questions about handling fertile eggs

[Chew593]

I answered an add today from a local who got his granddaughter and incubator for Christmas and is looking for test run eggs. I have a small mixed flock with one ugly silkie roo and they lay fertile eggs every day. Now this man wants a dozen eggs. My flock only lays 4-5 eggs a day. How do I collect the eggs over a period of days to get to this man. Where should I store them between now and Monday?

 

[ljf24]

Wherever you store them (im not sure where is best, but hopefully someone here knows) make sure you are storing them pointy end down.

 

[fordmommy]

I know you're not supposed to wash them or refrig them.

Here's a BUMP.

 

[D'Angelo N Va.]

Actually I have just kept my eggs in an egg carton lg. end up in the kitchen on the counter.

 

[gritsar]

I've only packaged fertile eggs for hatching once, but it must have been okay because the person I gave them to had an excellent hatch from them.
I didn't wash the eggs, of course. It took me I think three days to collect the 18 I wanted, choosing only the largest most well-shaped eggs. As I collected them I put them in a paper carton on a counter in a cool area away from the heat vents. Put them in the carton small end down. I put a roll of duct tape (someone told me that this would be the perfect size) under one end of the carton to set it at an angle. A couple times a day I would switch the roll to the other end of the carton. Rotating the ends like this keeps the yolk from settling at one end.
Though I was hand-delivering them, not mailing, I still wrapped the whole carton in some bubble wrap I had handy to avoid any accidents in the car. I'm notoriously clumsey.
Hope this helps.

 

[Sir Birdaholic]

I keep my hatching eggs in a bowl in the shop. They stay around 60 degrees. It doesn't matter if they are pointy side down, they aren't that way under the hen. Just don't wash or handle them too much.

 

[Chew593]

thank you eggsperts! How long can they sit before going in the incubator?

 

[Sir Birdaholic]

I don't hold mine any longer than 4 days. I make sure they are in the bator by day 5.