Knowing when to swop the eggs?

[GOLD]

So i'm going to let my chickens hatch their own eggs when they get broody but how do i know when to start collecting the eggs so that when they do I will have eggs to put under her? Do i just put them in the fridge and wait?

 

[shojo]

You can only hold onto the eggs about 7 days before hatching rates decrease. They will need to be kept at room temp small end down. What I read suggested putting a book or block under one side of the carton and switch it to the other side once a day to keep the yoke from adhering to the side. My eggs have been in the incubator for 5 days now. I am going to candle at seven days. Hope most are viable...

 

[GOLD]

Anyone else who has an opinion?

 

[JanO]

When your hen is starting to think about going broody she'll lay plenty of eggs to get the job done, assuming that you have a rooster and she's laying fertile eggs. If not, as soon as you see her getting broody see if you can find some fresh eggs from someone who has fertile eggs. Slip them under her and she'll do the job. I once had a hen who was broody but had no fertile eggs so I put a golf ball under her until I could find some. It took about a week before I had 3 to put under her. She hatched them out and had no trouble raising them.