Days before incubating?

[Airyaman]

Most online advice has been less than 7 days, but I've seen some people claim up to 10 and others claiming to go 14 days with very little change in hatch rate. What has been the experience of those on BYC?

I ask because two of my hatching eggs deliveries have been stuck in USPS limbo for 7 days already (and yes, both are the infamous "priority" mail). One is expected tomorrow (should have delivered last Friday), and the other will likely be a total loss because it has been sitting in ATL GA facility since 2/27. I say total loss because I can't even file anything with USPS until 3/05! So, assuming the eggs are not scrambled and the air cells are not detached, will 10-12 days adversely affect my hatch rate in the experience of others? Of course, this ignores whatever temperature ranges they've been exposed to...

Thanks!

 

[sourland]

I have held eggs as long as 21 days and had good hatch rates. Of course this was in a controlled temp. and humidity environment. Good luck for a successful hatch.

 

[Airyaman]

I have held eggs as long as 21 days and had good hatch rates. Of course this was in a controlled temp. and humidity environment. Good luck for a successful hatch.

Just curious, what temp did you store them at? I keep my house at 68F in the winter and colder months, and I've been keeping the eggs for at least 24 hours (after delivery) in a bathroom sitting over a bowl of water with the HVAC vent closed off (probably a few degrees colder than 68). Thanks!

 

[sourland]

Just curious, what temp did you store them at?

65 to 75 F with a humidity level around 50%. Eggs turned daily. I had one incubator and would set/sanitize/reset. So actual holding time went beyond 21 days in some instances. Just think about how long it takes a hen to create a clutch of eggs and the high % hatches they generally have.