Egg Storage Before Incubation

[citypickle]

I have a GQF Sportsman incubator and iv ordered 500 quail eggs,the hatch tray will only hold 250 eggs.  Can I leave the other 250 eggs at room temp for 3-4 days before incubation. Will it effect the % of hatch? What is the best way to keep them for several days.  Don't want to buy a hatcher just yet.

[hunter3015]

i also have a sportsman an i just use the top turning rack as a hatcher also, if you take one of the other trays an sit it on top of it so the quail can't jump out  its just the same as haveing to hatching trays or if you have some extra wire just fix you another top for one or two of the hatching trays, that way you have serveral trays.

Reason I would do this is because the hatch rate drops after 7 days or so i hear.  You never know for sure how old the eggs are when you get them.  When i receive eggs threw thought the mail i let them sit for about 10 to 12 hours to get up to room temp before I put them in the incubator.

But if you must store them for a few days i like to find a back porch something around 55 to 60f with a humidity of about 50% or so an turn them several times aday.  I try to put eggs in my incubator once a week.

hope this helps but i not an expert still learning myself.  But I trying to help if i can..

[bobhunter]

If excessive water loss in the eggs occurs during storage, there may be a reduction in hatchability. Storing eggs where relative humidity is near 70% is what is usually recommended, although this may not be possible for everyone here to do.  If stored for just a few days at something less, you're likely to be okay.

[Pheasant Hollow Farm]

I have a GQF Sportsman incubator and iv ordered 500 quail eggs,the hatch tray will only hold 250 eggs.  Can I leave the other 250 eggs at room temp for 3-4 days before incubation. Will it effect the % of hatch? What is the best way to keep them for several days.  Don't want to buy a hatcher just yet.

Start reading here: http://www.thatquailplace.com/smf/index.php?topic=3112.0

It is the second one down from the top of this forum started by Reeves.

Steve
Pheasant Hollow Farm

[citypickle]

Yes sir I have been reading forum for 6 weeks. Very informitive site, just trying to get an idea of how to hatch all 500 with out buying a seprate hatcher. I raised chukers 10 years ago on a small scale.
  Thanks Charles