letting eggs settle before incubation

[Lilyofsalen]

Hi,
I just finished my homemade incubator (see opinions on incubator thread) and got some eggs from a friend of mine who has quail. I plan on setting them tomorrow morning but for now, they are sitting on their sides in a chicken egg crate outside of the incubator.

For future reference, do you have to sit eggs a certain way while they settle? (pointy end up/down, or on their sides)

 

[rascal66]

I personally have always had them resting pointy side down. They will probably be okay on their sides too, I'd imagine. Just make sure to at least turn the eggs position once a day to help avoid the yolk from sticking to a side.

 

[Lilyofsalen]

I'm confused, I've read not to turn them because you want them to settle.

 

[rascal66]

I'm confused, I've read not to turn them because you want them to settle.

Well, from the day they are laid, you won't have to worry about it. It if you are storing the fertile eggs for longer periods of time, (several days or so), its recommended to turn the egg at least once a day.

 

[rascal66]

Here is Brinsea's advice page on storing fertile eggs. https://www.brinsea.com/articles/advice/EggStorage.aspx

And a screenshot on how they recommend turning the egg at least once a day.

 

[Lilyofsalen]

Ok, thank you and 12 hours of settling should be plenty of time for a 20-minute car ride. right?

 

[rascal66]

I'm sorry, I should have worded it better before.

Here is how I store my fertile eggs. (At least my chicken eggs).

The day the eggs are laid, I put them pointy side down in an egg tray. I allow them to settle throughout the rest of the day/night. Next morning, if I'm not putting them in the incubator that day, I prop the egg tray on its side to allow the eggs to be at an angle, to move the yolk.

I hope this makes better sense? Sorry again

 

[rascal66]

Ok, thank you and 12 hours of settling should be plenty of time for a 20-minute car ride. right?

I would believe so!

 

[Lilyofsalen]

Makes sense to me, is there any advantage to storing eggs pointy side down vs on their sides?

 

[rascal66]

I am unsure, however in my mind, I believe when a hen lays her eggs, they are already on their sides. But I really don't know if there is an advantage or not. I have only ever stored them pointy side down.