Cost of Fertile Eggs from Popular Hatchery SUPER high?

[IndianaHomestea]

Why on earth would anyone want to pay MORE for a fertile egg, than they would pay for a chick that has already hatched? http://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/special_assorted_chicken_eggs.html

I'm considering incubating and hatching my own eggs and will likely just use the fertile eggs from my hens, but I wanted to look into the pricing anyway, just for the info and was shocked that they're so much. Am I missing something?

 

[tec27]

Why on earth would anyone want to pay MORE for a fertile egg, than they would pay for a chick that has already hatched? http://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/special_assorted_chicken_eggs.html

I'm considering incubating and hatching my own eggs and will likely just use the fertile eggs from my hens, but I wanted to look into the pricing anyway, just for the info and was shocked that they're so much. Am I missing something?

For me its enjoyment of hatching the little guys and raising them till adulthood and having them till death. With shipped chicks, yes they are yours, but you didnt hatch them. Just something special lost. Plus shipped chicks can arrive dead and sick which is just a mess and more work.

 

[IndianaHomestea]

I understand that, but why would you pay $4.50 for an egg? Why not just hatch the eggs your hens lay (assuming you also have a rooster)

 

[JanO]

Some people may want a specific breed, or maybe they don't have a rooster, or access to others who do? You have to remember that the hatcheries are in it to make a profit, so they can charge whatever they choose to.

 

[IndianaHomestea]

I understand that. I run a business myself. But prices aren't set just because that's what they want to charge. Prices are set by the market. I'm not seeing why they're so high, but obviously there is a reason. oh well, not a big deal. Just surprising.

 

[veggiecanner]

I bought the eggs I just hatch from a freind, who does not usually sell hatching eggs. half were not fertile. I would hope the hatchery eggs would be fertile, and of good genetics.

 

[tec27]

I understand that, but why would you pay $4.50 for an egg? Why not just hatch the eggs your hens lay (assuming you also have a rooster)

Most people aren't allowed to have roosters where they live. And some people may want purebreds or breeds they dont have. Honestly, i cant understand why anyone would buy chicks.

 

[cmfarm]

It is because they in the business to sell chicks, and not eggs. And because that is what some people will pay for them. They probably don't care if people buy very many.

 

[chiqita]

You can eggs from breeders that do not sell chicks. If you want high quality chickens of a particular breed, eggs are often your only choice. With all the money you spend on a chicken in its lifetime, the cost of the chicken is not a big part of it.