Transferring Eggs

[VRDinger]

I am getting some fertilized eggs from a co-worker to put under a broody hen (no longer have a rooster) and I am wondering how long they can go once laid before they need to be put under the hen. I requested 4 eggs just to increase the chance of actually having a chick hatch, however, she only has 2 hens laying and so it will take 2 days to get the eggs. Wondering if the eggs from the first day will still be ok or if I should just have her bring them on separate days.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

7 days is the general length before fertility is lost

 

[K0k0shka]

7 days is the general length before fertility is lost

And even then, it's not lost completely and right away. It just starts to decline over time. The fresher the eggs, the higher the chances, but you can still incubate and hatch older eggs, it just won't be as successful as fresh eggs.

 

[3KillerBs]

When I was collecting eggs for my hatch I was told to turn them gently each day while they were in storage.

 

[Allsfairinloveandbugs]

In nature a female bird lays a clutch of eggs, one egg each day or so, but doesn't begin incubating them until the entire clutch is laid. That is so all the eggs will hatch approximately the same time. The same rule applies to chickens. The main thing is that the hatching eggs are stored properly until ready for incubation. Pointy side down, & kept in a cool (but not cold) place until ready for incubation.

As the responders above said, you can easily wait more than 2 days if you want to give your broody more eggs to hatch.