Checking interest in auction eggs :)

[GracefulBantams]

I suppose I am thinking out loud here, but I just came up with an idea, and would love to get some input......
About 10 miles from where I live, there is a rather large poultry auction twice a month (on the first and third Tuesday). They almost always have a great selection of hatching eggs with some being from the more 'professional' show stock. My idea is to purchase a dozen or two (if available) of the nicer/rarer breeds each auction in the spring and list them here on the BYC. I was thinking maybe $20-$25 dollars a dozen to cover my cost, time, materials, and the shipping. Of course, if some didn't sell within a day or two, I would be prepared to hatch them myself and sell them locally (...okay... I might keep a few anyway

)
I kept myself rather busy last spring selling/shipping eggs from my own birds, so I do know what all is involved for that aspect of it.
Any ideas or input?

 

[hinkjc]

My concern would be that you being the "middle person" would not be able to assure a buyer the eggs are fresh or fertile.

 

[pips&peeps]

How would you know how old the eggs are, and by the time you sold them and got them to someone would they be hatchable?

 

[vicki2x2]

How about this idea? Purchase the eggs, if you can get them at a reasonable price, hatch them, then sell the day old chicks. Try to line up customers for certain breeds ahead of time, then you will know what people want.

 

[Three Cedars Silkies]

As long as they are under 5 days old and you can get them out within a day or so, I think it would be fine.

This is my personal opinion...too much is made about "fresh" eggs. I've done all the research and I know that hatchability begins to decrease after about 7 days so by day 10 it may have dropped by 20%. This is for eggs that are kept at "cool" room temp. If you are storing longer than 5 days, they should be at about 42-45 degrees which is refrigerator temp.

For the eggs that I hatch for myself, I keep them in the fridge for up to 14 days until I get the amount I want to set. From this I've had hatches of 95-100%. They aren't shipped eggs, so you do have to add in that variable which could decrease hatchability by another 25%...maybe even more.

I tell you what...if you find bantam cochin eggs of show quality...let me know. I'd give them a try for sure!!

 

[GracefulBantams]

Thanks for all the replies

Quote:
True, but anyone who buys eggs from any auction would not have that assurance...


Quote:
I will keep you in mind

And, thank you for the other information.

 

[sara]

It's a nice idea, but without seeing pictures of the adult birds I kind of doubt anyone would invest 25.00 in the eggs.

 

[Three Cedars Silkies]

Nice website, gracefulbantams!

I think the OP probably knows a thing or two about show quality bantams and probably knows the folks and their birds that are bringing the hatching eggs. I'd trust them.