Shipped Eggs Incubation Question

[Sicilianu]

Hello everyone!

I am expecting Ebay-bought chicken hatching eggs next week. This is the first time I have hatched my own eggs and I have been doing a lot of reading! Excited but nervous as well.

One thing I haven't found much info about- I am getting eggs shipped from a few different sellers. I asked them to all ship on April 13th but arrival days may vary (hopefully not by too much). I have seen that a lot of people have shipped eggs sit room temperature 12-48 hours before hatching.

What would be everyone's recommendation for the case where different eggs arrive 2 or 3 days apart? Can the earlier arriving eggs sit that long without really compromising ability to hatch.

As a side topic I am in New Jersey and if all goes well I will have lots of extra chicks available. Please message me if you are in the area and are interested in some. The breeds/varieties I am planning on hatching are Spangled Orloff, Salmon Faverolles, Opal Legbar, Blue/Black/Splash Birchen Marans, Icelandic
and either [Ayam Cemani x Rhode Island Red] or [Ayam Cemani x Easter Egger] F1 crosses (still talking with the sellers).

I am planning on making a Hatchalong thread as well. I will post the link on here once I get all the eggs and start the thread!

 

[Vantic]

Ideal storage conditions 55 degrees F. temperature and 75% relative humidity. Store the eggs with the small end pointed downward. Alter egg position periodically if not incubating within 4-6 days.

 

[Sicilianu]

Ideal storage conditions 55 degrees F. temperature and 75% relative humidity. Store the eggs with the small end pointed downward. Alter egg position periodically if not incubating within 4-6 days.

Thank you for the info! How do you maintain the temperature and humidity? My house is usually 67-70 degrees and no idea about humidity but I'm sure it's much less than 75%. My unheated basement is cooler of course but not sure how low the temperature is there.

 

[Vantic]

I usually store them in my unheated basement (60 degrees). Make sure to rotate them an odd number of times a day (this makes sure the same side isn't "up" all night). If they are in an egg carton, tilt the carton by putting one side on a stack of books (35-45 degree angle). Each rotation is changing which end of the carton is on the books. Should be fine, more damage will come from shipping than from this storage.

 

[hd_darcy]

Curious how your hatch turned out? I am looking to purchase a couple of sets too. How long are the eggs okay to sit before they are put in the incubator?

 

[Knighstar679]

Curious how your hatch turned out? I am looking to purchase a couple of sets too. How long are the eggs okay to sit before they are put in the incubator?

If you store them in the right conditions they can be good up to 7-10 days with out any major drops in fertility other than that from shipping. Store in a cool place that has higher humidity with point end down. Rotate the carton an odd number of times day.