Shipped eggs arriving a few days apart

[Nikidust]

I have 2 shipments of eggs coming this week, but they won't arrive the same day. I'm not sure when the second lot will arrive because it hasn't shipped yet, but I'm guessing 3 to 5 days after the first shipment.

I've done some digging and found varied advice on how to store the first eggs while awaiting the second batch. One site said to keep them between 50-60 degrees F, point down or on their side, and turn daily. Some advice from a hatching enthusiasts group said just store them on the counter, point down, turn daily. I've also heard about keeping them in the fridge of them be stored longer than a week, however one source said no fridge because it's too cold and dry. Also something about starting and stopping development.

Can someone explain what I should do and why? I would really like to understand the science.

Since the eggs are being shipped, they will already be a few days old when they arrive. This is my first time hatching eggs and I want to do the best I can. I appreciate any advice and wisdom you can share.

Thanks!

 

[Jada22]

I think the most important thing is to keep them at a consistent temperature. If they get warm enough to start developing and then cool down again that is bad for them. I personally wouldn’t keep them in the fridge. I stored my eggs pointy side down in a room with consistent temperature probably closer to 70f but I was only storing them for 24hours. Turning them is important so the Yolk doesn’t stick to one side. Try to find out how old the first lot of eggs will be when they get to you, as they get older they are less likely to develop and you want to try to incubate them a week after being laid (some say up to 2 weeks) it would be better to incubate the first batch a few days earlier and let the second lot go in to lockdown a little early rather than letting the first batch become too old to develop.

 

[Nikidust]

I think the most important thing is to keep them at a consistent temperature. If they get warm enough to start developing and then cool down again that is bad for them. I personally wouldn’t keep them in the fridge. I stored my eggs pointy side down in a room with consistent temperature probably closer to 70f but I was only storing them for 24hours. Turning them is important so the Yolk doesn’t stick to one side. Try to find out how old the first lot of eggs will be when they get to you, as they get older they are less likely to develop and you want to try to incubate them a week after being laid (some say up to 2 weeks) it would be better to incubate the first batch a few days earlier and let the second lot go in to lockdown a little early rather than letting the first batch become too old to develop.

Thank you. I was wondering about whether I should just put the first batch in a couple days ahead of the others. Would it be bad for the second batch to not be turned a couple days longer? Will the higher humidity be problematic? I'll ask the breeder about the age of the eggs and update this thread.

 

[LadiesAndJane]

Read this link. Excellent advice!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/posts/17631705

 

[Jada22]

Thank you. I was wondering about whether I should just put the first batch in a couple days ahead of the others. Would it be bad for the second batch to not be turned a couple days longer? Will the higher humidity be problematic? I'll ask the breeder about the age of the eggs and update this thread.

Turning is most important at the start so extra days at the end not being turned isn’t a big deal. The extra humidity depends on how the air sac looks before incubation. Basically the issue with too much humidity is chances of drowning when they are trying to hatch. I’ve heard a few people setting eggs in the incubator a few days apart. Plus some people go in to lockdown early as sometimes there’s a lot of movement or chicks start pipping before lockdown date. I think 5 days would be a bit too early for them but a day or 2 should be okay. However I am new to hatching so if someone more experienced says I am wrong, listen to them. If the first ones are being sent to you freshly laid then it gives you extra days to wait around anyway.