There are many reasons why I am stopping. The main reason though is that my birds are my pets, first and foremost. I found that while I was hatching a gazillion chicks for people, I tended to not enjoy my birds as much. There is a lot of stress for a small breeder when hatching a LOT of orders for chicks and it just wasn't worth it for me. Most people have been great - but there are a few that there is absolutely NO way to please. I just don't want to deal with that anymore - I want to work on my birds and enjoy them. I am a member of the UOC and will, however, hatch chicks for those breeders that are interested in furthering the breed.
Also, as far as hatching eggs, I just really dislike selling hatching eggs because of the hatch rates. I agree with Katy that I think the biggest reason hatch rates are so low is due to the handling they receive from the PO. I always feel responsible even when I know that I can't be responsible for them once they leave my hands. I know my eggs are fertile because nearly everything I set at home hatches. Just recently I sent a dozen eggs to three different locations; Louisiana, Kansas, and Missouri. Out of the eggs sent to Louisiana, 8 out of 12 hatched; out of the eggs sent to Kansas, 3 out of 12 hatched, and out of the eggs sent to Missouri she had a hatch of 0/12. So one has to wonder about that kind of discrepancy in hatch rates from eggs from the same birds.
Also, as far as hatching eggs, I just really dislike selling hatching eggs because of the hatch rates. I agree with Katy that I think the biggest reason hatch rates are so low is due to the handling they receive from the PO. I always feel responsible even when I know that I can't be responsible for them once they leave my hands. I know my eggs are fertile because nearly everything I set at home hatches. Just recently I sent a dozen eggs to three different locations; Louisiana, Kansas, and Missouri. Out of the eggs sent to Louisiana, 8 out of 12 hatched; out of the eggs sent to Kansas, 3 out of 12 hatched, and out of the eggs sent to Missouri she had a hatch of 0/12. So one has to wonder about that kind of discrepancy in hatch rates from eggs from the same birds.
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