Experienced Trader Joe hatchers

[Coop de Grille]

I bought "Farm House" brand free range, cage free brown eggs today at the supermarket. It says they come from Cal-Maine Inc. I called them and they said their hens are not exposed to Roosters. The closest Trader Joe's is 3 hours from me

 

[debs_flock]

Here are the first four TJ chicks, with two EE friends.


Five and six are still a bit wet.


Deb

 

[FLITZ]

I called three trader joes near me they all said that they don't sell fertile eggs...oh well

 

[debs_flock]

From what I've read, it's hit or miss. Some of them carry them and some don't. I haven't tried the Whole Foods store yet. I understand the one near me carries brown fertile eggs. My TJ only carries white.

Deb

 

[stone_family3]

I've seen that the whole foods near us sells duck eggs, quail eggs, etc. I'm wondering if I call the farms they're from if they would be fertile

Your chicks look beautiful.

 

[debs_flock]

Your chicks look beautiful.

Thank you!

I was ready for fresh fuzzy babies. The last batch got kicked out of the garage yesterday.

Deb

 

[SherrieT]

I tried a dozen of the Whole Foods "fertile eggs". Not one of them even started.
I got 4 adorable chicks out of a dozen Trader Joe's fertile eggs

From what I've read, it's hit or miss. Some of them carry them and some don't. I haven't tried the Whole Foods store yet. I understand the one near me carries brown fertile eggs. My TJ only carries white.

Deb

 

[CALI CHICK]

I was "asking questions" the last time I went to the health-food store becasue I would like to incubate a dozen "fertile eggs". The dairy guy was very helpful... This is some of the knowledge I left the store with...
-Some of the "fertile" eggs come from big farms and might be delivered only once every 2 weeks. So, b/n laying, collecting, shipment, delivering and actually stocking on the shelf you might have a month old egg.
-Try to find a store (or brand) that buys eggs from a small, local source. Then, you can find out exactly when they were collected and delivered. Usually on a once a week basis. And you might even be able to pick up fresher eggs on your own at the same price?

Maybe everyone allready figured this out, but I found it helpful.

 

[debs_flock]

The Julian date stamped on the carton gives you the pack date, so in my case they were five days old. It wasn't a matter of finding fertile eggs (my girls lay about a dozen a day), it was just the challenge of hatching grocery store eggs. It was just a whim. I ended up with 6 out of 12. I don't think the other two eggs that were alive at lockdown will do anything. The six chicks I got are very vigorous and healthy.

Deb

 

[SherrieT]

Here are my little Trader Joe chicks