Hatching Eggs

[jrsqlc]

Quick question!
Why do hatching eggs cost more than day old chicks?
For 1, not ALL of the eggs will hatch!
For 2, they are being shipped from who knows where, and there is no guarantee that there OK!
For 3, Most hatcheries will reimburse you if the day old chicks die during the shipment.


So why not just buy the baby chicks, then hatch your own eggs for FREE???

I love to hatch my own, but now for the prices a lot of the people want on here...or the hatchery price!

 

[ChickBond 007]

You won't find the unique breed or the quality of some rare breeds at the hatchery. Some of the best available are sold as hatching eggs only.

 

[jrsqlc]

I dont believe thqat because I can go down the road in any direction and find other small chicken farmers that will sell me there FRESH eggs for $2 a dozen!
And YES they are rare breeds....and unique breeds of great quality.
In fact 2 folks within 5 miles of me take there roos and hens to columbus to the chicken expo twice a year...and come home with awards or sell the chicks while there!

The only difference i seee between a hatching egg and a FRESH egg is the PRICE!

 

[bethandjoeync]

was starting to wonder the same thing. will be interested in seeing more answers

 

[greenfamilyfarms]

It's true that most hatcheries do charge more for eggs for hatching than for the chicks. I'm not sure, but it probably has to do with the fact that chicks are just easier for them to hatch and ship to you than having to collect the fertile eggs, wrap them up, and ship them to you.

In order to get some quailty fowl, it is necessary to hatch eggs from a private seller.

 

[greenfamilyfarms]

Quote:
That's because they are expecting you to eat them, not hatch them.

 

[cracking up]

You're lucky to live in an area where you can find reasonably priced fertile eggs and chicks. Go for it!

 

[jrsqlc]

So it ok to RAIL someone an extra $10-50 bucks because they are not EATING the egg?
Maybe it is just me, but I think it is all GREED! There is no egg that is worth that kind of money!
Not the mention, all the farmers around here know that I am hatching the eggs...because I am not scarred to let them know what I am doing.
And both farmers even call me right away when i ask for eggs. Most times i get them still warm from being laid!
And the 2 big farmers here sell there quality hens and roos for $5-10 at 12-18 months old and bring in the chicks that they are hatching!

 

[ChickBond 007]

Quote:
agreed. You're lucky to be in that proximity. It is not that way everywhere.

 

[greenfamilyfarms]

Quote:
Like some have mentioned, you should consider yourself fortunate to have that kind of opportunity. Yes, I do think it is ok to charge extra if a person is going to hatch them, especially if the person is taking the time to breed their birds towards the standard of perfection. It takes a lot of time and money to breed quality birds of any breed. If it is a backyard breeder with hatchery birds that just has chickens just for the eggs, I don't see a problem with charging for less, just as long as they are making something that can go towards the feed bill. If you want hatchery birds and don't mind the mediocre quality, go for it. They are cheaper and some even lay better, but many do not meet the breed standards.