbie questions!

 

[pax12]

3 weeks after they start laying and let the eggs lay in a room for a day

 

[pdsavage]

I collect eggs and have mailed right after collecting them...the fresher the better...i have put em right in the bator straight from the nest....
now if i got shipped eggs i would let em rest for a day....
As to how old well not sure usally like other poster said wait 3 to 4 weeks after they start laying make sure they are laying good and the roo is doing his job....
edit to say:i keep mine in the kitchen when im collecting eggs to hatch or ship and shift the carton/s side to side a few times a day....till i ship or incubat them...