Shipped Eggs

[Doug Hodges]

Ive got 54 eggs coming today and tomorrow. I saw somewhere that I should wait 24 to 36 hrs before setting them. What do those of you that buy shipped eggs do when you receive the eggs and how long do you wait to incubate? Thanks

 

[Fred's Hens]

Yup, that's the consensus. Leave them upright, pointed end down, for 24-36 hours in a cool, dark place.

Most folks also got ahead and set them in that same upright position, using an egg carton, oft times.

Sally Sunshine has a lot of great info here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/hatching-eggs-101

 

[Doug Hodges]

Yup, that's the consensus. Leave them upright, pointed end down, for 24-36 hours in a cool, dark place.

Most folks also got ahead and set them in that same upright position, using an egg carton, oft times.

Sally Sunshine has a lot of great info here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/hatching-eggs-101

Thats where I got my 24-36 hour information to start with. Lots of good information there. Should I just consider it gospel?

 

[Doug Hodges]

So heres what it says.

CONCLUSION ~ Shipped eggs
For rolling, detached or disrupted air cells (cells no longer at fat end of the egg but like a bubble level on the long side, rolling or saddle shaped cells), you’ll need to change your hatch plan. They need to sit 24 hours NO TURNING, pointy end down in a Styrofoam Egg Carton with the bottoms cut out for ventilation to possibly reattach air cells. Allow eggs to sit in a moderately cool, somewhat humid place for 12-24 hours before you begin to incubate them. Basements are great. Moderately cool means 65-75 degrees with the fat end UP. After settle period SET Shipped eggs in the incubator in the carton with bottoms cut out as pictured below, do not turn for 36-48 hours to help air cell re-attach. I personally have found that any shipped egg that survives to day 18 lockdown has an awkward but re-attached air cell so I lay my eggs down for hatch. Please refer to day 18 lockdown for more information on why laying eggs for hatching after day 18 is the best way to go. After 36-48 hours begin turning or hand turn by laying the eggs side to side 3 times a day, as in the image below. REMINDER~ Never Set COLD eggs in the incubator.

Does this mean that I shouldnt set my eggs in the turner for the first 36 to 48 hours? Instead I should keep them in the carton?​

 

[Sally Sunshine]

you can place in turner air cell up/big end up, just don't turn the turner on until the wait period is over

 

[Doug Hodges]

Well Duh!!! That makes sense. I forgot it was a different power supply.

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Well Duh!!! That makes sense. I forgot it was a different power supply.

I don't have turners, but am wishing I had them now as I am getting so forgetful to turning times! I need to set my cell alarms again!

 

[Doug Hodges]

Well I have 4 incubators going with eggs from Papa Brooder, Ekfarms, ?!?!?!? and some of my own. I have hatch dates from 11th to the 21st. I cant wait. I will candle saturday on all the shipped eggs.

 

[Doug Hodges]

Well I have over 90% growing chicks from Kylie at ekfarms. Ordered 24 eggs. She shipped 27. 22 are growing. I will buy from her again. She said she checked her Roos for fertility.

I'm 50% on another order from someone else but he said he would make up to me after I candled because he sent eggs he wasn't sure about because I needed them at a certain time. Very up front. Much appreciated. Papa Brooder

And the last one I'm at 7%. Only one fertile egg out of 14. They didn't appear to be scrambled. They appeared to not be fertile. Guess I lost big time on those. Name withheld on this one.