Advice/opinions on how to get the best hatch rate on shipped eggs.

[jeslewmazer]

I know that getting shipped hatching eggs is a big risk, but I have not found any local breeders. I have mostly hatchery birds and now want to try birds from individual breeders. I have done a good bit of research and read many post on BYC and other sites. After receiving the eggs I have read to let them rest for 12-24 hours. A good hatch rate would be about 45%....right? I have already set my first batch (01/01/11) and I'm looking at 29-30% hatch rate as of today. I don't have a broody right now so I am currently using the method of incubation taught me from as far back as I can remember. Laying the eggs flat with a big X on one side and a big O on the other, and turning them 3 times a day. I have recently come across the egg carton method. I have read that cutting the tops and bottoms out for best result from some, and to tilt the eggs from side to side 3 times a day. I just don't know which method would be better with shipped eggs.

Which method would be better with shipped eggs....laying flat...or...egg carton?
If egg carton......what type of egg carton?.....paper, plastic, or foam?
Should I use the egg carton through the entire incubation?.....or up until lockdown?....or only during lockdown?

Any help/advice/opinions are welcome.

 

[Surehatch]

getting eggs locally is less risky

 

[deerman]

letting the egg rest , with large end up...so air cell can return to the large end of egg.

depend if you use a still air incubator , then best layed flat . the egg carton being used and tilted only works on forced air incubator(with fan) Reason temp, different at all levels, closer to heating unit warmer, father away cooler

 

[Baralak]

Howdy Neighbor!!!!

Well the best that I can tell you is that first of all get shipped eggs from a person that has a REALLY good feedback rateing. Second of all, when you receive your eggs, place them in a carton small side down for about 24 hours. This will help settle down the air sac and make sure it is at room temp. Set up your bator the day before you get your eggs, and give it time to settle, making sure that your bator is in a draft free area away from fans or vents. Though some will have higher and lower hatch rates, only expect a 50% hatch rate, but that can be much higher if you treat your eggs correctly.

In an incubator that doesn't have a turner I always lay them flat with X's and O's as you discribed. My brinsea Octagon 20 has rails but I don't use them unless I'm loading it up. I still manually turn my eggs... My last 2 hatches from last year was 50%, and 100 %. The 50% were seramas so I don't really count that in my hatches due to the troubles of hatching seramas.

 

[jeslewmazer]

Thanks All!!

Surehatch I take it back that I don't know anybody locally that has hatching eggs, but this person is my uncle and he only has Game and hatchery chickens. I am kind of looking for no-hatchery chickens and frankly the shortest trip I have found was a 6+ hour drive one way. A 12hour drive is just to much. I do wish there was someone closer.

deerman That is good to know seeing as my fan just quit working and a replacement is $30 or more. I think I will let them lay flat.

Baralak Howdy Neighbor!! I have found about a hand full of people on here from MS, but I seem to closer in distance with some of the LA people.

Got some family there too. I don't have a turner either because the motors were bad....hand me downs

I always have great hatches from my backyard flock by leaving them flat.


A few more questions.........Should I pick the eggs up at the PO or just let them bring them to me? Which would be better? I don't live far from the PO, but with this batch that I received on new years eve...tracking number said they arrived at about 8am and they arrived at my house around 10am. Does this two hours make a difference?

 

[saladin]

With only a 2 hours difference I'd let the postal worker bring them to me.

The advice you've been given is good and sound in my opinion.

The only thing I would add: (and this is if it were me)

If I had a choice between buying hatching eggs say $75 a dozen for Asil (what I breed)
or getting a pair shipped to me for $150, then I'd go for the shipped pair.

 

[FireTigeris]

I found the nearest supply of shipped eggs to me (2 hours) and got them shiped priority. Got a 72% hatch when combined with my eggs 26 set.

 

[midget_farms]

I'm trying this for the first time too - just bought 60 eggs from ebay from 2 different breeders.

They should get here this week.

I tried to find breeders that were close (relatively) to me so the eggs spend less time in transit & don't have to take an airplane. I'm thinking the pressure difference in the cargo hold of a USPS airplane has to effect them some.

I was hoping for better than 50% but will be satisfied if that is what I get. I don't really need 60 chickens anyway!

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

When I get shipped eggs, if the eggs are warm when I unwrap them (getting eggs in the summer) I put them straight into the incubator and dont turn for 3 days. During the winter/cool temps, I let them rest to come to room temp then put them in the incubator, but keep the turner shut off the first 3 days.

 

[FireTigeris]

Quote:
Funny I made that judgement call too for my summer eggs but I only skipped one day turning they had three days transit at 94ish.