Storing eggs question...

[mhaddon]

I have them in an egg container on the counter marked. We have three marked and in the coop to see if anyone will sit on them. Should I store the egg container in the garage on the work bench so they are cooler? It is getting warm in our house during the day (around 76 degrees).

Also the ones in the coop did not appear to be turned at all this morning. Should I leave them out a few more days and just throw them in the bator in a few days if no one messes with them?

Thanks! This is our first time hatching from our own eggs and the kids are excited

 

[aoxa]

Store hatching eggs in your basement. You could in your garage as long as it isn't too cold in there. 55-65 degrees is recommended, though I have often left them on the counter like you and still had good hatch rates.

 

[mhaddon]

Ok thanks, I only have a cellar area. But it is easy to access (storm shelter too). I don't have a full, finished basement.

 

[aoxa]

Ok thanks, I only have a cellar area. But it is easy to access (storm shelter too). I don't have a full, finished basement.

 

You could still store eggs in an unfinished basement. I don't agree with #4 & 5, but you get the drift.

Egg Care and Storage

Many times a producer carefully attends to the incubation process but disregards the care
of the eggs before they are placed in the incubator. Even before incubation starts the
embryo is developing and needs proper care. Hatching eggs suffer from reduced
hatchability if the eggs are not cared for properly. Listed below are tips to help maintain
hatching egg quality.

1. Collect eggs at least three times daily. When daily high temperatures exceed 85
degrees F. increase egg collection to five times daily. Collect two or three times in
the morning and one or two times in the afternoon.

2. Slightly soiled eggs can be used for hatching purposes without causing hatching
problems, but dirty eggs should not be saved. Do not wash dirty eggs.

3. Store eggs in a cool-humid storage area. Ideal storage conditions include a 55 degree
F. temperature and 75% relative humidity. Store the eggs with the small end
pointed downward.

4. Alter egg position periodically if not incubating within 4-6 days. Turn the eggs to a
new position once daily until placing in the incubator.

5. Hatchability holds reasonably well up to seven days, but declines rapidly afterward.
Therefore, do not store eggs more than 7 days before incubating. After 3 weeks of
storage, hatchability drops to almost zero. Plan ahead and have a regular hatching
schedule to avoid storage problems and reduced hatches.

6. Allow cool eggs to warm slowly to room temperature before placing in the
incubator. Abrupt warming from 55 degrees to 100 degrees causes moisture
condensation on the egg shell that leads to disease and reduced hatches.

 

[browning6]

I realize most of this info is old hat to almost all that are posting but to us newbies it is golden information.
Thanks to all on BYC that make raising chickens fun and something to look forward to.

This article is fantastic.