Follow these instructions to store fertile eggs you plan to hatch in your incubator and you will have a successful hatch. Includes instructions you will need to correctly select and store fertile eggs before you incubate them, the right temperature to maintain, keeping the humidity correct, when to turn eggs, why you need to wash your hands often during the process, and handle the eggs with extra care (1). See details below.
Appearance of eggs you do want to store:
Have a good shape
Are not soiled or dirty
Are of a normal size
"Do not incubate eggs that are cracked, misshapen, soiled, or unusually small or large. These rarely hatch and can potentially contaminate the good eggs. Do not wash or wipe eggs with a damp cloth. Doing so can remove the egg’s protective layer and allow disease and bacteria to enter. It can also spread bacteria from one dirty egg to others. You can gently buff soiled eggs with fine sand paper but this can also damage the egg’s protective coating. It is best to avoid incubating soiled eggs" (1).
Wash your hands before handling eggs and again after washing eggs. After selecting which eggs you want to incubate you need to be very careful while handling them and be sure to wash your hands to prevent spreading bacteria which can contaminate the eggs (1).
Have a good shape
Are not soiled or dirty
Are of a normal size
"Do not incubate eggs that are cracked, misshapen, soiled, or unusually small or large. These rarely hatch and can potentially contaminate the good eggs. Do not wash or wipe eggs with a damp cloth. Doing so can remove the egg’s protective layer and allow disease and bacteria to enter. It can also spread bacteria from one dirty egg to others. You can gently buff soiled eggs with fine sand paper but this can also damage the egg’s protective coating. It is best to avoid incubating soiled eggs" (1).
Wash your hands before handling eggs and again after washing eggs. After selecting which eggs you want to incubate you need to be very careful while handling them and be sure to wash your hands to prevent spreading bacteria which can contaminate the eggs (1).
How long You Can Store Eggs Before Putting them in the incubator for hatching
You should set eggs as soon as possible after the hen lays them. Eggs hatch better if you store them for at least three days and no more than 7-10 days prior to incubating them.
Do not set fresh eggs and stored eggs together.
"Hatchability decreases rapidly when eggs are stored for more than 10 days. After 7 days, hatchability decreases 0.5 to 1.5 percent per day. Each day in storage adds one hour to the incubation time" (1). Scroll down to see fertile egg storage temperatures and more.
Do not set fresh eggs and stored eggs together.
"Hatchability decreases rapidly when eggs are stored for more than 10 days. After 7 days, hatchability decreases 0.5 to 1.5 percent per day. Each day in storage adds one hour to the incubation time" (1). Scroll down to see fertile egg storage temperatures and more.
Fertile Egg Storage Temperatures
To have a successful hatch rate fertile eggs should be stored at temperatures between 55 and 65°F.
Do not let temperatures go above 72°F, because the embryos will develop abnormally, weaken, and die.
Do not let temperatures go below 46°F as the embryos will die.
Do not store fertile eggs for incubation at room temperature because it is usually too warm.
Do not store eggs in a refrigerator unless you have already adjusted it to the correct temperature.
"Fertile eggs should be stored at 70 to 80 percent relative humidity. High humidity can cause condensation to form on the eggshell. This can clog the pores on the eggshell and cause contamination the same way washing does. Clogging the pores can also suffocate the embryo. Low humidity during storage can make the egg lose internal moisture and kill the embryo. To increase the humidity, place a pan of water in the storage room. It is the surface area of the water influences humidity, not the depth of the water. Avoid drafts; these can dry the eggs out even when humidity is within the appropriate range" (1).
Do not let temperatures go above 72°F, because the embryos will develop abnormally, weaken, and die.
Do not let temperatures go below 46°F as the embryos will die.
Do not store fertile eggs for incubation at room temperature because it is usually too warm.
Do not store eggs in a refrigerator unless you have already adjusted it to the correct temperature.
"Fertile eggs should be stored at 70 to 80 percent relative humidity. High humidity can cause condensation to form on the eggshell. This can clog the pores on the eggshell and cause contamination the same way washing does. Clogging the pores can also suffocate the embryo. Low humidity during storage can make the egg lose internal moisture and kill the embryo. To increase the humidity, place a pan of water in the storage room. It is the surface area of the water influences humidity, not the depth of the water. Avoid drafts; these can dry the eggs out even when humidity is within the appropriate range" (1).
How to Position & Turn Fertile Eggs During Storage
When storing fertile eggs for hatching less than 10 days before incubation you should:
Place them on flats
Make sure the large end is pointing up
Do not turn eggs if they will be incubated within 7 days.
Cover the fertile eggs with a loose material to keep them clean.
"If you plan to store eggs for less than ten days before incubating, place them on flats with the large end up. You do not need to turn the eggs if they will be incubated within a week of being laid. You should cover the eggs with a loose material to keep them clean. If you plan to store eggs for more than 10 days, tilt them from side to side over a 90-degree angle once or twice daily. You can do this by placing a six-inch block under one end of the flat, switching the end of the flat each day until incubation" (1).
Place them on flats
Make sure the large end is pointing up
Do not turn eggs if they will be incubated within 7 days.
Cover the fertile eggs with a loose material to keep them clean.
"If you plan to store eggs for less than ten days before incubating, place them on flats with the large end up. You do not need to turn the eggs if they will be incubated within a week of being laid. You should cover the eggs with a loose material to keep them clean. If you plan to store eggs for more than 10 days, tilt them from side to side over a 90-degree angle once or twice daily. You can do this by placing a six-inch block under one end of the flat, switching the end of the flat each day until incubation" (1).
References:
1. Gregory S. Archer and A. Lee Cartwright.Incubating Eggs. Retrieved on Aug. 23, 2017 fromhttp://aglifesciences.tamu.edu/posc/wp-content/uploads/sites/20/2012/08/EPS-001-Incubating-and-Hatching-Eggs1.pdf
1. Gregory S. Archer and A. Lee Cartwright.Incubating Eggs. Retrieved on Aug. 23, 2017 fromhttp://aglifesciences.tamu.edu/posc/wp-content/uploads/sites/20/2012/08/EPS-001-Incubating-and-Hatching-Eggs1.pdf
