While I agree that trying to get a start from shipped eggs might be less than ideal, there are just no guarantees and sometimes a huge amount of luck involved no matter how much work and effort you are willing to put in. I started my Dorking Odyssey December 2012 and placed an order for 25...
I think that he means raised on the ground as opposed to wire. Something like this waterfowl brooder tractor we built. The top is enclosed with wire now also.