Which stands the greatest rate of fertility?

[Fluster Cluck Acres]

I’m planning to start my eggs in the incubator 2/25 (scheduled for work reasons- not a lot of flexibility). This is my first fully incubated hatch. I was originally going to hatch mostly my own eggs plus get a few purebred eggs from some local folks.

But… My only roo left for new ladies on 2/11 (5 days ago). I realize the ladies will continue laying fertile eggs for a little while, but I don’t know how long.

Should I collect eggs sooner and risk storing them longer? Or should I collect as planned closer to incubation date and risk the hens no longer laying fertile eggs? What would you do?

Pic is my lavender orp, Willow, just because I’m an oversharer.

 

[sourland]

Start collecting eggs now. Think how long it takes a hen to build a clutch - far longer than the ten day recommended holding period for eggs. If you start collecting now, they will only be 9 days old by the time you plan to start incubating. Fertility should still be good if the rooster was in good health up to 14 days after his removal.