Don't think I Will Buy Shipped Eggs Again

[Mandymooligan]

Quote:
I also am trying to look as close to home as possible.

 

[Arielle]

WHen I started incubating, I started with my own eggs to start with. I knew how well the birds were eating and I saw the 3 roosters on the job. That's 3 roosters in the flock of 23 hens. ANd I had a turkey hen--she and the tom were new and not comfortable in their new home. So I only had a short time to collect fertile eggs. I was happy with a 50% hatch rate MY FIRST TIME. Next time not so good, eggs from the turkey hen were old 14-21 day s old, and Irene knocked out power. I learned a few things.

THen I bought 11 Ameraucana eggs an hours drive away; these I knew were less than 8 days old: the result was 3 live chicks. THe disapointment of such a low hatch rate was very disappointing. Again I learned a few more things.

At this rate I figured I could emotionally handle a zero hatch rate from shipped eggs. I wanted unrelated marans as there are so few lines in the US. It was the only way to keep a strong flock. So I have a few in the incubator . . . will know in about 3 weeks.

My point is , yes, it can be very disappointing. Hatching chicks is very exciting and full of hope. And disappointing when the hatch fails. Try to learn from each experience and you will increase your hatch rate.

Good luck next time.

 

[Mandymooligan]

Quote:
I hatch my own with a very good rate thankfully, but my number one lesson I have learned from experience is to try to buy as local as possible.

 

[TedJan92_in_Idaho]

I think it is cheaper to just buy a dozen chicks in the long run. Many here sell them and other than shipping there isn't that much of a price difference. I ordered some Lavender eggs and had a decent hatch rate but most of the chicks were some other breed so I scrapped them.

 

[Arielle]

For me I cannot buy marans at a local feed store. I must buy from a breeder. ANd that is true of many breeds of poultry. ALso to buy 25 of say buckeye from a breeder, that about $200. 25 chicks from a hatchery is about $75. Only a few hatcheries allow the purchase of less than 25. SO some people choose to hatch eggs.

It's a great learning experience and sometimes good stock is not nearby. If you can find what you want locally, by all means, do buy local. My point earlier was that buying local does not guarentee a good hatch. Many factors contribute to a good hatch. SHipped or not shipped is only ONE factor.

Hatch on!

 

[Wayne&Kim1963]

I learned from hatching shipped eggs. Sometimes you get some the post office is so rough with none will hatch. Sometimes you get some you get good hatch. When you buy eggs shipped 1 state from you hatches best. Weather plays a roll. If it is too hot then eggs will get too hot in route. If it is too cold outside then eggs will get too cold and not hatch. I always let them sit in egg turner 24 hours before I set them and it does help them hatch.

 

[CarolJ]

As others have said, it is a gamble. I've had great success with shipped eggs, and I had one batch with 0% developed/hatched. Right now I have four different sets of shipped eggs in the bator - hatch due next week. There are some developing from all the sets. From the looks of things right now, I'd say I'll have about a 40% success rate. Not wonderful but also not too bad for shipped eggs. I'll most likely get some chicks from each set of eggs.

I would mark that shipper off your list but maybe try some others - especially if they have had good success with the eggs they've shipped before. Good luck!

 

[stickers]

Day old chicks are the way to go. Most breeders will ship less than 25 chicks. Just watch for auctions right here on BYC, you can get some really good deals. I only buy eggs if no chicks are available and always check feedback.

 

[chickened]

When I buy eggs I try to buy from people that live in warmer areas when it is cold as I believe freezing temps kills more eggs than anything. My hatch rate is consistently higher when I practice this.

If the eggs are weeping in the incy they are old. Not everyone that collects eggs does it right (upside down when they arrive

).

Buying chicks has problems as you are introducing diseases unknowingly that are not transmitted vertically.

 

[Poultrybonkers]

I prolly wont ever buy eggs again either i paid 23$ for 6 they gave me 9 eggs only 3 hatched its cheaper to buy the chicks!!