An internal-combustion engine needs four things to run. They need fuel, mixed with air, in a ratio of 14.7 to one. An ignition-spark lights the fuel and air mixture, creating combustion. Compression of the fuel and air mixture makes it explosive. The final necessity is proper timing, of the components.
1 The length of time it takes for eggs to hatch after incubation begins depends on the species and temperatures. 2  For bluebirds, it USUALLY takes about 12-14 days from the date the last egg was laid.3  Different species have different incubation periods, which can vary within a species due to temperature inside the nestbox. Depending on when incubation begins (on the last, or next to last egg), eggs in the same nest can hatch a day or several days apart. 2  It also takes a while for the bird to break through the shell. 3  It could be a new egg from a subsequent nesting if you didn't clean the box out immediately after the last fledging.
They can be put in incubator 2 days after set or up to 8 days. The duck egg that was layed yesterday can be but wait a day or 2 for the newer ones. I would wait a while until you have a clutch of eggs that are needed, the eggs will be fine up to 8 days. Source(s): own ducks and chickens.