Well, I always keep food and water very close by the hens, and also offer them wheat bread, mixed veggies, fruit, scrambled eggs,wheat germ, etc. as treats...Well, it's worth a try, as this is the third time I have ordered these eggs, from Oregon all the way to SW Florida...The other two times I used an incubator...Mine hatched OK, but out of both hatches, I only ended up with two chicks of the ones I bought...Thanks for your reply...Tricia