Hatching chicks for pay

[Whitehouse Quail]

Make sure to make it known you are NOT responsible if they don't hatch. Bad fertility could be the cause.

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

I plan on hatching for a flat rate of 20.00. No guarentee on the hatch. Have to run your electric bill up weather or not they hatch. I will brood them for one day with electrolites in water and teach them to drink as well for that price.

Oh and I will also be candling twice during incubation.

 

[Bassleg]

Thanks everyone for the info.

 

[muddstopper]

I did the math a month or two ago on electrical usage with a cabinet incubator. We used a killowatt meter and kept it hooked the entire 21day period. With our electrical rates we figured the total electrical cost to be around $5 per hatch. Without going back and looking at the numbers, I dont remember how much electricity was used or my cost perkw of electricity. With a 298egg incubator this comes out to about $0.016 per egg.

Your incubator size and electricity cost could make these cost vary somewhat, but even with a LG, you could probably figure 2cents+/- per egg for the electricity if the incubator is filled to capacity.

 

[LilRalphieRoosmama]

I'd charge $1/egg set - not how many hatch. Whether they hatch or not is often beyond your control and they are still using the same amount of electricity as the ones that do hatch. I also set a time limit for pickup - usually 24-48 hours after the hatch is complete and I notify them that they are ready. If they don't pick up after 48 hours, I charge per chick/per day. That gets them moving! You lose money for every day that you are caring for them and the heat lamp is running. A flat amount is good if there's not alot of eggs (say only a dozen or two).

 

[Slywoody]

40 years ago, a guy i knew would hatch my eggs for 10 cents apiece. That was whether they hatched or not. He had a big ol' Leahy Favorite redwood incubator in his basement. Seems like it was always full.

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

If they don't pick up after 48 hours, I charge per chick/per day.

Never thought of this...just always thought people would be excited and waiting to pick them up!~ LOL Thanks for mentioning that.​

 

[Cowgirlgrace]

It's not just electricity, it's your time spent turning, candling, monitering etc. And you've spent money on the equipment and time educating yourself. I would charge at least $1.00 per egg.