how many days

[mobe_45]

My birds are laying quite well now.
Figuring on 55-60 degree storage temp, What would the maximum days of eggs would you collect to hatch all at once?
What should the ideal humidity be in the storage cooler for best hatch?
At what number of stored days does the hatch rate drop significantly?

[NH/Pete]

http://www.thatquailplace.com/smf/index.php?topic=3111.msg14692#msg14692
See if this helps

[mobe_45]

Thanks.
Odd that an egg stored longer takes longer to hatch.

[wildergamebirds]

  If you can turn the eggs, they will keep longer, and hatch close to the same time.  I seem to remember reading that 60% was optimum.  I'm sure anything less than about 45% would hinder hatchability of the older eggs. 

  If I wanted one big hatch, and didn't want to buy any eggs, I would collect, and store them at 55F and 60% humidity, turning 3 times per day (preferably with an automatic turner).  I would collect them for four weeks, or until I had a full load, if I had only one incubator.   I would expect the eggs stored from 21-28 days to hatch at a rate around 30%-40%.  I would never sell eggs more than two weeks old as hatchable, and would be very specific, about problems due to storage.

  For expensive, or rare breeds, I would not store more than about a week, and just deal with the pain of staggered hatches.   

  If you want near maximum percentages, set every two weeks.  However, this will drive you crazy.

[mobe_45]

I set every two weeks this summer. Too much remembering for an old guy.