Is it safe to buy eggs to hatch online?

[clr1216]

I am considering buying some hatching eggs off Ebay. I have never done this and was wondering how safe it is. I don't want to put my existing flock in any kind of danger of diseases. I just wanted some tips and advice from someone who has done it. I don't think they have an npip certification. It is not a hatchery, just an individual selling hatching eggs.

 

[GitaBooks]

It depends. There are risks (certain diseases can be passed from the mother to the egg/chick), more so then buying from a hatchery, but a lot of people do it without a problem. I just bought some a couple weeks ago and they are incubating right now. Shipped eggs are delicate, so make sure they are handled with care while in the incubator. Mine have detached yolksacs and must be propped up during incubation. However, all of them are fertile and I can't wait to see how many hatch!

Best of luck!